How to Click Northern Lights Photos and Videos with
iPhone & Android
Capturing the breathtaking beauty of the Northern Lights is a bucket-list experience for many. While professional cameras are often seen as the ideal tools, modern smartphones—whether iPhone or Android—can also produce stunning results with the right techniques. Here's how you can photograph and film the aurora borealis like a pro with your smartphone.
How to Click Northern Lights Photos and Videos with iPhone & Android
Capturing the breathtaking beauty of the Northern Lights is a bucket-list experience for many. While professional cameras are often seen as the ideal tools, modern smartphones—whether iPhone or Android—can also produce stunning results with the right techniques. Here's how you can photograph and film the aurora borealis like a pro with your smartphone.
How to Click Northern Lights Photos and Videos with iPhone & Android
Capturing the breathtaking beauty of the Northern Lights is a bucket-list experience for many. While professional cameras are often seen as the ideal tools, modern smartphones—whether iPhone or Android—can also produce stunning results with the right techniques. Here's how you can photograph and film the aurora borealis like a pro with your smartphone.
For iPhone Users
For iPhone Users
For iPhone Users
1. Prepare Your iPhone
Check Your Camera Settings: Ensure your default camera app supports manual adjustments. Alternatively, download apps like ProCamera or NightCap Camera for enhanced controls.
Update Software: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS for optimal camera performance.
Free Up Storage: Aurora photos and videos can take up significant space. Clear unnecessary files beforehand.
1. Prepare Your iPhone
Check Your Camera Settings: Ensure your default camera app supports manual adjustments. Alternatively, download apps like ProCamera or NightCap Camera for enhanced controls.
Update Software: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS for optimal camera performance.
Free Up Storage: Aurora photos and videos can take up significant space. Clear unnecessary files beforehand.
1. Prepare Your iPhone
Check Your Camera Settings: Ensure your default camera app supports manual adjustments. Alternatively, download apps like ProCamera or NightCap Camera for enhanced controls.
Update Software: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS for optimal camera performance.
Free Up Storage: Aurora photos and videos can take up significant space. Clear unnecessary files beforehand.
2. Adjust Camera Settings
Using a third-party app, tweak the following settings:
ISO: Set it between 800-3200. Higher ISO captures more light but may introduce noise.
Shutter Speed: Use a range of 5-20 seconds for long exposure shots.
Focus: Switch to manual focus and set it to infinity (∞).
White Balance: Adjust to around 3500K for natural aurora colors.
2. Adjust Camera Settings
Using a third-party app, tweak the following settings:
ISO: Set it between 800-3200. Higher ISO captures more light but may introduce noise.
Shutter Speed: Use a range of 5-20 seconds for long exposure shots.
Focus: Switch to manual focus and set it to infinity (∞).
White Balance: Adjust to around 3500K for natural aurora colors.
2. Adjust Camera Settings
Using a third-party app, tweak the following settings:
ISO: Set it between 800-3200. Higher ISO captures more light but may introduce noise.
Shutter Speed: Use a range of 5-20 seconds for long exposure shots.
Focus: Switch to manual focus and set it to infinity (∞).
White Balance: Adjust to around 3500K for natural aurora colors.
3. Shooting Videos
Use the iPhone’s "Night Mode" or a compatible app for low-light video recording.
Opt for a lower frame rate (24 fps) to capture more light.
Use a tripod to keep your phone steady.
3. Shooting Videos
Use the iPhone’s "Night Mode" or a compatible app for low-light video recording.
Opt for a lower frame rate (24 fps) to capture more light.
Use a tripod to keep your phone steady.
3. Shooting Videos
Use the iPhone’s "Night Mode" or a compatible app for low-light video recording.
Opt for a lower frame rate (24 fps) to capture more light.
Use a tripod to keep your phone steady.
4. Edit Your Photos and Videos
Use apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile for post-processing. Adjust brightness, contrast, and colors to enhance your shots.
4. Edit Your Photos and Videos
Use apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile for post-processing. Adjust brightness, contrast, and colors to enhance your shots.
4. Edit Your Photos and Videos
Use apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile for post-processing. Adjust brightness, contrast, and colors to enhance your shots.
For Android Users
For Android Users
For Android Users
1. Prepare Your Android
Check Your Camera Settings: Many Android devices have a "Pro" mode in their default camera app. If not, download apps like Manual Camera or ProCam X.
Update Software: Keep your Android device updated for the best camera performance.
Free Up Storage: Clear unnecessary files to ensure ample space for high-resolution photos and videos.
1. Prepare Your Android
Check Your Camera Settings: Many Android devices have a "Pro" mode in their default camera app. If not, download apps like Manual Camera or ProCam X.
Update Software: Keep your Android device updated for the best camera performance.
Free Up Storage: Clear unnecessary files to ensure ample space for high-resolution photos and videos.
1. Prepare Your Android
Check Your Camera Settings: Many Android devices have a "Pro" mode in their default camera app. If not, download apps like Manual Camera or ProCam X.
Update Software: Keep your Android device updated for the best camera performance.
Free Up Storage: Clear unnecessary files to ensure ample space for high-resolution photos and videos.
2. Adjust Camera Settings
In "Pro" or manual mode, set the following:
ISO: Set between 800-3200 for optimal light capture.
Shutter Speed: Experiment with 5-20 seconds to achieve the right exposure.
Focus: Use manual focus and set it to infinity (∞).
White Balance: Adjust to around 3500K to capture the aurora’s true colors.
2. Adjust Camera Settings
In "Pro" or manual mode, set the following:
ISO: Set between 800-3200 for optimal light capture.
Shutter Speed: Experiment with 5-20 seconds to achieve the right exposure.
Focus: Use manual focus and set it to infinity (∞).
White Balance: Adjust to around 3500K to capture the aurora’s true colors.
2. Adjust Camera Settings
In "Pro" or manual mode, set the following:
ISO: Set between 800-3200 for optimal light capture.
Shutter Speed: Experiment with 5-20 seconds to achieve the right exposure.
Focus: Use manual focus and set it to infinity (∞).
White Balance: Adjust to around 3500K to capture the aurora’s true colors.
3. Shooting Videos
Enable "Night Mode" if your Android phone supports it.
Use a tripod to keep your device steady during recording.
Lower the frame rate (24 fps) for better light capture.
3. Shooting Videos
Enable "Night Mode" if your Android phone supports it.
Use a tripod to keep your device steady during recording.
Lower the frame rate (24 fps) for better light capture.
3. Shooting Videos
Enable "Night Mode" if your Android phone supports it.
Use a tripod to keep your device steady during recording.
Lower the frame rate (24 fps) for better light capture.
Common Tips for All Smartphone Users
Common Tips for All Smartphone Users
Common Tips for All Smartphone Users
1. Use a Tripod for Stability
The Northern Lights often require long exposure shots, which can’t be captured effectively with shaky hands. Use a smartphone tripod or any stable surface to keep your phone steady. This reduces blurriness and improves image clarity.
1. Use a Tripod for Stability
The Northern Lights often require long exposure shots, which can’t be captured effectively with shaky hands. Use a smartphone tripod or any stable surface to keep your phone steady. This reduces blurriness and improves image clarity.
1. Use a Tripod for Stability
The Northern Lights often require long exposure shots, which can’t be captured effectively with shaky hands. Use a smartphone tripod or any stable surface to keep your phone steady. This reduces blurriness and improves image clarity.
2. Optimize Your Environment
Dark Skies: Find a location with minimal light pollution.
Keep Your Phone Warm: Cold weather can drain batteries quickly. Use hand warmers or keep your phone close to your body when not in use.
Turn Off Flash and HDR: These features aren’t helpful for aurora photography and can ruin the shot.
2. Optimize Your Environment
Dark Skies: Find a location with minimal light pollution.
Keep Your Phone Warm: Cold weather can drain batteries quickly. Use hand warmers or keep your phone close to your body when not in use.
Turn Off Flash and HDR: These features aren’t helpful for aurora photography and can ruin the shot.
2. Optimize Your Environment
Dark Skies: Find a location with minimal light pollution.
Keep Your Phone Warm: Cold weather can drain batteries quickly. Use hand warmers or keep your phone close to your body when not in use.
Turn Off Flash and HDR: These features aren’t helpful for aurora photography and can ruin the shot.
3. Practice Patience and Experiment
At Flytrail, our long history of chasing the northern lights has been marked by moments of ultimate patience—like stopping our vehicles in the middle of nowhere and waiting for hours, all for a fleeting, magical glimpse of the Auroras. The Northern Lights can be unpredictable, and conditions might not always be ideal. Experiment with different settings, compositions, and angles. Don’t hesitate to take multiple shots—the more you capture, the higher your chances of a masterpiece.
3. Practice Patience and Experiment
At Flytrail, our long history of chasing the northern lights has been marked by moments of ultimate patience—like stopping our vehicles in the middle of nowhere and waiting for hours, all for a fleeting, magical glimpse of the Auroras. The Northern Lights can be unpredictable, and conditions might not always be ideal. Experiment with different settings, compositions, and angles. Don’t hesitate to take multiple shots—the more you capture, the higher your chances of a masterpiece.
3. Practice Patience and Experiment
At Flytrail, our long history of chasing the northern lights has been marked by moments of ultimate patience—like stopping our vehicles in the middle of nowhere and waiting for hours, all for a fleeting, magical glimpse of the Auroras. The Northern Lights can be unpredictable, and conditions might not always be ideal. Experiment with different settings, compositions, and angles. Don’t hesitate to take multiple shots—the more you capture, the higher your chances of a masterpiece.
Bouns Tip
Aurora Forecast Apps: Use apps like My Aurora Forecast to check aurora activity and plan your shoot.
Battery Management: Bring a portable charger to keep your phone powered throughout the night.
Include Foreground Elements: Adding mountains, trees, or cabins can make your photos more dynamic and storytelling.
Bouns Tip
Aurora Forecast Apps: Use apps like My Aurora Forecast to check aurora activity and plan your shoot.
Battery Management: Bring a portable charger to keep your phone powered throughout the night.
Include Foreground Elements: Adding mountains, trees, or cabins can make your photos more dynamic and storytelling.
Bouns Tip
Aurora Forecast Apps: Use apps like My Aurora Forecast to check aurora activity and plan your shoot.
Battery Management: Bring a portable charger to keep your phone powered throughout the night.
Include Foreground Elements: Adding mountains, trees, or cabins can make your photos more dynamic and storytelling.
Conclusion
With a little preparation and practice, your iPhone or Android can capture the magic of the Northern Lights beautifully. At Flytrail & Moody Journeys, we’re all about helping you make the most of your road trip adventures—so gear up, head out, and let the aurora be your muse!
Conclusion
With a little preparation and practice, your iPhone or Android can capture the magic of the Northern Lights beautifully. At Flytrail & Moody Journeys, we’re all about helping you make the most of your road trip adventures—so gear up, head out, and let the aurora be your muse!
Conclusion
With a little preparation and practice, your iPhone or Android can capture the magic of the Northern Lights beautifully. At Flytrail & Moody Journeys, we’re all about helping you make the most of your road trip adventures—so gear up, head out, and let the aurora be your muse!