{"id":3388,"date":"2022-07-19T09:40:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-19T08:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/?p=3388"},"modified":"2023-09-13T14:24:56","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T13:24:56","slug":"how-to-photograph-northern-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/how-to-photograph-northern-lights\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Photograph the Northern Lights with a Smartphone or Camera"},"content":{"rendered":"

Iceland<\/a>, the land of fire and ice, is every adventurer\u2019s dream destination for an epic tour. Ask any globetrotter about their wishlist, and you will surely find out that Iceland is on there, probably at the top! Volcanoes, glaciers, black volcano-sand beaches, and the northern lights are all teasers to the start of all great adventures. That being said, if you do your research and follow these essential tips for where to take the best photos in Iceland, you\u2019ll end up with incredible photos that you will cherish for a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n

\"Northern<\/p>\n

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iPhone\/Smartphone apps for northern lights photography<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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  1. Northern Lights Photo Taker App ( Apple iOS<\/a> )<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Cortex Camera ( Apple iOS<\/a> \/ Android<\/a> )<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. NightCap Pro ( Apple iOS<\/a> )<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

    Iceland Northern Lights<\/a> photography tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    If you are aiming to take professional photos, regardless of what you are using, you need to have at least a few basic pieces of equipment at hand during your solo travels or multi-day tour. Remember, poor weather conditions will influence the quality of your photos, so you need to make sure that, once again, you take all the necessary safety measures.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Iceland
    Iceland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    #1 Tripod<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    As you’ll witness the northern lights during nighttime, long exposure shots are a must; the camera needs to stay still for quite some time. This is the moment when a tripod will come in handy. Add the freezing temperatures into this equation, and there is no room left for doubt that a tripod is a must! A quick<\/span> tip: stay away from the carbon fiber tripods, as they break easily when temperatures are low.<\/span><\/p>\n

    #2 Digital camera, DLSR, or smartphone<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Whether it is a DSLR camera or a smartphone, with the right settings adjusted accordingly, you will be able to <\/span>take astounding shots of the northern lights<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

    #3 Lenses<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The wider the lens, the more of the sky you can capture. Don\u2019t forget to bring a wipe to take off the moisture and frost from time to time. It might sound like something extra to pack or worry about, but trust us, it’s worth it!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    #4 Batteries<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    You will need spare batteries or a portable power bank. Store these in a warm place, as they tend to discharge much faster at cold temperatures. Ideally, you want your camera or phone to be fully charged when you reach your destination, but those few spare batteries or power banks could save not only your evening but your entire trip. After all, we’d hate for you to go to all this effort just to then lose power on your batteries. <\/span>You might not win any awards shooting the Aurora Borealis with your iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, but you can definitely document the experience as I did with my iPhone 6s. Again, you’ll need a tripod or mount of some kind to keep your phone steady for the needed long exposure. Try using an app like Slow Shutter or Cortex Cam to get a long exposure time. I am hopeful the new camera upgrades with the iPhone 7 will make the results even better. – Jen Pollack Bianco, My Life Is A Trip<\/a><\/p>\n