How to Capture the Northern Lights with Your Phone: 1 Minute to Mastering Night Photography of the Aurora Borealis

Capturing the northern lights with your phone can be both thrilling and surprisingly effective, even without a professional camera. Modern smartphones are equipped with advanced sensors that can handle low-light situations, but a little preparation goes a long way. Start by finding a location away from city lights; rural areas or wilderness spots offer the darkest skies and best visibility. Next, use a tripod or steady surface—this is crucial since long exposures will blur if there’s any movement. Turn off your flash, set your camera to night or pro mode (if available), and manually adjust settings: use a low ISO (around 400–800), lengthen the exposure (between 2 and 10 seconds), and set the focus to infinity. If your phone supports RAW photos, enable that setting for the best editing flexibility afterward. Once you’re set up, experiment with angles and composition—frame the aurora against trees, mountains, or lakes for an even more dynamic shot. Finally, as a designer, I always recommend thinking about how these images will fit into your living or working spaces. Imagine displaying your aurora photos in a stunning gallery wall or integrating them into a digital artwork for your living room. To visualize how these images might fit into your home decor, tools like a 3D Render Home planner can be invaluable for previewing and curating the perfect ambiance.

Tips 1:

Use a remote shutter or your phone’s timer function to prevent shaking the device when capturing long exposures, resulting in clearer images.

FAQ

Q: Can I capture the northern lights on any smartphone?

A: Most modern smartphones can capture them, especially if they have a night or pro mode, but newer models with better low-light performance yield superior results.

Q: What settings are best for photographing the northern lights on a phone?

A: Use night/pro mode, set ISO to 400–800, exposure to 2–10 seconds, and focus to infinity for sharp and bright images.

Q: Do I need a tripod for northern lights photography with my phone?

A: Yes, a tripod or stable surface is essential to maintain sharpness during long exposure shots.

Q: Should I edit my northern lights photos taken with a phone?

A: Editing can help enhance colors and reduce noise—using RAW files provides greater flexibility for adjustments.

Q: What's the best app for night sky photography on smartphones?

A: Apps like Adobe Lightroom Mobile, ProCam, or Camera FV-5 offer advanced manual controls suitable for aurora photography.