Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

[RedTokyo]

Hi

I enjoy photography but would not consider myself to have any real technical knowledge in the subject.

I'm taking a trip to just inside the arctic circle and hope to capture some images of the Northern Lights (weather conditions permitting etc).

I use a Canon EOS 350D and I'm intending to get a wide angle lens (the Canon EF-S 10-22mm is most the likely candidate).

Any tips or suggestions on how to get a great shot....and any views on the wide angle lens.

Many thanks in advance.

[Nicole]

Moved this ove to the technique section rather than the critique section for you Sorry I don't have any hints on photographing this for you, but the 10-20mm range lenses are great fun

[windrider86]

Can i go with you?

[Firemaine]

Originally Posted by RedTokyo

Hi

I enjoy photography but would not consider myself to have any real technical knowledge in the subject.

I'm taking a trip to just inside the arctic circle and hope to capture some images of the Northern Lights (weather conditions permitting etc).

I use a Canon EOS 350D and I'm intending to get a wide angle lens (the Canon EF-S 10-22mm is most the likely candidate).

Any tips or suggestions on how to get a great shot....and any views on the wide angle lens.

Many thanks in advance.

Here is a site I found on Photographing the Northern Lights.
Hope this Helps
http://www.my-photo-blog.com/how-to-...orthern-lights

[embrodak]

I've taken pics of the aurora borealis in Kansas during a solar storm before. I've found that an indecently long exposure is a must, which means that you have to turn on noise reduction and use a tripod. Also, going somewhere with minimal light pollution helps. This includes waiting until a crescent/new moon phase. Of course, it'll be much clearer where you're going.

Good luck, and pleaaaase share your photos!

[silentnight_913]

Where do you plan on visiting?

I currently live near Anchorage, and am always trying to get good photos of the Aurora. My best tips would be:

- Wear warm cloths.

- Bring extra batteries; for some reason they drain faster the colder it is.

- Bring a tripod; Longer exposure times will be needed to capture a good shot, even if the storm is especially bright.

- That wide angle lens is a good idea. At times the aurora seems to arc across the sky like a huge rainbow, and you will miss pieces of it if you can't zoom out enough.

-This year has not been so great for good aurora displays. These are some resources you can use to determine what your odds are/what the current display looks like:

http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/
http://portal.cssdp.ca:8080/ssdp/sta...val/index.html
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapN.html
http://salmon.nict.go.jp/awc/live/index_n_e.php

Best of luck!!

Oh wow...check out tonights storm....wish it wasn't -20, or I'd be out there!

[RedTokyo]

Thanks to everyone for the advice, tips and links. I'm, heading to Kittilä (in Lapland) in a couple of weeks time so provided I don't turn into an ice cube and the Northern Lights turn up while I'm there (fingers crossed) I hope to share some images with you.

Many thanks again.

[PSH]

Have you checked out http://aurora.fmi.fi/public_service/index.html ?
That site is about predicting auroras in Northern Finland, not about photography. Might still be interesting for you. You can change it to English from the bar on top. There's measured data about magnetic disturbance levels, all sky cam located in Sodankylä etc.

[RedTokyo]

Thanks for the link PSH. I keep an eye on it (and the sky!)