Pro tip: My aurora photos got way better after I sorted out the shutter speed

I've been trying to snap pictures of the northern lights since I moved up here. At first, all my shots came out as dark blobs or shaky lines. I spent some time reading simple guides on basic camera tricks. The key was using a sturdy tripod and setting the shutter to stay open for a few seconds. I also learned to watch the forecast for clear, active nights. Last Tuesday, I drove out to a spot away from town lights and tried my new setup. The photo I got showed bright green waves across the sky. It's a small win, but now I feel confident I can catch the lights again.

2 comments

2 Comments

blakeharris2h ago

That tripod and longer shutter made all the difference for my shots too.

dakota_king32h ago

How long did you set your shutter speed for that shot? I tried capturing the aurora from my backyard last year but forgot my tripod, so I balanced the camera on a lawn chair. The photo came out as a wavy green smear because the chair leg sank into the snow. What's the longest exposure you've tried without getting star trails?