5 Rookie Mistakes and How to Avoid Them - Northern Lights Photography Tips

We see a lot of rookie mistakes when it comes to Northern Lights Photography. In this video we're going to cover 5 Rookie Mistakes and give you tips on How to Avoid Them.
If you'd like to learn more about Northern Lights Photography, you can join us for a workshop online, or in person at www.theaurorachasers.com/
And if you need gear suggestions, check out this video • DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TA...
And Visit our Kits page here. kit.co/TheAuroraChasers
Let us know if you have any questions and we'll do our best to answer them in the comments or in future videos.

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Thanks for watching everyone and let us know if you have any questions. For help with your specific setup, consider joining one of our workshops. www.theaurorachasers.com/

[@davidvance2984]

Good stuff. Please keep them coming.

[@TheAuroraChasers]

@@davidvance2984 Thanks David! :-)

[@Garcia.e785]

Came in handy for this amazing solar storm. I was able to photograph them in the US South last night. Thank you.

[@bhov2493]

Same, saw them in the Northern US last night

[@Turfnbirds]

“Newtons Rings!!” Exactly the information I was looking for. Cheers!

[@exhibitdesign901]

I certainly did learn! Thank you!

[@viajandopuravida9463]

Fantastic tutorial!!! thank you so much!!

[@dorothy9014]

thanks for the info.

[@tabbypressNorrieFranko]

Thank you! Very informative.

[@davyps8273]

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. Very helpful.

[@GhazaliAziz]

Thank you for sharing the tips !!!! I really wish one day I will be able to catch one !

[@globally123]

I definitely learned a few tips thanks mate.

[@rhondamorrissey1112]

Such a wonderfully helpful video. Thankyou

[@michellerice5405]

Thank you so much!

[@globally123]

Great video thanks for the tips cheers

[@silawattaobkk1968]

That's really helping me.

[@MediocrePirate]

Thank you, what was very useful!

[@ExplorewithChoo]

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I’m a beginner and I went out and shot the aurora but my stars were blurry, as you mentioned. I had forgotten to turn on the LCD and I wasn’t using the viewfinder so I was shooting blindly!! This tutorial gives more helpful tips in a short time than the long videos I’ve seen where I’ve learned very little. I would love to join you for your online class. Thank you.

[@yvonnehaskett3466]

Thanks so much for this really informative video! I'm a beginner and am going to (hopefully!) photograph the Northern Lights later this year in Churchill. I really wanted to have some pointers to try to get the best pictures and your info has been so helpful!

[@jimwhite7546]

Coming to Fairbanks for 14 days at the end of August 2023. I have a lot to learn for photographing the Northern Lights before then. Thanks for this video

[@bellaireboy6782]

Nice work!

[@phila3884]

Hey, not a newbie, but really liked your simple explanation of long-exposure noise reduction and why it is not desirable when shooting northern lights. I've followed your posts on Aurora Notifications too- keep up the good work!

[@kathyscutt6744]

Thanks. I'm heading to Iceland and will try out your suggestions.

[@maryclementsthomas7275]

Good tips thanks for the info.h

[@CAPaez21]

Awesome tips! I am traveling to Norway this week and will ruse these tips!

[@Sandra-Ross]

Awesome quick and informative clip, thanks, I want to visit in December this year, Ill look into your tours, would be happy to book with you guys.

[@semmu93]

this is a very good video with actually practical tips, unlike other videos here on youtube. thanks!

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jorowan1]

Thank you! Watching at 7:31 am on Feb 5-going to Norway

[@mariohhm]

Very good material! Congrats! I wish I could have watched this video three weeks ago 😅 I didn't know about the filter problem and now I know what caused those circular lines on my photos: my so dear UV filter... New lesson learned. Thanks 👍

[@randykiel2318]

This was so helpful. I will continue to learn from your channel for sure. Northern lights here we come !

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@judytailby6209]

Oh, wow thank you I was trying to figure out the hot and cold pixels! You nailed it thank you! I have asked several people and photographers and know one understands what I’m asking, they look at me like I’m crazy until I pointed it out in a printed photo, now they get it but no fix until now! Thank You hot and cold flashes over ❤

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Glad I could help!

[@bushcraftandastronomer.3775]

Last week I photographed the northern lights with the Huawei p40 smartphone when the big storm came! I just didn't expect to get the aurora on the phone and it's superb shot! I've always wanted to photograph the aurora with a smartphone and Huawei phone cameras are fantastic. Hope you got lots of shots and videos of last week's big displays! It was awesome! Seeing it in alaska will be awesome when I visit and you be my guide. Stay safe buddy!

[@thomasschneider3876]

Thanks Ronn, another great video. Changing focal length on my wide angle (non-Canon) lenses resulting in loss of focus, certainly explains "fuzzy" stars!

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Thanks Tom! Hope this helps with that.

[@philipevensen7243]

Great vid!

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Thanks Philip!

[@shannondrewelow]

This veteran learned a few things like long exposure noise reduction and to try more vertical shooting. Can’t wait till you two can go back to your Aurora tours! 💚💜

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Thanks Shannon! Always glad when we can teach the veterans something new. :-)

[@JakeStehliChaser]

Awesome video. Would love a video on what the best settings and techniques for shooting northern light video and best techniques using noise reduction software , if any. (For capable cameras such as the a7s series and Panasonic s1, etc. Thanks!)

[@mikemalloy1681]

I have been photographing a long time and do milkyway photography and I learned a lot. Especially about taking OFF your noise reduction (Nikon speak). I am interested in your tour in the Spring. They say that the best time for aurora is around the equinox? So, for me it would be around March. My only problem is what about the clouds? I am in Texas, and would hate to spend a boodle of money only to have it snow the whole time I was there.

[@forgetit47]

appreciate your in-depth explaninations !! Thank you. I have a question, do polarizers have the same issue as normal glass filters with the Newton rings ?? Is the viewing enhanced/changed with a polarizing filter ??

[@drfaizan]

Hi, i watched so many videos to learn how to take photos of milky way or Auroras, but no one talked about noise reduction or slow-shutter or turning image stabilization off at least the ones i watched. Great and very concise yet comprehensive video, thank you for that. Your video convinces me of your knowledge. I'm going to Alaska nest month (March 11th-19th 2024), I own an M50 Canon Mirrorless camera, and wondering what kind of lens would you most recommend and settings for a time lapse video of the northern lights. I would really appreciate your advise.

[@tonycuriel5948]

Awesome video! Thank you 🙏🏼 any advice on settings for a Nikon - D3500 DSLR with AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR?

[@christinachen6310]

Thank you for the tips! Any suggestions on a good, yet affordable tripod for winter photography in Fairbanks? I’m new at photography. Thanks!

[@suitcasejunkies8719]

I will be in Iceland this Saturday Feb 20th. I appreciate the video, it was very helpful. Question, what should my iso be to photograph the NL?

[@bamsemh1]

Why pencil and notepad, when we have you here on KZbin 😉 hopefully I'll be able to use some tips for my vacation in the Faroe Islands next month 🤞

[@jamesm9560]

Wow first person ever to explain wth Long Exposure Noise Reduction is, how it works, and when to use it.

[@ziqiangwang537]

what are settings from your photos, exposure time, f stop and what lens? what do you use in the dark sky for focus setting, the stars? is that too far away from where aurora happens? on manual mode the magnifying feature may not work.

[@kendelleelliott5644]

Ronn, I just watched, I don’t see the link to the SAturday classes to set up individual cameras. I would love to do this. We are going to the Yukon Jan 27 and I want to make sure I am more than ready. Thanks!!! Kendelle

[@chrishart8251]

Thanks Ronn! Great video with lots of info! Can't wait to head up there next weekend!! Any suggestions on recording or time lapse of the aurora for beginners?

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Hey Thanks Chris. What camera/lens are you using?

[@chrishart8251]

@@TheAuroraChasers Canon 5D mkii with 14mm f2.8 Rokinon.

[@TheAuroraChasers]

@@chrishart8251 Gotcha! Shot an awful lot of Aurora images with that combo. You won't be able to film it with that but you can do time lapse. If you have an intervolometer, decide your shutter time in camera, then set the interval to 1-2 seconds longer just to give a little time for processing. Make sure that Long Exposure NR is turned off.

[@chrishart8251]

@@TheAuroraChasers Perfect! Thank you! Almost time to upgrade to that Sony though!! One day! Any good spots off the beaten path up there?

[@TheAuroraChasers]

@@chrishart8251 Not off the beaten path necessarily, but this time of year, Chena Lakes is a great bet for some reflections shots.

[@dzllz]

Great video! Hope to go to Lapland, Finland soon to capture the lights. Where are you from?

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Thanks dzl! Lapland is on our bucket list too. We are from Fairbanks, Alaska. :-) Guessing you're in Europe?

[@phanterleo]

Takes notes: remember that photography is basically light science and auroras are extra spicy light science. 😇 Just kidding - great, informative video! I live in Central Europe so no way of applying this knowledge soon but I sincerely hope to make it to a location in the Aurora oval around the next solar maximum 2025 and this video is going in my photography Tipps playlist for future reference.

[@bmi1967]

Thank you for your very informative video. I definitely learned a lot. You answered my question on filters.

[@beegee2234]

very useful video. Quick question: is there any role for a polarising filter with the northern lights?

[@TheAuroraChasers]

No, it will saturate colors a bit more but also robs almost a stop of light.

[@bamsemh1]

How about IS in windy weather? Won't it counter it if it's on horizontal IS?

[@12388753]

I live in southern Norway (Agder), and I have tried to take pictures of the northern lights (the few times we get strong auroras). I always end up getting bad pictures, and usually it looks way weaker in the pictures than what it actually was. I am using my phone (Samsung Xcover 4). Am I doing something wrong, or do I need a better camera/phone? I have not touched the settings :) In advance, thanks :)

[@lhor428]

How to set up a LEICA D-LUX 109 point & shoot for the aurora? Thanks.

[@yellowkamper84]

Olympus has a auto Star focus setting

[@filipecanongia6262]

Hey man, I checked about the book a 6h guide, but I saw goes until 24th October, and I’m pretending to be there at first week November, I’m not able to see the northern lights at this time? Or are you on vacation?

[@jeffsimms3611]

I have a 1D mark iv, I'd like to take video of the aroura, but with camera I can't, I'm going to purchase the 1Dx mark iii, do you know if this will take video of the aroura?

[@seanallan4087]

I have watched a few videos now and no one mentions white balance…. Thanks for all the other great tips,!

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Thanks Sean and glad you found it helpful.

[@patriciawestaway4972]

Hi will be in Fairbanks first week o January 2023. Could you please send me a link for excursions you do? Thanks. Loved you KZbin

[@leonilajoseph4665]

Hi Ronn.. thanks for your informative video....to be honest I dont have the kind of camer you've.mention on your video.. good cameras.... . The only thing I've got Huawei P30 smartphone.. I'll.appreciated very much if you have an.ideA. regarding the setting camerA of Huawei P30 for northern lights.... thank you so much... be safe... winnipeg.manitoba canada.😀

[@BoldFollower]

What does a shutter release do?

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Allows you to trigger the shutter without physically touching the camera

[@JacqueRescues]

Liked ✔️ Subscribed ✔️ Comment ✔️ I hope my phone will do 😁

[@TheAuroraChasers]

Much appreciated Jacque! 😁

[@1dcr1s1s]

Golden Ratio composition is a myth

[@TheAuroraChasers]

You’re a myth! 😂

[@1dcr1s1s]

@@TheAuroraChasers Priceless answer. lol

[@mollylemonk]

What an amazing phenotype. Don't waste your DNA mate! I used to shoot 35mm in underground settings. Love long exposures. Good video, thanks.

[@patrickhin4301]

What was your exposure settings?