NOOB, NEED HELP PHOTOGRAPHING AURORA,

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sut

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Hi guys,

After taking advice from these forums i have brought a Nikon d3100 with a 18-55mm lens,
Now i am a total noob to camera's like these and while it will work great when i need it to as a point and shoot i need guidance with taking photo's of the aurora borealis.

i am attempting to find out in basic terms what setting i should set the camera to to try and get good images, i know you guys on here are experts and will probably change a million and 1 different setting with each shoot to get the perfect picture as you have them skills i on the other hand lack them skills so would like to know the best setting to preset my camera to for me to have the best chances,

thank you for any help you can give me

thanks
anthony
 
There have been a few threads on photographing the Aurorae recently - do a forum search and see what you can find! Plenty of good advice on the interweb as a whole, too - from ISO choice to shutter speed and aperture etc. Happy searching and good luck.
 
It was my first attemp recently. I had fairly successful results , I set my Shutter to "bulb" and mounted the camera to a tripod and manualy held the shutter button for 90 seconds whle timing it on my moble phone.

My apature was wide open and I shot between 800-1250ISO

Here are my results. (photobucket is mucking up the colours)

SHM_8934.jpg


SHM_8929.jpg


Good luck! :)

Stuart
 
thanks for the advice guys, stu_the_flat very nice pictures and thanks for showing them,

what do you mean by set shutter to bulb?
 
ajust your shutter speed it will go alll the way to 30 seconds, after that it with just say "Bulb" then the shutter will stay open for as long as you hold the button down.

Stuart
 
first question is :)
do you have a tripod?
also do you have a remote shutter release?
for a remote, you can always use a nice android app which should control the BULB exposure for you, which is basically a manually adjustable shutter control over 30 seconds.
 
Oh another thing is in these 90 sec exposures there is a tiny amount of "star trailing"

If you want to keep your stars pin sharp you want to keep your shutter speed below 30 seconds (or mount it onto an equatorial mount (not cheap!))

but would just recommend that you just go out and try diffrent settings and see what you like before rushing out and spending money.
 
stu_the_flat thanks again just need to work out how to change shutter speed lol. DizMatt yes i do have a tripod i don't have a remote shutter release was going to buy from ebay but you think that i can download an app or it?
thank you for the star trail tip.

so as i understand it then i need to increase my shutter speed to 30 secs plus to capture the A,B

THANKS
SUT
 
sut, check in your manual (VERY useful book - give it a read! ;) ) but I'm pretty sure you'll need to be in S mode to set the camera to "Bulb". If you use the ML-L3 (or similar) IR remote, IIRC, you can press it once to open the shutter and again to close it when you've timed the required period. Again, check the manual to make sure I've got it right - I don't always, just almost always!!!

Stu, if I may comment on your pics, IMO (and it's only MO) the lit chalet spoils it, drawing one's attention away from the (in comparison) very dim Aurora display in the background. Were they taken in the UK or somewhere more exotic?
 
I don't know your location but get as far north as you can. For the really dramatic AB shots you need to be far, far north :) I think we struggle to get decent shots of it in the UK.

Ideally you want the widest aperture and shortest shutter speed to catch the shapes, but you will struggle with that in the UK I think. The longer the shutter speed the more it just becomes a green light.

Even if you can't see anything with the naked eye, try the camera on the longer exposure, it could well pick it up.

It depends on the look you are after also.
 
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stu_the_flat I am based in birmingham but will be taking the photo's of the A,B next month in Iceland,

Nod i am reading the manual but i am a total noob with this so a lot of what i'm reading i don't understand in the first place it appears i need M mode in that mode i can adjust both shutter speed and aperture ( i understand aperture needs to be controlled as well ) and thanks for the remote advice they are on ebay for less than £2 if i'm looking at the right thing.

graphilly i know im a noob but i understood you want the shutter open longer for more exposure with the aperture open as much as it can. ( i could be wrong though) so your advice is new but nothing to stop me doing both.

once again thanks for the advice finding it really helpful as when you give the advice i refer to manual to see how to do what you guys say,

thank you
 
Sut, I've looked at the remotes on Amazon earlier today and genuine Nikon ones seem to be down to about £4 now - IMO, worth it for the peace of mind over a super cheap alternative. Chances are that a super cheapy will be fine but you don't want to find out it isn't in the wilds of Iceland! BTW, speaking from personal experience, the remote's battery WILL run out when you most need the thing - keep a spare in your bag, just in case!
 
do you have a direct link for the remote please as im not sure what 1 i'm after,

thanks
 
thank you ordered,

so i have to set my camera to have the shutter speed open for a long time and the aperture open wide is there anything else i need to know to help mne get goods pics of the A/B

thanks
anthony
 
Keep your fingers crossed that they're displaying well during your Iceland trip!

Try Googling Aurora photography and you'll be sure to find some good advice - if there's a gallery on the sites you click on, have a look and see if the writer has managed to get some good shots following his/her own advice. If you're lucky, they'll have included exposure details like aperture and length of exposure.

A small torch can be handy so you can see the seond hand of your watch (OK, you probably wear a digital with a light! and the controls on your camera. Be careful not to shine it into or onto the front of the lens during an exposure though.
 
my camera has a light on the front to the right of the lens that shines when i press the button to take a photo it seems to go off when the camera takes the actual photo but what is this light what is it for and how the hell do i turn it off, i think its called the af assist illuminator do i need it on or what?

thanks
 
sut said:
stu_the_flat I am based in birmingham but will be taking the photo's of the A,B next month in Iceland,

Nod i am reading the manual but i am a total noob with this so a lot of what i'm reading i don't understand in the first place it appears i need M mode in that mode i can adjust both shutter speed and aperture ( i understand aperture needs to be controlled as well ) and thanks for the remote advice they are on ebay for less than £2 if i'm looking at the right thing.

graphilly i know im a noob but i understood you want the shutter open longer for more exposure with the aperture open as much as it can. ( i could be wrong though) so your advice is new but nothing to stop me doing both.

once again thanks for the advice finding it really helpful as when you give the advice i refer to manual to see how to do what you guys say,

thank you
Click to expand...

No, I am saying try and keep the time that the shutter is open as short as possible and keep the aperture as wide open as possible. You will get better shapes to the aurora instead of just the blanket of green that you regularly see.

From what I can gather from your set-up, keep it at the smallest number, f3.5 if you are at 18mm. Unfortunately as that is the smallest you can go you are still probably going to be needing to keep your time fairly long too, because you won't be able to push your ISO too high. If it was me I'd be looking at shots less than 10secs. Especially if it is a strong aurora.

Forget the confusing part I said about trying the camera on the longer exposure. That was only if you were in the UK. You would be surprised just what the camera picks up, even on nights with low aurora activity, even down to the Solway Firth. You are in Iceland so hopefully you should be able to get some nice shots.

When are you heading out there? I'm considering a trip in March time if things go right.
 
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sut said:
thank you ordered,

so i have to set my camera to have the shutter speed open for a long time and the aperture open wide is there anything else i need to know to help mne get goods pics of the A/B

thanks
anthony
Click to expand...

Consider the composition of the shot too, have other things in the shot too. Just a picture of the aurora against the sky is boring to me.
 
graphilly thank you for your advice. as i say i am a total noob with all this so from what i understand of your post for best result i should i should keep the aperture as small as possible f3.5 ( although mine dont seem to go below f5.3 ) and as you say above and keep the shutter speed around the 10 second mark is this correct?

i go fly out november and you shouldnt consider you should really just go if possible it is a fantastic place to go it a place everyone should see before they die so much more to see than the A/B
 
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LOL thank you yes i see, so i take it for taking photo's of the A/B i would have the camera lens set to 18mm setting.
 
sut said:
my camera has a light on the front to the right of the lens that shines when i press the button to take a photo it seems to go off when the camera takes the actual photo but what is this light what is it for and how the hell do i turn it off, i think its called the af assist illuminator do i need it on or what?

thanks
Click to expand...

You are quite correct, that's the AF assist light - basically a little torch that lights up close subjects so the AF can see them and lock on. I don't think there's any way to tuen it off - again, check the manual! (Look in the index under AF illuminator or at the picture near the front which may have a page number beside the description).

Look through the viewfinder when you're setting up the shot - use whichever zoom setting you feel gives the best picture. Try to get something of interest in front of the Aurora - a tree, an interesting building or similar, silouetted against the Aurora add some interest to the shot. Try with and without and see which you prefer. Shoot at several different focal lengths too - you don't need to get all the pics printed - that's one of the joys of digital!

It may be worth investing in one of the books available (I like the Magic Lantern ones) to accompany your camera. Much less technical than the Nikon manual, far more readable and they tend to explain why and when to use settings rather than just how to set them. The Digital Photographer's Handbook by Tom Ang is worth a read too - maybe add it to your list to Santa.
 
There are many courses run via the local college that are cheap & informative

I suggest you have a look at one to get the basics in place you will then zoom forward
 
sorry if i missed it but ,, has anyone said to focus at infinity and then turn off the af ??
 
Nod said:
Stu, if I may comment on your pics, IMO (and it's only MO) the lit chalet spoils it, drawing one's attention away from the (in comparison) very dim Aurora display in the background. Were they taken in the UK or somewhere more exotic?
Click to expand...

Cheers for the advice,

it was taken on holiday in perthshire, and I wanted t5hem as holiday snaps! ;0

but i might be able to do a better job post processing
 
Hi Sut,

You're so lucky to be going to Iceland - I hope you get some good images!

Just a thing to be aware of - I have a D3100 and as far as I know you'll need to buy a cable release - it won't work with an infra red remote.

Also, if you're looking to buy a book I can recommend the Expanded Guide published by Ammonite Press. I was given one for Christmas and it's really good at explaining the camera and all its settings.

Good luck with the Aurora!
 
Dem55 said:
Just a thing to be aware of - I have a D3100 and as far as I know you'll need to buy a cable release - it won't work with an infra red remote.
Click to expand...


Oh, god! How embarassing, you're right. In my defence, I'm sure one of the IR remotes says it's suitable for use with the D3100 but I should have checked the (now downloaded) manual to make sure.

Sut, I'm so sorry to have pointed you at the wrong remote - at least it's a relatively cheap accessory and you should be able to either return it to the seller as an honest mistaken purchase or possibly sell it on here once you reach the requirements (not sure what they are now - check the rules).

This http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&...hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_xxg23plip_b is a link to the correct remotes (Nikon's part number is MC-DC2) and this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Timer-Remote-Switch-control-MC-DC2/dp/B003YDWJGI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ph_3 appears to have some extra features (long exposure time settings among them) which you may find useful.

Sut, again my apologies - if you had classifieds access, I would offer to buy the wrong thing off you but trading is restricted to more established members and there's no way around the rules to permit such a purchase (unless maybe a mod spots this and allows a special exemption to allow me to redeem myself for the mistake). I hope that you finally get the correct release and manage some fine shots of the AB - I look forward to reading an account of your trip to Iceland - it sounds like you've been before. Is it as expensive as a tourist as some would have you believe? (Car hire, hotels etc?) When might be the best time to visit, with a good chance of Aurora sightings but decent weather and not too cold?
 
donutagain i dont remember anyone saying about focus at infinity and af what is this and how do i do it?

nod its really not an issue please dont feel bad for it just thank you for all the advice and help you have given me. i will buy this 1 now so should do the job http://www.amazon.co.uk/Remote-Swit...7IAI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1350854787&sr=8-4

anyone needing a infa red remote please let me know and i will send it you ( no charges just a thanks for all the help i have had on here )

thanks
 
That's very kind of you, Sut and a great gesture to give the incorrect one away for free. AFAIK, there should be no problems with a give away, as long as there are no charges involved. ( http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=440534 will tell you more)

To focus at infinity, aim the camera at the moon or a distant building/geographical feature and focus. It can be worth switching to manual focus and taping the focus ring so it can't move (the focussing can be done in daylight [if using distant geographical features - moon usually needs darkness!]) You need to do this because the Aurora is so transparent that the camera's AF will have real problems focussing on it.

Again, good luck and have a great trip.
 
hi

yes the thing is free i will even pay the postage myself. once again thank you for all the help,

if i recap what i understand i need to adjust the shutter speed to bulb so i can select the amount of time the shutter stays open, i then need to open the aperture wide, i then have to focus to infinity, is this correct?
i have also had people telling me about ISO what is this and what do i need to do with it

once again thanks for all the help.
 
ISO is the sensitivity of your sensor - increasing it can make your images noisy (flecks of colour and light appeaar all over it, especially in shadow/dark areas). Take a few long exposures at night at increasing ISO settings to see how high you can take it before noise is too much of a problem. Long exposures in themselves can also cause noise - there's probably a setting somewhere in your camera's menu called (?) Long Exposure NR (Noise Reduction). May I suggest that you indulge yourself in a little heavier reading than you may usually enjoy and read your manual, it'll answer many of your questions before you ask them!

Yup, Shutter speed to bulb, as wide as your lens will go (smallest number), focus on infinity and as high an ISO as you can while being happy with the noise.
 
NOD your my new hero spiderman has nothing on you. i have been waiting for a clear night so i can test the camera to see what results i can get,

i have read the manual 3 times now but while it tells me how to adjust the iso and shutter speed and things like that i dont really tell what they are for and how best used so not much use to me. and within the manual nothing tells me anything about taking photo's of the A,B so while i can learn about the camer ais still need the experience of other with the knowledge to know the best setting,

sorry if im being a real noob and pain in the arse

thanks for all the help.
 
I'm less spiderman, more fatman!

For more information on how to use any camera rather than how to work your own, I would recommend a trip to your local library to see what books they have on photography. I would grab as many as you're allowed and see if any may be worth buying. Charity shops can also be worth a visit - books are often hugely underpriced there and there's always a slightly warm glow after making a donation. If what you buy turns out to just sit on the shelf, you can always donate it back to a shop so someone else can possibly benefit.

Google is your friend when it comes to AB photography - an internet friend who used to live in Norway once asked me about it and I found loads of interesting sites with a wealth of very knowlegeable advice. Can't remember the addresses or the authors' names but a quick google will find loads of sites. IIRC, I just googled aurora borealis photography and clicked on a few links on the first couple of pages. Look for pages with a few of the author's own pictures - they can show whether he/she knows what they're talking about.

Generally happy to help a noob - we were all noobs at some point, even if that point was 30+ years ago! If you (or anyone else) gets to be a PITA, it's very easy to be away from a keyboard for a while.

Wife now home from her yoga class, so food and social time!

Nod.
 
Hey mate, I went to Iceland last year and was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the aurora. I went in April, which isnt the best time to see them so got lucky - although did put in the effort. Drove to the spot (away from any lights in the middle of the night and waited 7 nights in a row!)

Northern-Lights1smaller-M.jpg
 
stunning photo. i went back in 2009 and took 2 trips to see the A,B and was lucky enough to see them on both nights although faint and only had point and shot camera so photo's really sucked, this year im going in november with a better camera and again have booked 2 trips first is taking a boat out on the night chasing the A,B as you can search for clear cloud cover the second is with a tour guide on the island.
can i ask what setting you used on your camera to get them pics as to me they look great.

thanks
anthony
 
Fred, as Sut has said, stunning photo - plenty of detail in the mountain and short enough exposure to catch the aurora without too much movement in it.

I'm hoping to take an Iceland trip at some point to see as many aspects of the place as possible. Where would you (and Sut, who's obviously been before ) recommend? I will be heading for the blue pool, a geysir field (or 2) and maybe a volcano. Also, what would you recommend we took? We're not big drinkers, so the high cost of booze over there doesn't phaze us but I'm sure there are other aspects that are as expensive (non smokers too).
 
Hi, thanks. Set up I used for this was:
Tripod
Mirror Lock Up
For focusing I actually set up just before darkness fell and focused on the mountain in the distance, set to manual focus and taped the lens there to be ready for the night (leaving my tripod in the same place)
I used an ISO of 1600
Shutter speeds of around 30 secs, as I didn't want much star movement
Apertures were low (around 2.8 - 5)

Thought I should also mention, the aurora actually looked stronger in the photos than in person
 
Below are some photos from the spots I enjoyed the most. Please note these are massively biased as Snaefellsness was the only place I had good weather!

Snaefellsness Peninsula:
Snaefellsness-Sunset2smaller-M.jpg


Saeberg-lighthouse-M.jpg


Kirkjufellsfoss1smaller-M.jpg


Godafoss
Godafoss-Panoramasmaller-M.jpg


Hvitserkur
Hvitserkursmaller-M.jpg


I REALLY wanted to get to Jokulsarlon and Landmannalaugar but didn't have time. I am dying to go back and these are right at the top of my list! I'm so jealous, you will absolutely love it
 
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