BEST Settings for Northern Lights lights Photography | Beginners Guide

[@davidstewart9211]

As a person that tries to shoot the Aurora every chance that I can, I think that you did a very good entry level video. I have 3 full frame digital cameras with prime or f2.8 zooms that I use. I do not pay attention to the 500 rule as I try to keep my exposures as short as possible, less than 4 seconds. I have captured the Aurora when the kp was 1, I couldn't see it, but my camera sensor did. It is not necessary to go to exotic locations for Aurora photograph, just get as far north as you can, hope for good weather, have a point of interest in the foreground. I use the Aurora Pro as it will give me a long term forecast for maximum kp up to 3 weeks in advance, this gives you lots of time to get yourself located. I have a travel trailer and mid August into October are prime months for using it. I live in Alberta, Canada. I need a kp of 4 to see it in Calgary, kp of 3 to see it in Edmonton and a kp of 2 to see it in the town of Slave Lake, all within a 6 hour drive. Get out and shoot, you may see it, if you stay home, you will miss it for sure.

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Yeah, this is for sure a very basic video and just helping people to try and get an image, the ones that are not so professional when it comes to capturing the night sky. I agree I try and run my shutter between 5-10seconds also to capture the movement of the Aurora which to me is the unique part of it! Wow, you're so lucky to live where you do some people dream of doing what you do, so enjoy it while you have the chance! :D

[@davidstewart9211]

@@matthewstorerphotography Another thing that I do is to use the intervalometer on my cameras. I will set them up on a tripod and aim them to where the Aurora is at the moment and take a shot every 20 to 30 seconds. I will do this with multiple cameras and multiple focal lengths, at the same time and monitor them all, from a safe warm place. One of my favourite locations is a bison paddock. It is that dark that you cannot see the bison, but my camera sensor can. As the Aurora changes position, I will reorientate the camera.

[@matthewstorerphotography]

That is amazing!! Such a cool story and yes you have made me 100% jealous hahaha

[@brianbrooking496]

Love the video, and loved the shooting star at 16:43 (top right corner)- great advice. And take spare batteries and keep them warm by keeping them close to your body. A flask of coffee, a head torch... Tromsø is beautiful.

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Thank you so much 😀

[@MultiMohe]

am an aurora hunter for 3 years now . and this accually helpful . thank you . love from Murmansk Russia

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Glad that I could help :D

[@ziqiangwang537]

so it is difficult to see aurora in murmansk!

[@johngeelen]

great work learned a bunch thank you

[@TonySaunders]

I think the advise about not just focusing on the pictures is the greatest advise yet. The first 5 or 6 times I witnessed the aurora I didn't get to experience them because I was too busy with the camera! On the next trip I didn't even take a camera and that was when they really blew me away. But not everyone is lucky enough to live where I do and they may well miss the experience if they dont follow your advise.

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Thanks so much tony, really appreciate this :D super lucky to see them as much as you get to witness them :D

[@TonySaunders]

@@matthewstorerphotography looks likely I'll see the dancing lady again tonight, for the third night in a row! I have no regrets about my move to Iceland.

[@matthewstorerphotography]

@@TonySaunders wow I am jealous. Be my dream one day to visit Iceland. Lol I just a notification that the Aurora will be visible tonight with clear skies haha... so lucky to be in Iceland mate!

[@TonySaunders]

@@matthewstorerphotography if you ever do visit let me know. If your in need of some free accommodation I can certainly help out with that. Plus after a year here I've got to know some good locations.

[@encouragesolutions2595]

@@TonySaunders Hi Tony. We're going early October to Iceland. Is that, on average, a good or bad time? Do you have any preferred good locations?

[@bobtaylor364]

Really interesting video, thank you. I live in NE Scotland and have never seen the Northern Lights! Doesn't stop me trying, and one day I will, your instructions here are really useful for that day!

[@franglaisadventure]

Saw them last night in Stirling! If you are reading this, they are due again tonight 27/02/2023! Get out there and enjoy xD

[@lauracooke7690]

Thanks for posting this. I am off to Tromso at the end of September in search of the northern lights. This go to guide is so helpful ❤

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Wow wow wow love the end part great tips. Images a dream. But for me watching the light change while you was talking was real time oh my god wicked

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Thanks so much Paul! Was an epic night to go and photograph explaining how to photograph the Northern Lights. Looking at my 2020 plans fo will stay in touch

[@jenniferlee8420]

Thanks for the helpful tips of the setting for the Northern lights photos. Could you please share the places in Tromso for seeing the aurora borealis as well? Thank you very much!

[@kellybob5657]

Great video, heading off to Iceland next week. Thank you

[@quarkyman1]

Stunning image Matt and invaluable info, hope you have a very rewarding 2020 all the best mate. Mike

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Thanks so much mate comments such as this mean the world to me! All the best in 2020 and hopefully I can continue to give you more and more information!

[@VloeiendVlaams]

Thank you so much for this video. I live in Finland and will go on aurora hunting this winter.

[@gwenandersen]

Fantastic. Very helpful, very clear. Thank you.

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AdrianWingate2010]

Can you please make a video purely about Photopills and Northern Lights. I was trying to watch what you were doing on the screen, but it wasn't easy

[@codyLady62]

Happy New Matt, Hope you have a great and successful 2020. Regards Rob

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Thanks so much Robbie for ALL your support in the last 12 months. Been a tough year and really appreciate people such as yourself sticking around! Have a blast and goodluck for 2020

[@kenny.monroe58]

I'm using the Samyang 12mm f2 lens on my X-t1 to capture the northern lights. Don't have to worry about the cold, since the lights can be seen well into the northern United States. I'll be shooting about a mile north of my house.

[@horseman621]

Great video, very good way to talk to the people and make them understand. I subscribed. I have same camera and lens, any special place to suggest outside Tromso ? Where is that amazing beach ? On the way to Kvaløyvagen ?

[@drfaizan]

Thanks for your tips, it's took some of my anxiety away. I'm travelling to Fairbanks Alaska in a week's time and wasn't sure if i would get it right specially when the whole trip is planned around capturing northern lights. I've had my luck with milky ways but NL seem a whole different ball game. I'm going to use Canon M50 mark II, with EF-M15-45mm lens f/3.5-6.3, any tips you may have> Thanks and Cheers

[@RealLifesJourneyBecomingPinoy]

Awesome stuff, thank you

[@teejaymariano8695]

these are awesome tips! thanks so much! subscribed!

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Craigslistmist]

Just fantastic!! Thanks dude…

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Glad you liked it!

[@robmowe8090]

Thanks Matthew. I'm off to Finland for a few months. Got my X-T30. Hopefully, my 18-55mm lens will be good enough to get some Aurora shots.

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Best of luck!

[@peterthrun2768]

Thanks for the tips, I have handheld many times(good advice about tripod) and don't generally think about background(will do so now). My only question is about time laps, would you suggest it vs trying to video?

[@MiamiVPG]

Awesome video. thank you. Going to Iceland for Christmas 2021 and plan to photograph the Northern Lights.

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Thanks buddy - appreciate it!

[@encouragesolutions2595]

Hi Matthew. You make it look so simple. One thing from me. I have an old camera [Nikon D200 with Nikon DX AF-NIKKOR 18-55mm 1.35-5.6G lens]. Is it possible to get a good quality shot from that?

[@skwerl81]

I have similar, and the answer Is absolutely yes! I've even been able to take semi decent shots with my cell phone! So you will be in good shape 👍

[@Thephysiquemechanic]

I'm headed to Lofoten and Tromso first week of September. Do you do tours anytime around there? Thanks for a Great video

[@lyu23]

Thank you so much!

[@lukas-ln4ri]

was there a shooting star at 18:09?

[@yvonnehaskett3466]

Hi Matt - I am a beginner going out to Churchill, Manitoba later this year so your advice on taking pics of the Northern Lights has been really interesting and helpful thank you! One quick question - i'm concerned i'm going to get blurry images if the shutter speed is too slow - how can i combat this please?

[@pg-jd7vr]

use a tripod, and a remote shutter

[@yvonnehaskett3466]

@@pg-jd7vr Thanks that's great - i was going to get both anyway so at least I'm on the right track! Thanks again for all your advice.

[@edwardbate896]

Hi Matt, I’ve recently bought an XT3 and the 12mm lens and when looking to take a photo everything is blurry and I can’t seem to focus the lens. Just wondering if I missing an important step on my camera set up?

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Without being there not sure, but maybe try it during the day and using the zoom on the LCD to 100% nail focus? This video may help? kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXbCdIasjqusibc

[@brightideasphotography]

A common problem is forgetting to adjust the diopter adjustment in the view finder. That's an easy fix, if that's the problem. Don't laugh, it's happened to me.

[@ziqiangwang537]

is 10s too long that aurora will move around that blur the camera image? or they are insignificant in terms of position? from the videos it seems they change in seconds.

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Yeah it totally depends how fast they are moving, some move slow and some are so fast. This needs to change around the speed of the Aurora,

[@misha4422]

Watching this video the aurora changed so much during an active time that 10 seconds would smear the details. Depending on how active the aurora, I’d aim at a faster shutter speed, if possible.

[@Mrjess21]

Hi Matthew. Visit Kyrgyzstan. Amazing landscaping

[@matthewstorerphotography]

I have been twice! I love it and have some videos from the country already

[@GepieNL]

make a wish @13:58!

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Hahaha yeah seen that looks really cool

[@Shoaib_Khan85]

@16:41..... Falling star in the upper right corner. Did anyone else notice?

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Good job!

[@AZTEC_ARTS2023]

So the higher the KP (0 to ? scale) ... better chances of seeing them ?

[@skwerl81]

Kp 0-9, and the short answer is yes (bc indicates a geomagnetic storm), BUT there are several other factors that have a big impact as well. Not to mention clouds and moon lol

[@damzkepinski5829]

16:42 u have a falling meteor on the upper right

[@brydon-halohunter]

Anyone else see how he juuust missed the shooting star at 13:59

[@frankkjllefjord446]

I didn't get the 500 rule at all, maybe someone can translate it into n00b and in Norwegian?

[@1Ruh2Another]

What are the best cameras for capturing the northern lights?

[@matthewstorerphotography]

Did you watch the video? haha