How to take Northern Light pictures with iPhone 14 Pro Max?

Capturing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) with an iPhone 14 Pro Max can be challenging, but it's definitely possible with the right techniques and settings. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you take stunning Northern Lights pictures:

• Pick a location far away from city lights and light pollution to get the best view of the Northern Lights.
• Before heading out, check the local aurora forecast. Apps like Aurora Forecast or websites like SpaceWeatherLive can help you predict the auroral activity.
• Stability is crucial when shooting long-exposure shots. Invest in a good tripod to keep your iPhone steady.
• To avoid camera shaking when pressing the shutter button, use a timer or a remote shutter release.
  • In the manual camera app, adjust your exposure settings: Set ISO to a low value (usually 100 or 200) to reduce noise.
  • Open the aperture to its widest setting (lowest f-number) to allow more light in.
  • Experiment with exposure time (shutter speed). Start with a few seconds (e.g., 5-10 seconds) and adjust as needed. Longer exposure times can capture more detail but might result in star trails.
• Turn off autofocus and focus manually on a distant object or use the infinity focus point if available. The Northern Lights are usually at a considerable distance from your camera.
• The iPhone 14 Pro Max likely has advanced HDR capabilities. Experiment with these modes to capture the dynamic range of the Northern Lights.
• If your camera app supports it, shoot in RAW format for more editing flexibility in post-processing.
• Compose your shot carefully, including interesting foreground elements if possible. This adds depth and context to your Northern Lights photo.
• The Northern Lights can be unpredictable. Take multiple shots with different settings and compositions to increase your chances of getting a great shot.
• After capturing your images, use photo editing apps like Adobe Lightroom, Snapseed, or even the built-in Photos app to enhance and fine-tune your pictures.
• Northern Lights can appear and disappear quickly, so be patient and keep your camera ready.

Remember that taking great Northern Lights photos with a smartphone, even a high-end one like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, may require some practice and experimentation. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts aren't perfect. Keep refining your techniques, and you'll improve your chances of capturing stunning Aurora Borealis images.

This information is not for iPhone 14 . Unless mine is unique and I am missing Features like aperture, focus, iso control etc,

Learn how to take photos with the Camera on your iPhone. Choose from camera modes such as Photo, Video, Cinematic, Pano, and Portrait, and zoom in or out to frame your shot.

Learn iPhone camera basics - Apple Support

Learn about Photographic Styles, QuickTake, Action mode, the Ultra Wide camera, and other camera features on your iPhone.

Understand About the Camera features on your iPhone - Apple Support (IN)

By default, iPhone takes photos in HDR (for the rear camera and the front camera) when it’s most effective. iPhone 12 models, iPhone 13 models, and iPhone 14 models, record video in HDR to capture true-to-life colour and contrast.

Take appropriate action to Adjust HDR camera settings on iPhone - Apple Support (IN)

The camera modes built into your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch help you take the ideal photo or video. Swipe left or right on the camera screen to switch to a different mode. You can choose from photo, video, time-lapse, slo-mo, square, Portrait, and pano modes.

For this, you may Use camera modes on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

With the Camera on models that support Portrait mode, you can apply a depth-of-field effect that keeps your subject—people, pets, objects, and more—sharp while creating a beautifully blurred foreground and background. You can apply and adjust different lighting effects to your Portrait mode photos, and on iPhone X and later, you can even take a selfie in Portrait mode.

Learn how to --> Take Portrait mode photos with your iPhone camera

Learn about advanced Camera features that let you capture photos faster, apply tailored and enhanced looks to your photos, and view content outside the camera frame.

Try to Change advanced camera settings on iPhone - Apple Support

Use the Camera to record videos and QuickTake videos on your iPhone. Learn how to change modes to take Cinematic, slow-motion, and time-lapse videos.

Here you can see an Apple Article with all video recording options --> Record videos with your iPhone camera - Apple Support

Taking tips from here may also help you. --> Tutorials | iPhone Photography School

The best awnser I found was here > https://www.travelfoss.com/how-to-photo-shoot-the-northern-lights-with-your-iphone-aurora-borealis/

Using the extended time setting can give you up to 10 sec exposure. But that means either a tripod or a VERY steady hand. If the camera senses any movement after 3 sec. It closes the shutter. I found using a fence or the sign post to steady my hand, it is possible to take great pictures of the Lights. Nov 09, 2023 Reykjavick Iceland.

Also if the Lights are "really" visible to your naked eye, shoot video, it's amazing.

I have been taking photos of the Northern Lights with my iPhone for several years. It is quite easy to shoot the lights, see https://www.travelfoss.com/how-to-photo-shoot-the-northern-lights-with-your-iphone-aurora-borealis/. I recommend to buy a tripod for better results.