SEATTLE — The northern lights can be a dazzling show to be seen with your own eyes and just as stunning when captured in a photograph.
Seattle photographer Tim Durkan shared tips on how to get the best shot, whether that’s on your cellphone or using a DSLR camera.
Escape the light pollution
Regardless of what type of equipment you have, be sure to go somewhere dark where there’s minimal light pollution. That means getting out of the city. Durkan recommended places such as the Cascades, the Interstate 90 corridor in central Washington or rural parts of King and Snohomish counties.
The national Space Weather Prediction Center issues 30-minute northern lights forecasts, so you can see when and where the storm will be strongest. You can also down an app like Aurora Alerts to help you monitor real-time conditions.
Keep it steady
Whether you have a cellphone or a DSLR camera, a tripod is going to be your friend. Even an inexpensive cellphone tripod will help eliminate shake. Durkan said the more stable your camera is, the clearer the foreground of the picture is going to be.
A shutter release button will also help reduce vibrations that get in the way of a clear photo. If you don’t have one, Durkan shared a clever hack: put on your earbuds or wired headphones and hit the volume button. On a lot of models, that will also act as a camera photo trigger, eliminating the need to use your finger to snap the photo.
Play around with settings
If the picture doesn’t look right, Durkan said you shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with different settings.
Night mode on the iPhone allows you to capture more detail in low-light environments, like northern lights viewing. Your iPhone will likely detect the low-light environment automatically, but you can also turn it on and off manually and play around with exposure time.
However, you can skip the flash. Beyond illuminating the immediate 10 to 15 feet in front of you, it’s not going to do anything, Durkan said.
Try video or a timelapse
If you’re using a cellphone, Durkan recommended taking video of the northern lights. If the storm is strong enough to see with your naked eye, you may not even need a tripod to capture high-quality video.
If you have a DSLR, Durkan suggested trying a timelapse, because it’s a great way to see the lights dance. Durkan recommended setting the exposure to once every two seconds and letting the camera sit for a 15- to 20-minute period at the height of the storm.
“Hit the go button, and it will blow your mind,” Durkan said.
Take it all in
While you’re running around snapping photos, make sure you don’t miss the show. Durkan said the real point is to not be afraid to put your phone in your pocket and let it all soak in.
“It’s just wonderous how it all comes together and helps you realize your place in the universe,” Durkan said. “Don’t be afraid to just watch and enjoy.”