Can You Take a Photo of the Aurora with a Phone?
Yes, you can absolutely take photos of the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) or aurora australis (Southern Lights) with your phone, but it's not as simple as pointing and shooting. Capturing stunning aurora photos on a phone requires some preparation, the right conditions, and a bit of patience. While dedicated cameras offer significant advantages, modern smartphones with excellent low-light capabilities are increasingly capable of capturing these breathtaking displays.
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know to successfully photograph the aurora with your phone:
What conditions are necessary to photograph the aurora with a phone?
This is crucial. You need a strong aurora display. A faint, subtle aurora will be very difficult, if not impossible, to capture with a phone's camera. You'll need a dark location, far from light pollution. The darker the sky, the better your chances of success. Ideally, you want a clear night with minimal cloud cover. The stronger the aurora, the easier it will be to capture it.
What settings should I use on my phone?
Most modern smartphones have a "Pro" or "Manual" mode within their camera app. This is essential for aurora photography. You'll want to adjust the following settings:
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ISO: Set this as high as your phone allows without introducing too much noise (grain). Experiment to find the sweet spot – often between ISO 1600 and 6400, but this can vary based on your phone's capabilities and the strength of the aurora.
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Shutter Speed: This is critical. You'll need a long exposure, typically between 10 and 30 seconds. This allows your phone to collect more light. Longer exposures will capture fainter auroral details. However, your phone might have a maximum exposure limit.
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Focus: Manually focus on infinity (∞) or a distant object. Autofocus will likely struggle in the low light conditions.
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White Balance: Experiment with different white balance settings to find what looks most natural. Often, a "daylight" or "cloudy" setting works well.
What apps can help me take aurora photos?
While your phone's built-in camera app with manual controls is sufficient, several third-party apps can offer additional features like manual controls, RAW image capture (allowing more flexibility in post-processing), and even helpful aurora forecast information. Explore your app store for photography apps specializing in long exposure shots. Many also have manual controls that can help.
How can I improve my chances of capturing a good aurora photo?
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Use a tripod: Essential for long exposures to avoid blurry photos. Even a small, lightweight tripod makes a huge difference.
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Consider a remote shutter release: Reduces camera shake caused by pressing the shutter button. You can use a Bluetooth remote or even your phone's timer function.
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Practice beforehand: Test your phone's settings in low-light conditions before heading out to view the aurora.
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Post-processing: Edit your photos using editing software (like Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, or similar) to adjust brightness, contrast, and colors to enhance the aurora's visibility. Learn basic editing techniques for improving your photos.
Are there any specific phone models that are better for aurora photography?
While any modern smartphone with a good low-light camera and a manual mode can take aurora photos, phones with larger sensors generally perform better in low-light conditions. However, the overall quality depends more on the skill of the photographer and the strength of the aurora than the specific phone model.
Taking aurora photos with a phone requires patience and experimentation. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts aren't perfect. Keep practicing, and you'll soon be capturing your own breathtaking aurora images. Remember to check the aurora forecast before you head out!
