Few photography experiences compare to standing beneath a sky illuminated by the northern lights.

The colors shift above, while below the landscape transforms. And for a moment, the night sky becomes a constantly changing canvas of green, purple, and red lights twisting together amongst the stars, over the treetops dusted with snow.

But, as I am sure you’re aware, dear reader, photographing the aurora is very different from photographing in daylight!

The conditions are much more challenging. The environment is unpredictable. And knowing your camera settings before the lights appear can make the difference between coming home with a blurry memory and a photograph that captures the true magic of the moment.

A northern lights photography tour gives photographers the opportunity to experience this phenomenon with expert guidance, carefully selected locations, and the flexibility needed to make the most of changing conditions.

Whether you are photographing the aurora for the first time or looking to improve your night photography skills, understanding the right equipment and techniques is the first step.

Why Photographing the Northern Lights Is So Challenging

The northern lights are constantly moving and changing.

Unlike a mountain landscape that stays relatively consistent, the aurora can appear suddenly, disappear quickly, and shift intensity within minutes.

Photographers must balance several factors:

• Limited available light

• Moving subjects in the sky

• Changing weather conditions

• Cold temperatures affecting equipment

• The desire to capture both the aurora and the surrounding landscape

Successful aurora photography requires preparation, forecasting and adaptability.

That is why many photographers choose a guided northern lights photography tour. Having an experienced guide who understands weather patterns, aurora forecasts, and ideal shooting locations allows photographers to spend less time troubleshooting and more time shooting images!

Essential Camera Gear for Northern Lights Photography

Camera Body

A camera with strong low-light performance, something that shoots with the least noise at a high ISO, is ideal for northern lights photography.

Modern mirrorless and DSLR cameras perform well because they allow manual control over:

• ISO

• Shutter speed

• Aperture

• Focus

Shooting in RAW format is also highly recommended because it provides greater flexibility when editing your final images. Shooting RAW allows for that greater control by collecting the most unprocessed sensor data – shooting in other modes overlays a logarithmic curves. These curves serve a purpose, when applicable, packing photo data into smaller file sizes, it locks in white balance and ISO. But when shooting the aurora, you want the most freedom to adjust the image in post to bring out the true colors through grading and editing.


Some good examples of some camera bodies to consider before your next expedition under the stars:

• Canon 1DX Mark II

• Canon 5D Mark IV

• Canon R6 Mirrorless

• Canon R5 Mirrorless

• Sony A7III

• Sony A9 II

• Sony A7R III

• Sony A7 IV

• Sony A7S III

• Sony A7R V

• Nikon D6

• Nikon Z9

• Nikon D850

• Nikon Z7 II Mirrorless

• Nikon Z6 III

• Nikon Z8

Lenses to Consider
A wide-angle lens is one of the most important pieces of equipment for photographing the northern lights.

A wider field of view allows you to capture:

• The scale of the aurora

• The surrounding landscape

• Reflections on water

• Mountains, forests, or Arctic scenery beneath the sky

A lens with a wide aperture, such as f/1.4, f/1.8, or f/2.8, will also allow more light into your camera.

Some options for lenses to consider bringing along would be:

• Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8 III USM

• Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 II USM

• Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

• Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G Nikkor ED Digital SLR

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR

• Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art

• Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II

• Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

Best Camera Settings for Northern Lights Photography

While every aurora display is different, these settings provide a strong starting point!

Manual Focus
Autofocus often struggles in dark conditions. Switching your lens over to manual focus, and adjusting your camera settings will help you achieve the best Northern Lights photos under even challenging circumstances.

Some settings to consider:
Firstly, your LCD screen may become your worst enemy if its brightness is set too high – I would lower this to the darkest setting your camera body allows. Otherwise, a perfect image may look over-exposed, with the whites completely blown out not according to your histogram, but according to your on-screen photo visuals.

Speaking of your Histogram, I would set this to RGB and continuously check your exposure while photographing.

Adjust your color balance to just about anything other than auto – this will help you avoid light bouncing from photograph to photograph – in auto mode, this can make your portfolio of images you walk away with look extremely varied.

Aperture
Use the widest aperture available on your lens.
Common settings:

• f/1.4

• f/1.8

• f/2.8

A wider aperture allows more light to reach the sensor, helping capture brighter and more detailed aurora images against the dark night sky.

ISO
A typical starting range:

• ISO 800–3200

Your ideal setting depends on how bright the aurora is and how much detail you want to capture.

Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is one of the most important decisions.
For faster-moving auroras:

• 1–5 seconds

For slower, softer displays:

• 10–20 seconds

Experimenting is key because the aurora changes constantly!

Why Join a Northern Lights Photography Tour?

Photographing the aurora independently can be rewarding, but it also comes with challenges.
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Finding clear skies, understanding forecasts, navigating unfamiliar terrain, and choosing the best locations can take valuable time away from photography.

A guided northern lights photography tour removes many of those obstacles.

With Backcountry Journeys, photographers travel with experienced guides who understand how to maximize aurora opportunities. Small groups allow for more personalized instruction, better flexibility in the field, and a more immersive photography experience.

Instead of spending your evenings searching weather apps and wondering where to go, you can focus on capturing one of nature’s most incredible displays.

Prepare Your Camera. The Northern Lights Are Waiting.

The northern lights are unpredictable, but preparation creates opportunity.

With the right equipment, camera settings, and expert guidance, photographers can capture images that go far beyond a simple snapshot.
They can preserve the feeling of standing beneath an Arctic sky alive with color.

A northern lights photography tour is not just about seeing the aurora.

It is about learning how to photograph it!