STEP-BY-STEP -- How To Photograph The Northern Lights

[@curtweidner9068]

Wow! Great tutorial. After watching well over a dozen other how to's on the aurora this was by far the best, most thorough and practical one I've seen. Good job sir, good job.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

so glad you liked it... spread it around

[@rannikkolainen_]

What an amazing set of advice! Thank you so much :)

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

So glad you liked it... good luck

[@saramarion4423]

Thank you, Jeff. I learned so many things I will put to use next month in Norway. My photos of the aurora from last year would have been infinitely better if I had found this video first. However... maybe I needed the year to grow into a better skill set to understand exactly what you are saying. The information on taking your camera in from hours around the zero mark makes me realize I must have had guardian angels protecting my gear! Much appreciated!!!

[@jeffschultz8154]

SO VERY glad you liked it. Thanks.

[@cindybaker7543]

Enjoyed this video very much Jeff. I am hoping this bucket list dream will be a reality in the next few years. I have wanted to shoot the northern lights for a long time now. And the information you shared is great. Thank you!

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

fantastic. thanks so much

[@ro3843]

Thank you for the great, practical advice. I like how your photos aren't over edited.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad you like the video. Please share with others and like and subscribe.

[@Mrbluesplayer43]

Just about the best and most comprehensive video I've seen on shooting the aurora. A great resource for beginner and experienced photographers. Well done.

[@Calvinki]

This is the most in-depth tutorial I came across on shooting the northern lights. Now I feel like I have a chance to get some shots going out to Alaska this weekend. Thank you!

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

So glad you liked it and will help you succeed. Please spread the word about my channel to others. THANKS

[@brainspout3447]

Thanks for another informative, helpful video, Jeff. Looking forward to meeting you and seeing your beautiful state.

[@Ferretblte]

Thanks so much, this was very thorough and well explained. I’ll recommend your video and channel to our customers. Greeting by from Lapland.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Thanks so very much. Glad you liked it. Glad you found it well explained. Thanks for the reccomendations. All the best.

[@ThecardoctorTV]

Excellent vid Jeff!

[@jophermans]

Super helpful Jeff! Thanks for this. We had some minor northern light nights in The Netherlands. I have to be prepared next time this happens

[@dominikmodrakowski9131]

Excellent video Jeff ! That’s not just a Northern Lights photograph tutorial, it’s a very good and comprehensive course. Thank you 😉

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Please share it with your friends and check out my other videos.

[@mumme4444]

Very good explanations! I appreciate the depth and repetition!

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

glad you liked it. send it on to your friends.

[@MichaelF1026]

Thank you so much for this video. def made me feel more comfortable going to Iceland in a week and hoping to get some beautiful images of the aurora.

[@jeffschultz8154]

Great . glad I could help

[@sebastiangonzalez1318]

thanks another time for yours videos, congrats

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad you like them!

[@WalterVanerio]

That's a great video. Really well done Jeff! In few weeks I will experiment all what I learnt in Lapland

[@jeffschultz8154]

Thanks so very much. Glad you enjoyed it. Please share with your friends. Hope you have great lights in Lapland. Bundle up !!

[@douglashupp6457]

Jeff - Great step by practical step by step video. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

THANKS,glad you like it. jeff

[@staneichner5754]

Excellent information. Great to have the benefit of all your years of experience! Thanks!

[@kevinman5019]

Really great video. Thank you

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

My pleasure!

[@habo68311]

Really really great video. Thank you so much.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

So glad you like it... please subscribe and tell your friends.

[@1clearlyn]

Super informative video , thank you Jeff, I can wait for Aurora to appear here in Wicklow in Ireland this winter to try out all your recommended settings on my EOS1100D 🙂

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad you liked it... please share it around

[@clafoutea]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. Love how comprehensive it is.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

I'm very glad you like it and it's helpful for you. Please spread the word with others.

[@abrax5]

Thank you for sharing your tips and experience. I enjoy the down-to-earth style of this video. As someone who's had really cold feet watching the sky at -26℃ I appreciate the boots advise as well. 🥶

[@pietpetoors]

Thank you so much for this video. Last night I took my first Northern Lights picture and if it was not for your tips I would have battled for long to get it right. Exposure and everything was right the first time. Your tips are so valuable, thanx.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

I’m so glad you liked it. So glad it helped out so much. Please spread the word. Thanks for your support. And of course, please like and subscribe to help pay for the video.

[@leon_frey]

thanks for the video!

[@donmckie5285]

Hi jeff, absolutely beautiful photos & great information. Many thanks from down under.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

So glad you like it.

[@franciscobartolome5215]

Thanks for a very thorough and most informative video! Well done...

[@cruepprich]

Excellent video. thanks!

[@jeffschultz8154]

Fabulous. Glad you liked it

[@DrunkPhotography]

I really screwed up last year wish I saw this first. I’ll be back to do it right now that I’ve seen this.

[@jameswalton8532]

Great video, just what I was looking for👍

[@dusangregoric6438]

I'm going on my first winter trip to Finland soon. Thank you very much for all the advice on photography equipment and settings, as well as the warnings about warm clothes. Your photos are fascinating, superb... I love your great emphasis on composition of photos. Can you also advise how I would make a Northern Lights video with my NIKON D780 + 14-24/2.8? I will greatly appreciate your advice. Thank you!!

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

The best bet to making a video of the northern lights is by creating a "timelapse" video. Look it up. As for exposure for the timelapse images, the method I suggested in the video--- by using aperture priority and plus one stop, and then just letting the camera go and go and go. Make one photo right after the other. Ideally your exposures would be no more than 5 seconds-- wide open aperture and higher ISO. And then you put the images together as JPEG's and create what is known as a "timelapse" video.

[@KODOPhoto]

Really helpful, Jeff. Headed up to Fairbanks Alaska next week for 10 days shooting the Aurora. One comment: you failed to mention (deliberately?) turning off long exposure/noise reduction in camera (5DMIV). Also, I like to put the mirror in lock up, but that's just personal preference. Good stuff. Thanks!

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad it was helpful video. Yep absolutely want noise reduction off and mirror lock up is OK but not really necessary for Aurora stuff night sky. My experience is Mirror lock up more important for slow exposure during daytime. All good. I’m glad it was helpful.

[@teegee217]

Thankyou, a great refresher

[@craigmitchell905]

very nice presentation, thanks so much I will subscribe. I do a bit of night photography but I do need to learn more I will be trying to shoot the Aurora next week and am grateful for the tips .

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad you liked it thanks

[@sundeepsembi6091]

Fantastic tutorial

[@michaelvanvalkenburg5593]

This was great. Thank you.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Thanks. glad you like it. share it with your freinds

[@Llubitz]

Fantastic video. Thank you. I have several pages of notes and now will have my camera in hand next time I view your video to do a hands on. Question re location for shooting. We will be on a cruise ship and wonder if a tripod is needed and if it will work should there be any boat movements?

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Linda; A tripod is really not something you can use on a cruise ship for any long exposures like a half a second or more.. Because it's almost always moving. Of course, it would come in plenty handy in order to keep a long telephoto lens a little bit more steady if you're shooting it at a faster, shutter speed. Hope that helps.

[@tintin69rr]

Awesome video we’re going on a cruise to the top of Norway with a overnight stay in 😅Alta 🇳🇴 right into the Artic circle January I’ve started getting snow boots merino socks base layers and some wind stopper wool sweaters and ski pants for more heat lol my gear will be canon R and R6ii with ef 16-35 f2.8 mkii im looking at getting a prime was thinking the sigma 20 mm f1.4 art fingers crossed for clear skies for Alta but for the rest of the cruise the ship will be sailing at night so long exposures are going to be a tad difficult hence why I was thinking getting a prime for more light and less time if not the 20 mm which lens would you personally recommend solely for the aurora on the ship cheers

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad you like the video. I hope it helps. Photographing the Aurora from a moving ship Will not be easy at all to get a sharp image. That's unfortunate. But the answer to your question is I would recommend the Canon 24 mm F1.4. It's not a very well-known fact but a wide angle lens such as a 16 mm F1.4 actually lets in less light than a less wide such as 24 mm F1.4. A 24mm or 35mm f/1.4 will let in more light (therefore you can use a shorter shutter speed) because the area of coverage is smaller. It's really only noticeable in the night sky photography. I hope that helps.

[@tintin69rr]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography wow I’ve never heard that before cheers for that a couple of months ago I was comparing the canon 24 mm to the sigma 20 mm as well cheers

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

@@tintin69rr Perfect. Yes, little known fact.

[@tintin69rr]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography would love to see a comparison video showing that difference between focal length and brightness at same f1.4 aperature 👍👍

[@mrsleannejh]

THANK YOU! Another good one, so excited! Do you ever use a CP?

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Circular polarizer? Yes.. but not for aurora. Does no good and you lose 2 stops of light.. when you need it most

[@ThecardoctorTV]

Thanks for all the helpful information but I have one nagging question. How do you keep from freezing your nuts off?

[@jeffschultz8154]

Glad you like the video. Well, The honest answer to not freezing. Your nuts off would be a whole Nother video. And it might include dancing a jig, or some other abnormal kind of practice. The short answer is to Just turn yourself into the Pillsbury doughboy with layers upon layers. Just like Randy in a “Christmas story.”

[@alaska491]

Jeff I have a Sony A7R,the original,and a Rokinon 14mm,f2.8 lens,with a cheap tripod,and remote shooter,been doing mostly Astro photography,is this a good setup for shooting the aurora,moving back up to Alaska this Sept.24,moving to Talkeetna,been living in Colorado,lived in Alaska about 20 years,looking forward to seeing the northern lights. Thanks Bruce

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

If the set up is working for your Astro photography, it will be perfect for the aurora.

[@charlesswart5785]

Hi Jeff, brilliant thanks ! Not something I am use to living in Bermuda :)) I have just booked my first trip to Svalbard in mid February... what's the best advice re protecting my camera on day of arrival at the hotel ? From airport to hotel etc ? is it only after shooting outside that the dry bag rule comes into play ? TIA I have now watched all your videos, all fantastic

[@jeffschultz8154]

Thanks so very much for watching all of the videos. Glad you like this one. There are no issues taking the camera from the airport to the hotel. It's only after your camera gets cold-soaked by shooting outside for a long period of time. Also no big deal if you just go outside for 10 or 15 minutes

[@charlesswart5785]

Thanks again !

[@miltlewis6679]

I have Canon 70d and 80D, i use a 10-20mm on one. Would the 14mm be the right choice for the other so i can use two cameras? Great video and informative

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Yes that would be a very good choice

[@frandollinger2605]

Going to Costa Rica soon would you do the same with the camera going into an airconditioned room. Use a dry bag. I am goin to fairbanks for the northern lights this is a great help and will watch it several times until it registers without notes to look at. Thank you for this info.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad you like it.. as for air conditioning, no, there is no need.

[@petertang2618]

Great video. Please advise the apps you used to find the exposure time.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad you like the video. I'm not sure I understand. The apps I used to find the exposure time? I didn't use an app to find the exposure time. Used the meter in the camera or started out as suggested in the video and change the exposure based on the histogram..

[@UlliAnchalee]

Hello Jeff, thanks a lot for these very useful information. I have 2 questions (using EOS R5): in AV mode for Timelapse you increase the exposure compensation by one stop. Doesn't that blow out the aurora highlights ? Other photographers suggest to decrease the ev value. In AV mode can I use auto ISO or is that not a good idea ? Thank you very much.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. My experience is that increasing the carbon station by one stop does not blow out the Aurora highlights. Certainly try it on your own. There's even been times where I've increased it to two stops overexposed. And that's really because there's so much dark space in the sky. No, I would not use auto ISO. Because you want to be able to control the length of your shutter speed. You really don't want that to go more of than 6- 10 seconds. And you can be sure to be able to adjust that by using manual ISO. I hope that make sense

[@UlliAnchalee]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography Thanks Jeff. My idea is to have a fixed exposure of 2.8 and a fixed shutter speed of 3 to 5 sec and then balance the different aurora brightness with auto iso. What do you think about this ?

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

@@UlliAnchalee so the only way to do that would be in manual mode. I've not done that before with Aurora. I do it all the time with wildlife. so I don't know how it would react. I just don't think it's the greatest idea but who knows. Give it a try.

[@margoboniface3294]

Thanks so much, I have learned a lot from this video. I will be traveling to Norway in December by ship with only few stops at harbours (coastal route Bergen-Kirkenes). Would you have some tips re camera settings photographing the Aurora on a moving ship, or wouldn't it be possible at all. I would very much appreciate your comments. Thank you.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

There is nothing you can do to stabilize the camera in order to get a sharpener wrench. It just won’t work to get a sharpie match. You can still use the same settings and you’ll get a photograph. It’ll just be blurry from camera movement

[@margoboniface3294]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography I was afraid that it would not be a good location. But thanks anyway for answering the question.🙏

[@naradesho]

Thank you so much for this video! I'll be traveling to Alaska in a couple of weeks and just thinking about all the shots has me already fired up! I saw your Dry bag and it looks great! I plan to take my telephoto lens 600mm which I measure with the body attached is about 16 to 17 inches long would you recommend the clear version of the Drybag? What would you use? Reading and listening to you talk about condensation was something I was completely oblivious and I'm a tad worried. Again, thanks for this video, it has been super educational and inspiring!

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

I'm glad you like the video. Please like and subscribe to the channel and share it. Whether you use a clear version or a non-clear version is totally up to you. The clear versions tend to be made of thicker material and that can be good or bad. The nice thing about having a clear one is actually being able to see what's in the bag. And honestly it does not matter at all

[@franksoos2937]

Thank you so much for the tips. I am off to photograph the Aurora in a week. I am using a Canon 5D M4 body. Of these two Canon lenses I have, which one would you recommend I use? The 16-35 L f/4 or the 28-70 L f/2.8? In either case, I would like to shoot at the minimum focal length. Many Thanks.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Well the problem there is the F4 versus the F2.8. With the f/4 it's gonna be a twice as long of an exposure than the f/ 2.8. . So if it were me ---I would rent a 16 to 35 F 2.8 lens. Because the 28 mm is not gonna be a wide enough angle to get a lot of sky. And you're probably thinking of the 24 to 70 mm right not the 28 to 70?

[@franksoos2937]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography Hi Jeff and thank you for your reply. You nailed my dilemma. Unfortunately, I am not in an area where renting is an option and I am leaving in less than a week. I was hoping I could use the wider angle 16mm lens and compensate with a slightly higher ISO and/or longer exposure (without getting star trails). Thoughts?

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

@@franksoos2937 yes you are spot on. But doubling the exposure makes the Aurora more blurry... Yes increasing the ISO does the trip but just more noise. You are right in your thinking. Renting is really inexpensive and they can ship it overnight if you use lensrentals.com. I would highly recommend it. I've used them and they are wonderful.

[@franksoos2937]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography Hi Jeff, Thanks for the recommendation. I live in Canada and hope they ship it here as well. I will look into it. Meantime, I think I will stay with the faster lens (28-70) in order to keep my ISO and shutter at a reasonable level. Thank you for your advice. All the best :-)

[@rgacpa]

Hi Jeff. Thanks for this very much. Great coverage of all aspects. I have a question that I would truly value your opinion on. My camera does not have a cable release (it's a brand new medium format, so it's not because of it's age!). So I don't have a lot of choice here except to bring a different camera system (35mm). As I'm traveling abroad for this winter shoot, I can only bring one system. My question is if I will have great difficulty (and disappointment) trying to capture the aurora with a time release (5sec is probably best, 2sec is as fast as it can release the shutter), or should I bring the 35mm system with a corded release? Or is the time release method not a big deal? Thanks for your help in my trying to make a decision. Best, Bob

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Robert I’m glad you like the video. There’s certainly not a problem using a time delay of two seconds or five seconds. That’ll work just fine. The only idea though is that the northern lights pulsate and move. So you may not capture the exact decisive moment that you want. But Yes that will work just fine. And also you don’t have the option of taking a time lapse that way. Perhaps that doesn’t matter. Often times for me when the northern lights are really going crazy I like to take one picture right after the other right after the other. So that I have one camera taking the time lab so I’m I’m on a second tripod doing a completely different composition. So if you want the medium format idea then just use the time delay. No worries.

[@rgacpa]

Thank you Jeff. Really appreciate you giving your time and expertise so generously. I hope we get to meet someday! Bob

[@motisingh845]

hlo sir can u tell me about health condition of Ben... did he do complete recovery from his brain injury...please sir inform me

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

It's hard to tell exactly. But if you were to meet him you would think there is nothing wrong. But as his family we can see where he is slower in SOME areas and he realizes he cannot do certain things especially multitasking. But he is still very smart and remembers most everything from his past. Thanks for asking

[@Cherismoore]

I’m shooting with a Canon and was going to buy a new lens. Which lens would you recommend? Thank you

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

If it were me and it was a lens to photograph the Aurora, then I would choose the 16 to 35 mm for sure. F2.8.

[@Cherismoore]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography , thank you! I have that exact lens. Wasn’t sure if I needed something wider. Appreciate it.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

@@Cherismoore well, if you already have it and want to get an additional night sky lens, then I would recommend the 14 mm sigma F1.8 ART lens.

[@Cherismoore]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography , I just got a canon r5 mirrorless. I wonder if that lens would work on my adapter?

[@ignarias96]

Can you get good pictures with an EOS R and an F/4 24-105 lens?

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Yes you can... but it's just a bit longer exposres because of f4 lens not as fast as 2.8

[@ignarias96]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography Thank you! I have a 24mm 2.8 but it's not an L series so I'm afraid it could freeze badly in the snow. The only L series I have it's the 24-105 f/4. hopefully it will do the trick. Thanks!

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

@@ignarias96 it does not need to be an L series lens. It won’t freeze.

[@ebsmith1102]

I have to disagree with several points number one why are you taking photos of the foreground... You have a heavenly constellation and you think we want to the reflections? Are you a madder?

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

I like your thinking. I hope you like mine too.