How to create real time video of the Aurora Borealis — Dave Williams

I get noticed in my daily adventures as a photo guide on a quest to capture the ethereal beauty of the northern lights in real-time video. With that comes many questions, and one that constantly pops up is how to film the northern lights in real-time. Join me as we delve into the intricacies of shooting the aurora borealis with the powerhouse combo of the Sony A7Siii and the Sigma 20mm f1.4 lens.

ISO and White Balance

The dance of the northern lights is a performance worth recording, and the Sony A7Siii paired with the Sigma 20mm f1.4 is your backstage pass to this celestial spectacle. Dial in a high ISO setting on your A7Siii to capture the subtle nuances of the aurora. Trust me; this camera thrives in low-light conditions, making it your ideal companion under the starlit Arctic sky.

Play around with your white balance settings to strike the right tone. The cold, crisp colours of the aurora demand a careful balance, so consider setting your white balance to around 3200K to 4000K for a natural and enchanting glow.

Real-Time Video Settings

Now, let’s talk about filming the aurora in real-time video. Set your Sigma 20mm f1.4 to its widest aperture (f1.4) to allow as much light as possible to hit the sensor. This brightens your footage and adds a dreamy bokeh effect to the stars, enhancing the overall cinematic feel.

Experiment with different shutter speeds, but keep in mind that a slower shutter speed, around 1/30th of a second or slower, can help capture the graceful movement of the northern lights, creating a mesmerizing and fluid video.

Adobe Premiere Pro Export Settings

Now, let’s fast forward to the editing room. Adobe Premiere Pro is your best friend when it comes to bringing your aurora footage to life. After meticulously crafting your masterpiece, optimise it for social media sharing. Export your video using H.264 compression and maintain a high bit rate for clarity and detail.

Crop your video to a square or tall aspect ratio for platforms like Instagram or go widescreen for YouTube. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and similar platforms require a 9:16 aspect ratio. And remember, the devil is in the details, so don’t forget to add a touch of sharpening to make those stars pop against the canvas of the night sky.