Photograph the Northern Lights like a pro with your iPhone | Tips

ATLANTA — If you’re in Georgia, you’re in for a treat. The Northern Lights could be visible as far south as metro Atlanta and northern Alabama tonight and overnight.

To make the most of this amazing phenomenon, here’s how to take breathtaking photos with your iPhone, with expert advice from travel guide Travelfoss and 11Alive photojournalists. I will.

RELATED: Northern lights possible over Georgia tonight | What you need to know

Night mode is available on iPhone 11 and later models, but shot quality may vary. For better results, consider using an iPhone 13 or newer model with enhanced camera features. The difference in image quality can be significant, especially in low-light conditions.

Night mode is your best friend when photographing the Northern Lights. This feature automatically adjusts your iPhone’s camera settings for optimal low-light conditions to capture clearer, more detailed photos. To enable night mode, just make sure it’s enabled in your camera’s settings. For iPhone 11 and newer, this feature is available right away.

For best results, adjust exposure time to maximize shot potential. Tap the arrow at the top to access the hidden settings menu in your iPhone’s camera app. Find the night mode icon and adjust the exposure time slider to its maximum value (usually 30 seconds for a tripod setup). This extended exposure time allows your iPhone to capture the full glow of the aurora borealis.

In certain scenarios, such as when surrounded by bright snow, you may need to adjust the exposure further to avoid overexposure. Revisit the hidden settings menu and change the exposure adjustment to a negative value to balance the brightness of your photo.

To streamline your photo shoots, make sure certain settings like exposure adjustments and night mode are saved on your iPhone.[設定]>[カメラ]>[設定を保持]Go to and toggle the options you want to maintain your preferred settings.

Stability is important when taking long exposure shots of the Northern Lights. Investing in a tripod will keep your iPhone steady throughout the shooting process, giving you clearer, more professional-looking photos. Choose a sturdy tripod made of durable materials such as metal to withstand cold weather conditions.

With the right settings and equipment, you can capture stunning images of the Northern Lights on your iPhone, even in unexpected locations like Georgia.

Editor’s note: original version This article was published in May 2024. 11Alive is republishing this article as Georgians take note of the possibilities. About seeing the Northern Lights on Thursday and night.

Back in May, when we looked up at the skies over Georgia, we saw a phenomenon rarely seen this far south.

That’s because G5 geomagnetic storm observations were conducted across the United States on May 10th, the first such observations since 2003. Northern lights, also formally known as aurora borealis, are typically seen at high latitudes, such as: North Pole and South Pole.

See photos below.

Related: Photo gallery from Aurora, Georgia