Answer in brief: To photograph the Northern Lights, use a camera capable of manual settings, a wide-angle lens, a sturdy tripod, and plan for cold conditions. Shoot with long exposures, careful focusing, and minimal noise by balancing aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Details and practical steps

• Gear and location
  • Use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual exposure controls and a wide-angle lens (14–25 mm) to capture a broad sky, with a sturdy tripod to keep the camera still during long exposures.

* Find a dark, clear site away from artificial lights; low light pollution increases contrast and color in the aurora.

• Camera settings (starting points)
  • Mode: Manual (M) to control exposure, aperture, and ISO.

* Focus: Set focus to infinity on a distant bright object (preferably during daylight to mark the correct focus) and tape the focus ring if possible to prevent drift in the dark.

* Aperture: Use a wide aperture to maximize light capture, commonly around f/2.8 to f/4.0 depending on lens.

* Shutter speed: Start with 5–15 seconds. If the aurora is slower-moving and brighter, you can extend toward 20 seconds; if it’s quick and faint, shorten to 3–7 seconds to freeze motion.

* ISO: Begin around ISO 800–1600; raise it (e.g., to 2000–3200) if the aurora is faint, balancing noise versus brightness.

* White balance: Auto is common, or set around 3500K for a cooler night sky look; adjust after a test shot if color is off.

• Composition and technique
  • Include a foreground element (tree line, mountains, lake) to provide scale and depth; ensure the horizon and foreground are sharp by focusing first on a distant object and then on the foreground during composition checks.

* Take a few test shots and zoom in on the LCD to confirm sharp focus and correct framing; mark the focus point to avoid changes later in the night.

* Shoot in burst or take multiple frames; review and adjust settings after each shot as the aurora changes in intensity and movement.

• Extra tips
  • Turn off any flash and minimize camera shake; use a remote shutter release or the camera’s timer to avoid vibrations when pressing the shutter.

* Dress warmly and be prepared for long waits; staying comfortable helps you stay still and focused during long exposures.

* If shooting with a smartphone, use a tripod, enable night or manual mode, set ISO to 800–1600, shutter to 5–15 seconds, and focus to infinity; the same principles apply in a compact form.

• Common pitfalls to avoid
  • Do not rely on autofocus in the dark; manual focus with a distant bright star or light works best to keep stars and aurora sharp.

* Avoid too long exposures when aurora movement is fast, as stars may trail and blur the scene; adjust shutter speed to match motion.

* Avoid using flash; it defeats the purpose of long-exposure night photography and will wash out the aurora.

If you’d like, I can tailor a shooting plan for your exact location, time of night, and the gear you have (camera model, lenses, tripod type) and suggest precise exposure settings for those conditions.