The New Season of Aurora 2023

The New Season of Aurora Borealis (Northern lights) began this autumn, very impressive and colourful over Aberdeenshire & Guide to Aurora Borealis Photography

Big thank you – Adam, Pixie, Steven and Atlanta for sent in pics.

14th September 2023 – pics captured over Peterhead and Aden Country park.

An aurora is a natural light display that shimmers in the sky. Blue, red, yellow, green, and orange lights shift gently and change shape like softly blowing curtains.

18th September 2023 – pics captured over Slains Castle and Gardenstown.

Auroras are only visible at night. The New Season of Aurora

A Beginner’s Guide to Aurora Borealis Photography

Tip 1: Choose the Right Location
Tip 2: Pick the Right Time
Tip 3: Follow Aurora Forecast
Tip 4: Use Your Smartphone
- Use tripod and landscape mode. Yes, there are tripods for smartphones, too, so buy one; it’s worth it. Then, mount your phone on it and rotate it to landscape mode.
- Set to manual. Your smartphone camera has a manual mode, set it to that and adjust all the settings as mentioned above.

Tip 5: Use the Right Apps
- Cortex Camera (Apple iOS / Android). This camera app is fantastic for low light. It combines 100 frames of video to create one high-quality still photo. All photos are aligned perfectly in mere seconds, so you don’t really even need a tripod!
- NightCap Pro (Apple iOS). This app specializes in time-lapse photos, a gold mine for low light and night pictures. Its virtual slow shutter function is ideal for capturing wind, moving people, and yes – those Northern Lights.
- Northern Lights Photo Taker App (Apple iOS). Though just for iOS, this app does one thing and one thing only – help you take better photos of the aurora!

Tip 6: Use a Digital Camera
- Any camera with ‘manual’ mode works. DSLR or SLR is fine as long as you can manually change the settings.
- Use a tripod. You don’t want blurry pictures, which is likely to happen if you hold the camera in your hands.
- Wide-angle lenses are best. They allow you to take in as much of the activity as possible.
- Remotely controlled shutter. Your finger on the shutter will cause blurry pictures. Set the self-timer function and step back.
- Flashlight. Turn off the flash – it’s useless. Shine a flashlight only if you’re taking pictures of people in front of the Northern Lights.

For All Northern Lights Enthusiasts:
- Warm Clothing & Base Layer
- Insulated Winter Boots
- Warm Socks
- Gloves and Mittens
- Hat
- Hot Drinks and Snacks

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