Joined a photography group to Norway earlier this month (5 to 13 March 2013) to try to catch the Northern Lights (aka aurora borealis). Weather was mostly not on our side, and didn't see spectacular lights as other members have posted but at least we got 1 night of good light out of the 7 nights there.
Have benefitted from advice from friends and fellow clubsnappers so just sharing some of my snaps and also some information. If there are any mistakes please let me know, comments and critique welcome too!
Here's some information I got from our guides:
- Activity goes in cycles, every 12 years there's a peak (and this year is around the peak)
- to see the lights need activity + clear skies
- usually can be seen from Oct to May (in northern Norway), other times there's too much daylight
- most commonly seen between 9pm to 12am
- Jan, Feb may be better months due to less precipitation (but also very cold)
- Shorter shutter speeds are better to 'freeze' the lights, especially those with patterns, recommended around 2-6 seconds. But this will mean high ISOs like 12,800 (full frame sensors will be advantageous here). In high activity the guide said he used shutter speeds as fast as 1/4s. (my aurora shots are done mainly at 30s, wide open F3.5, ISO800-1600 on crop sensor)
Some of my own experience:
- most of the aurora I seen looked like a greyish band in the sky with my eyes. Only the stronger activity ones can see a bit of colour (unfortunately didn't see the power ones hehe)
- Sometimes in doubt if it's aurora or clouds I try to take a test shot at max ISO sensitivity
- Composition is difficult in the dark. What I tried is to max out ISO sensitivity and shoot at shortest possible shutter speed then trial and error composition
- It's really cold when shooting auroras! Good thermals and wind protection essential
Some Northern Lights shots:
#1
Tromso, Norway Mar '13 - Northern Lights by knowenoughhappy, on Flickr
#2
Tromso, Norway Mar '13 - Northern Lights by knowenoughhappy, on Flickr
#3
Tromso, Norway Mar '13 - Northern Lights by knowenoughhappy, on Flickr
(more to come...)
Have benefitted from advice from friends and fellow clubsnappers so just sharing some of my snaps and also some information. If there are any mistakes please let me know, comments and critique welcome too!
Here's some information I got from our guides:
- Activity goes in cycles, every 12 years there's a peak (and this year is around the peak)
- to see the lights need activity + clear skies
- usually can be seen from Oct to May (in northern Norway), other times there's too much daylight
- most commonly seen between 9pm to 12am
- Jan, Feb may be better months due to less precipitation (but also very cold)
- Shorter shutter speeds are better to 'freeze' the lights, especially those with patterns, recommended around 2-6 seconds. But this will mean high ISOs like 12,800 (full frame sensors will be advantageous here). In high activity the guide said he used shutter speeds as fast as 1/4s. (my aurora shots are done mainly at 30s, wide open F3.5, ISO800-1600 on crop sensor)
Some of my own experience:
- most of the aurora I seen looked like a greyish band in the sky with my eyes. Only the stronger activity ones can see a bit of colour (unfortunately didn't see the power ones hehe)
- Sometimes in doubt if it's aurora or clouds I try to take a test shot at max ISO sensitivity
- Composition is difficult in the dark. What I tried is to max out ISO sensitivity and shoot at shortest possible shutter speed then trial and error composition
- It's really cold when shooting auroras! Good thermals and wind protection essential
Some Northern Lights shots:
#1
Tromso, Norway Mar '13 - Northern Lights by knowenoughhappy, on Flickr
#2
Tromso, Norway Mar '13 - Northern Lights by knowenoughhappy, on Flickr
#3
Tromso, Norway Mar '13 - Northern Lights by knowenoughhappy, on Flickr
(more to come...)
