HOW TO Photograph the Northern Lights / Auroras 2024

In this video, I'll show you how to PHOTOGRAPH and PREDICT the northern lights also known as the Aurora Borealis or auroras. I'll tell you how they work, what settings and gear to use, what weather you want. I'll talk about the moons influence and light pollution. And I'll announce my first buyable editing tutorial. I hope you'll enjoy the content.

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MUSIC:

0:00 - Intro
0:54 - What's on the menu
1:16 - Understanding the aurora
2:08 - Physics, KP value, aurora storms, where to see the auroras
7:26 - How to predict the auroras
11:24 - Earth weather!
12:47 - Consider the Moon!
13:45 - Light pollution!
14:10 - Aurora season
14:54 - Colors of the auroras
15:42 - How to photograph the auroras
18:00 - On location, settings and composition
22:10 - More settings
25:04 - Epic aurora time lapse montage
26:30 - More about on location/information
27:38 - The final photos!
29:39 - Aurora composite tutorial
29:52 - Final thoughts

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#landscapephotography
#iceland

[ro]

For anyone who is serious about Aurora photography, this is an incredibly accurate introductory guide. I'm writing this during a KP 7.33 night. Everything he's saying is very accurate

[icehawkutube]

My favorite tip on manual focusing technique at night: “If you still can’t see any lights after zooming in, remove your lens cap.” 😂 WOW! This is an EPIC, super informative video! The music toward the end was effectively climatic. THANK YOU so much, Mads! Happy to be a new subscriber to your channel here. I’m planning to be in Iceland in October. Hope to experience the Aurora then. Have to rewatch this video a few more times to unpack all the content into quick tip notes.

[pratikpatel]

Your ability to compress knowledge is simply unsurpassed.


Can't begin to fathom the amount of time and effort you've taken to produce this material.


Thank you.

[westenbergerstephan]

And the Oscar goes to Folks, take this video as your bibel for (landscape) photography. All you need to know in 30 Min. - what an awesome work! Skip all vblogs you have seen or you want to watch -> take this vblog only!!! Yes, it is an awful lot of information but all is perfectly described. The order of topic like weather, how to focus, all the practical examples like baterie life and clothing, etc, etc.. Don't get frustrated about the amount of info. Watch this vlog again and again and you'll soon understand what Mads want to tell you, if you don't know most important "Remove your lense cap"! :-)

[marieta.s]

That was the most comprehensive guide I’ve seen regarding the auroras. Thank you for all your effort and work you are putting in these guides. This is truly useful information.

[luannewilliams]

This was one of the best aurora videos I've seen. Very detailed and easy to understand. Thanks! I'm interested in your aurora editing techniques.

[Jon_Godfrey]

"remove your lens cap"... classic. :-)

[bruceleonard]

Removing the lens cap was a great tip. It's now much easier to focus and get a properly exposed image.

[Frustrationcentral]

Hey Mads, thank you so much for this tutorial and posting this. It helped me SO much; I had the opportunity to be in Iceland last month and did my first night and first aurora shots and they actually turned out sharp and resembling real life. Thank you!!

[JaypeaFoto]

Now there’s a mouthful of information. I get up at 4:30 am and spend an hour enjoying my coffee and your videos. After this video I’m definitely awake. Great job at such detail.

[jtcmedia]

Thank you for making this. This is so good. Educational, clear, and very inspiring. I live in Alaska and recently acquired a new camera and lens to seriously attempt to capture the aurora. Just last night I got some amazing shots, and this guide will certainly help me improve and even taught me new ideas such as the composite shots. Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge and best of luck to you in future aurora hunting! Cheers!

[RalfWeyer]

I have to be honest, since I’m only a hobby photographer for roughly 1, 5 years and never looked at any of the details of Aurora photography before, I didn’t fully understand all of the information. And there was a lot of information in this video. But I will definitely come back and watch it again after digging a bit deeper into Aurora and the physics.
But what I can say about the resulting images is just wow, absolutely stunning pictures 👍🙂

[DarrenJSpoonley]

ASTOUNDING MADS
A MASTERCLASS AND COMPLETE RESOURCE FOR EVERY PHOTOGRAPHER !!
BRAVO !!!

[fredericdemeus]

For someone like me, who hasn't seen this spectacular yet, I found it great that at least someone takes time to share some information and tips & tricks around the Aurora's. It was quiet a big theoretical part, but once you get it, it's just the explanation I was searching for. Thanks Mads !

[robertwhite-photography]

This is #1 for me on the upcoming trip !! @20:45 the shooting star over the mountain :)

[leticiajc]

What an amazing lesson you gave to those who plan to photograph Aurora! It’s far the best tutorial I’ve seen arround! I got amazed with your sensibility, determination and desire to comprehend all the aspects related to experiencing and shooting the Northern Lights. More than guiding us through this art, you clearly show your respect to this spectacular nature phenomenon. Great job and thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[carlowagner]

Just 2 more weeks to go and we will leave for Tromsö. Having no experience in photographing northern lights this was the best tutorial I found so far, thanks a lot. Got some inspiring ideas out of it, hope they will work out.

[mstpierre]

This MUST be the best Aurora "how to" video found anywhere on the web. Fantastic job !!!

[mountain_goat]

Mads, is this technically episode 25 of Iceland series? We have been binge watching the series and I do like things in order. I couldn’t see episode 25 listed anywhere. Great work, you combine just the right amount of practical information and entertainment. Perfect!

[gordroberts]

Loved the scientific/technical details but the photos and time-lapse starting around 23:06 render me speechless! Thank you