How to photograph the Northern Lights with a smartphone?

Most people who see the Northern Lights prefer to take their own images of them. After all, nothing beats having your own pictures to share with your friends and loved ones.

Fortunately, it's very easy nowadays. Even smartphone cameras have become sufficiently good to take great photos of the aurora.

However, the best option by far is a good quality DSLR or mirrorless cameras, a Nikon, Canon, Sony etc.

If you are seeing auroras for the first time, look up and enjoy the show! Don’t waste those precious few moments fiddling with your camera. Sometimes the most impressive and colourful displays only last a few minutes.

How to shoot the aurora with a smartphone?

Shooting the Northern Lights with a smartphone is very easy. Just point and shoot, literally!

iPhone:

1. Open Camera app.
2. In low-light situations, Night mode turns on automatically.
3. Tap the Shutter button and then hold your iPhone still for 3 seconds to take your shot.
4. Align the crosshairs to help reduce motion and improve the shot.
5. A beautiful image of the northern lights appears!
6. Zoom in to check how sharp the image is. Redo if it isn't sharp and try to hold the camera as still as possible, using the crosshairs.

Android:

1. Open Camera app.
2. In the Photo mode carousel, tap Night Sight.
3. Tap Capture.
4. Hold still for a few seconds while your device captures the photo.
5. Check image and redo if it isn't sharp.

More info

• iPhone iOS
• Samsung Android
• Google Pixel Android

Recommended accessories for smartphone aurora photography

• Tripod - to shoot for up to 30 seconds to reveal faint aurora and the Milky Way.
• Cell phone tripod adapter

Aurora phototour in Iceland

Interested in a Northern Lights phototour? Twice a year, we travel around Iceland with world-renowned astrophotographer Babak Tafreshi and a group of enthusiastic photographers to chase clear skies and the Northern Lights. Check out availability here.