How to Take Pictures of the Northern Lights with iPhone: Fast-Track Guide to Capturing Stunning Aurora Images

Capturing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) on your iPhone is a magical challenge that’s become far more accessible thanks to recent advances in smartphone camera technology. Whether you’re standing under the swirling green sky in Norway or Alaska, here’s a step-by-step guide to getting those elusive, vibrant shots with your iPhone—no fancy DSLR required.

1. Use a tripod or stabilize your phone. The Northern Lights are usually faint and require longer exposure times. Setting your iPhone on a tripod or a stable surface prevents blurry photos caused by shaky hands.

2. Turn off the flash and set exposure manually. Open your iPhone camera, tap the screen where the lights are most visible, then swipe up or down to adjust the exposure. Avoid using the flash—it only brightens the foreground, not the sky.

3. Use Night Mode or a third-party camera app. If you have an iPhone 11 or newer, the native camera app’s “Night Mode” helps capture more light for better clarity. For older models, consider apps like “ProCamera” or “Slow Shutter Cam” that let you control ISO and exposure time manually for up to 30 seconds.

4. Increase ISO and prolong exposure time. Higher ISO makes the sensor more sensitive to light—try ISO 800 or above. Combine with a longer exposure time (the maximum your app or device allows) to ensure the aurora shows up clearly.

5. Use the timer function. Activate the camera timer (3-10 seconds) to minimize any movement caused by tapping the shutter, reducing blurriness in low-light conditions.

6. Shoot RAW (if available). Some third-party apps let you capture RAW images, which retain more detail—vital for editing and enhancing aurora colors later.

As a designer, I always encourage adjusting the grid or overlay in your camera settings to line up the horizon and create visually balanced shots. Just like planning an interior layout, photography is about composition—consider the foreground and surrounding landscape to create context, not just record the sky. If you’d like to storyboard your photo explorations or visualize scenes before your trip, you can try a Home Designer tool for similar principles of spatial design and balance.

Tips 1:

Practice beforehand in low-light environments to get comfortable with your phone’s manual controls—experiment with exposure and ISO on night cityscapes or starry skies.

FAQ

Q: Can I capture the Northern Lights without special apps?

A: Yes, newer iPhones with Night Mode perform well, but third-party apps offer more control over exposure and ISO, improving results in extreme conditions.

Q: What’s the best time to photograph the aurora?

A: Peak viewing times are typically between 10 pm and 2 am during the winter months, with clear, dark skies away from city lights.

Q: How do I avoid blurry aurora photos?

A: Use a tripod or stable surface, enable the timer, and minimize touching the phone when the shutter activates.

Q: Will Live Photos or video work for Northern Lights?

A: Live Photos generally don’t last long enough to capture faint auroras well, but video (with high ISO and exposure settings) may capture highly active, bright displays.

Q: How do I edit Northern Lights photos on my iPhone?

A: Use editing tools to adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation. Apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile are great for enhancing aurora colors and details.

Q: Do I need the latest iPhone for aurora photography?

A: While newer models have better low-light performance, even older iPhones can capture auroras with the right apps and techniques.