Can you capture the Aurora Borealis using a regular drone like the Mavic 3? Absolutely! However, photographing the Northern Lights with a drone presents unique challenges. Unlike a tripod-mounted camera, a drone cannot stay perfectly still, making it difficult to achieve sharp images. Furthermore, the lights are often too faint to be visible on the drone’s mobile screen, forcing you to guess their position relative to the camera. Despite these obstacles, I managed to capture some stunning shots near Tønsvika in Tromsø.
Challenges of Drone Photography in Low Light
One of the biggest hurdles when photographing the Northern Lights with a drone is motion. Long exposure shots require absolute stability, which drones lack. Even the most advanced stabilization systems cannot fully compensate for slight movements caused by wind or drone adjustments. Additionally, the high ISO settings needed for low-light photography introduce noise, reducing image quality.
How to Improve Drone Shots of the Aurora
While challenging, it is possible to enhance drone photography of the Northern Lights with these strategies:
- Use Manual Settings: Adjust ISO, shutter speed, and aperture manually to balance light sensitivity and motion blur.
- Choose the Right Conditions: Shoot on calm, clear nights with minimal light pollution.
- Experiment with Multiple Shots: Take several photos and use post-processing software to enhance clarity.
- Use a Fast Lens: If your drone has adjustable camera settings, opt for a wide aperture to capture more light.
The Beauty of Tønsvika’s Skies
Tønsvika, located in Tromsø Municipality, offers breathtaking Arctic landscapes. The fjords, mountains, and vast open skies provide an ideal setting for Northern Lights photography. Despite the difficulties, capturing the aurora from the sky gives a unique perspective, showcasing the lights’ movement in ways ground-based photography cannot.
Check out the images below and see the results of my attempts at drone-based Northern Lights photography!
Location: 69° 45.7379′ 0″ N 19° 11.7286′ 0″ E