To see and photograph the Northern Lights with an iPhone, follow these key steps:
- Use Night Mode:
- Open your iPhone's Camera app and select "Night Mode." This mode keeps the camera sensor open longer to capture more light, essential for low-light scenes like the Northern Lights.
- Night Mode is available on iPhone 12 and later models.
- Adjust Shutter Speed (Exposure Time):
- Tap the arrow at the top center of the Camera app to reveal extra settings.
- Find the Night Mode slider and slide it to the maximum to extend the shutter speed.
- With a tripod, you can shoot up to 30-second exposures, which produces the best quality shots.
- Without a tripod, the maximum might be shorter (around 10 seconds), so keep your phone steady.
- Turn Off Flash:
- Flash must be off; it won't help for Northern Lights photography and will ruin the shot.
- Increase Exposure if Needed:
- You can manually increase exposure by tapping the screen and sliding your finger up to brighten the image.
- If the Northern Lights appear faint, try adjusting exposure time settings.
- Use a Tripod:
- To avoid blurry photos during long exposure, stabilize your iPhone on a tripod or steady surface.
- Choose the Right Location and Time:
- Go to a dark location with minimal light pollution, clear skies, and good aurora activity forecasts.
- Apps such as Aurora Forecast or Aurora Alerts can help track the best times.
- Practice and Patience:
- Take multiple shots with different settings and review results to get the best capture.
Bonus tips:
- Disable screen brightness to preserve night vision.
- Dress warmly as Northern Lights are best viewed in cold, dark nights.
This process allows you to capture surprisingly good photos of the Northern Lights with just your iPhone, particularly from iPhone 12 onwards equipped with Night Mode and longer exposure settings. Using a tripod and maximizing exposure time to 30 seconds will give the clearest and most vivid images of this natural spectacle.
