Aurora photography: A guide to the night sky

Nikon’s low-light technology advantages

Photographing the aurora borealis requires a camera that excels in low-light conditions, and Nikon offers several models that are ideal for this purpose. The Nikon Z9 and Z8, with their advanced low-light capabilities and high ISO performance, are perfect for capturing the vibrant colours and subtle details of the aurora. Paired with Z mount lenses, which offer superior light-gathering abilities, my Z9 ensures sharp and vivid images. Using fast lenses with wide apertures (such as f/1.8 or f/2.8) allows more light to hit the sensor, reducing noise and enhancing image quality in low-light situations.

Step-by-step guide to camera setup and settings

1. Choose the right lens: For aurora photography, a wide-angle lens is essential to capture as much of the sky as possible. The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S or the NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S are excellent choices. Their wide apertures and fields of view allow you to encompass the entire spectacle of the aurora.
2. Set up your camera on a tripod: Stability is key in low-light photography. A sturdy tripod (I prefer the Gitzo) will prevent camera shake and ensure sharp images, especially during long exposures.
3. Shutter speed: Start with a shutter speed of around 10-20 seconds. Longer exposures allow more light to reach the sensor, capturing the aurora’s movement and colours. However, too long an exposure can cause stars to blur due to the Earth’s rotation, so experiment with different times. Anything from 10-25 seconds should yield some pleasing results.
4. Aperture: Use a wide aperture such as f/1.8 to f/2.8. This maximises the light intake, essential for capturing bright and colourful auroras.
5. ISO settings: Start with an ISO setting of around 800 to 1600. Higher ISOs will increase the sensor’s sensitivity to light but also introduce noise. Nikon cameras perform exceptionally well in low-light conditions, allowing for higher ISO settings without significant noise.
6. White Balance: Set your White Balance to ‘Daylight’ or ‘Auto’. This helps maintain the natural colours of the aurora. You can also experiment with different White Balance settings in the menu to achieve different tones in your photos.
7. Focus mode: For exact precision, use Manual focus to set your focus and fine tune it by focusing on a distant bright star or light source.
8. Set up SnapBridge. Either set up a remote shutter control or download Nikon’s SnapBridge app so you can set up your camera, stand back and snap from your phone.

Tips for editing aurora images

Editing is a crucial step in bringing out the best in your aurora photos. Here are some tips:

1. Adjust exposure and contrast: Slightly increase the exposure if your image appears too dark. Boosting contrast can help define the aurora’s shapes and colours against the night sky.
2. Enhance colours: Use the saturation and vibrance tools sparingly to bring out the aurora’s natural colours without making them look unnatural. Green is the most common colour, but subtle tweaks can reveal reds and purples that might not be immediately visible.
3. Reduce noise and sharpen: Even with the best camera settings, some noise is inevitable. Use noise reduction tools in your editing software to clean up the image while preserving details. Minor sharpening can bring out more detail.

Capturing the aurora can be a rewarding experience and, by understanding your camera’s capabilities, setting it up correctly and applying thoughtful edits, you can create stunning images that truly capture its magic. So, bundle up, head out into the cold and get ready to photograph one of the most beautiful sights on Earth.