In the spirit of Helen's upcoming trip to Iceland, here are some tips I have found for photographing the Aurora Borealis. I look very forward to seeing your photos from this trip, Helen!
So here are the tips I have found, in no particular order of importance:
1. Be willing to experiment! The variables in this situation are always changing, so be ready to play around with your settings!
2. Use a wide angle (so pull your lens in). Zooming will move you closer to a 50mm shot, when you want your camera as wide open as possible (not just for your image, but also to allow as much light into the shot as possible).
3. Experiment with your ISO to determine the highest ISO you can use without noticeable grain. It may be 800, or even 400. Be sure to use your wide angle when practicing.
4. Use the lowest possible aperture (wide open eye of your camera) to allow the most light.
5. Bring a tripod and have your shutter open for 15-30 seconds (depending on ambient light). Use a remote shutter to eliminate handshake (or use timer).
6. Don't shy away from including ambient light (a cityscape, car headlights), which can add a dramatic flair to your shot.
7. Wrap a towel or blanket around your camera if you're worried about the temperature. Be sure to have extra batteries, because the cold can affect your battery's longevity. Reintroduce your camera to warmth slowly to decrease the risk of condensation.
8. Add interest and scale to your shot by adding something to your foreground.
9. Be patient!
10. Can you put your camera on manual focus? Worried there will be nothing for the camera to focus on. Is this the trip to make you invest in a "better" camera?
12. Don't forget reflections, which can add so much to your photo!
I am so unbelievably jealous! Cannot wait to see what you come up with!
Sources:
http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-aurora-borealis-%E2%80%93-ie-northern-lights/
http://digital-photography-school.com/an-introduction-to-photographing-the-northernsouthern-lights/
