A good northern lights display can span a large portion of the sky, so when looking for the perfect focal length there is no doubt you should be looking for a wide-angle lens.
If using lenses with aperture of f/2.8 or f/4, it forces you to use a very high ISO that can leave your images looking too grainy or you must use very long shutter speed.
You might use a shutter speed from 1 to 5 seconds - between 15 and 20 seconds the stars in the night sky will be clear and without star trails and difficult if taking photo from a moving ship.
A tripod and timed trigger to ensure a stable camera
Also bring extra batteries to ensure that the camera has enough power in the cold winter where the capacity of batteries is greatly reduced.Before my Hurtigruten 'Hunting the Northern Lights voyage I practised taking pictures of the night sky.
Normally, when I take pictures, I'm using auto mode, but unfortunately it will not work when taking pictures of the northern lights.
I did practice manual mode in order to control the technical aspects of my camera to get the right exposure of the photos.
Some pictures from our journey in January 2019:
Day 4 in Lofoten - the Aurora Borealis was visible from 9:00 pm in 40 minutes while we were docked in Svolvær. Pictures from the bow of Trollfjord when docked in Svolvær...
... and again two hours later when sailing in the northern part of Raftsundet along Hinnøya.
Pictures from the Bow deck of Trollfjord when sailing north.
Day 6 for 45 minutes when we approached Berlevåg at 10 pm - lights were visible on 45 minutes.
Pictures from deck 9 on Trollfjord when sailing.
A night at the Snow hotel in Kirkenes - Northern lights visible 20 minutes at 9 pm
Normally, when I take pictures, I'm using auto mode, but unfortunately it will not work when taking pictures of the northern lights.
I did practice manual mode in order to control the technical aspects of my camera to get the right exposure of the photos.
- I used ISO settings in the range of 1600-3200. High ISO (sensitivity) is required to be able to capture the colours of the aurora. Raising the ISO will allow to capture a higher quality photograph because it's possible to use a faster shutter speed and smaller aperture (a larger aperture number) to get a sharper scene. However, when ISO is increased “digital noise” will be introduced to the image.
- I used a shutter speed from 1 to 5 seconds - between 15 and 20 seconds the stars in the night sky will be clear and without star trails.
- I'm using a tripod and timed trigger trigger to ensure a stable camera
- Also bring extra batteries to ensure that the camera has enough power in the cold winter.
Day 4 in Lofoten - the Aurora Borealis was visible from 9:00 pm in 40 minutes while we were docked in Svolvær. Pictures from the bow of Trollfjord when docked in Svolvær...
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... and again two hours later when sailing in the northern part of Raftsundet along Hinnøya.
Pictures from the Bow deck of Trollfjord when sailing north.
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Day 6 for 45 minutes when we approached Berlevåg at 10 pm - lights were visible on 45 minutes.
Pictures from deck 9 on Trollfjord when sailing.
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A night at the Snow hotel in Kirkenes - Northern lights visible 20 minutes at 9 pm
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