How to Photograph the Northern Lights in Canada With Just Your Phone!

There’s something utterly magical about standing under a sky set ablaze by the Northern Lights, a shimmering curtains of green, pink, and violet dancing across the stars. You don’t need a fancy DSLR to capture that beauty. With a few tricks and a smartphone in hand, you can snap jaw-dropping photos of the aurora borealis right here in Canada.

Whether you’re in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Alberta, or Newfoundland, here’s your step-by-step guide to capturing this bucket-list phenomenon using just your phone.

Step 1: Pick the Right Place and Time

Where to Go:

Canada is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Some top spots include:

• Yellowknife, NWT: One of the most consistent aurora-viewing locations.
• Whitehorse, Yukon: Scenic and aurora-rich.
• Jasper National Park, Alberta: A dark sky preserve with stunning views.
• Churchill, Manitoba: Remote but aurora-packed.

When to Go:

• Best months: Late September to early April, when the nights are longest.
• Ideal time: Between 10 PM and 2 AM: but always check local aurora forecasts (apps like My Aurora Forecast or websites like AuroraWatch.ca).

Step 2: Use the Right Phone Camera Settings

Modern smartphones can be surprisingly powerful night photography tools, if you adjust your settings properly. Here’s how:

iPhone Tips (especially iPhone 11 and newer):

• Use the Night Mode: It kicks in automatically in low light. Tap the moon icon and set the exposure time to the max (up to 30s with a tripod).
• Tap to focus on the sky, then slide your finger up/down to adjust exposure.

Android Tips (Samsung, Pixel, etc.):

Use Pro Mode or Night Sight if available.

Adjust manually:

• ISO: Start with 800–1600
• Shutter Speed: 10–20 seconds
• Focus: Set to “infinity” (∞) if available
• White Balance: Set to daylight or auto

Pro Tip: If your native camera app doesn’t allow manual controls, try apps like ProCamera (iOS) or Camera FV-5 (Android).

Step 3: Stabilize Your Phone

Long exposures need zero movement. Otherwise, your photo will be a blurry mess.

• Use a tripod with a phone mount. Even a small travel tripod or a gorilla pod works great.
• No tripod? Improvise! Place your phone on a rock, car roof, or steady surface.
• Use a remote shutter or your phone’s timer (3–10 seconds) to avoid shaking when pressing the button.

Step 4: Patience, Practice, and a Bit of Editing

Auroras can be faint or sudden, so patience is key. Take multiple shots and tweak settings as you go. Don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts don’t look like Instagram-level masterpieces.

Later, use free apps like Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, or VSCO to fine-tune the contrast, brightness, and colors.

Bonus Tips for the Perfect Shot:

• Dress very warm as you’ll be standing still in freezing conditions.
• Turn off your flash, HDR, and live photo (they’re not useful here).
• Use a lens cleaning cloth as cold weather can fog up or frost your phone lens.
• If possible, shoot in RAW (some apps allow this) for better editing flexibility.

Final Thought: You Don’t Need Fancy Gear to Capture Magic

The Northern Lights are a gift from nature, and now your phone can help you preserve that magic. Whether you’re an adventurer in a parka under the Yukon sky or standing in a quiet field in Alberta, what matters most is being present, feeling the wonder, and taking your best shot.

Go chase the lights. Your phone’s ready. Are you?