ATLANTA — If you're in Georgia, you could be in for a treat. The northern lights could be visible tonight and overnight as far south as metro Atlanta and northern Alabama.
To make the most of this stunning phenomenon, here's how to capture breathtaking shots using your iPhone, with expert advice from Travelfoss, a travel guide and 11Alive photojournalists.
Choose the Right iPhone Model:
While Night Mode is available on iPhone 11 and newer models, the quality of your shots may vary. For better results, consider using an iPhone 13 or newer model, which offers enhanced camera capabilities. The difference in image quality, especially in low-light conditions, can be substantial.
Enable Night Mode:
Night Mode is your best friend when it comes to capturing the northern lights. This feature automatically adjusts your iPhone's camera settings for optimal low-light conditions, resulting in clearer and more detailed photos. To activate Night Mode, simply ensure it's enabled in your camera settings. For iPhone 11 and above, this feature is readily available.
Adjust Exposure Time:
For the best results, tweak the exposure time to maximize the potential of your shot. Access the hidden settings menu in the iPhone's camera app by tapping the top arrow. Locate the Night Mode icon and adjust the exposure time slider to the maximum, typically 30 seconds for tripod setups. This extended exposure time allows your iPhone to capture the full brilliance of the northern lights.
Fine-tune Exposure Adjustment:
In certain scenarios, such as when surrounded by bright snow, you may need to adjust exposure further to prevent overexposure. Access the hidden settings menu again and change the Exposure Adjustment to a negative value, balancing the brightness of your photo.
Preserve Settings:
To streamline your photography experience, ensure your iPhone preserves specific settings like Exposure Adjustment and Night Mode. Head to Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings and toggle the desired options to maintain your preferred configurations.
Consider a Tripod:
Stability is key when capturing long-exposure shots of the northern lights. Investing in a tripod will ensure your iPhone remains steady throughout the shooting process, resulting in sharper and more professional-looking photos. Opt for a sturdy tripod made from durable materials, such as metal, to withstand cold weather conditions.
With the right settings and equipment, your iPhone has the potential to capture stunning images of the northern lights, even in unexpected locations like Georgia.
Editor's note: The original version of this story was published in May 2024. 11Alive is republishing this story as Georgians lookout for the possibility of seeing northern lights Thursday and overnight.
Photos from May 2024
Back in May, you could look up to the skies in Georgia and see a phenomenon that is rarely ever seen this far south.
That was because there was a G5 Geomagnetic Storm Observation across the United States on May 10, the first time it has ever happened here since 2003. Also known formally as the aurora borealis, the northern lights are most typically found in high-latitude regions like the Arctic and Antarctic.
Check out the photos below.
