Chasing the Aurora: How to Photograph the Northern Lights (Phone or Camera)

The Northern Lights are rare here — but when they show up, they’re unforgettable. This workshop will help you be ready before the next big night.

Whether you’re using a phone or a camera, you’ll learn how to plan, capture, and edit aurora images in a way that looks natural and true to the experience.

We’ll cover:

• How auroras work (and what actually matters for visibility)
• Forecasts & apps: what to watch and when to go
• Finding locations: darkness, direction, foregrounds, and safety
• Capturing the aurora with a phone vs. camera (what changes, what doesn’t)
• Focusing at night + common mistakes
• Starter settings + a simple checklist you can keep
• Live editing demo: turning a raw aurora image into a final look
• Take-home handout with the planning + settings cheat sheet

Bring:

• Your phone (charged)
• Optional: camera + tripod if you have one (not required)

This is practical, beginner-friendly, and built around real-world success—not technical overload.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Alcove by Washington Pavilion, 151 East 4th Place, Sioux Falls, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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