Recommended Equipment for how to photograph the Northern Lights in Fairbanks Alaska with a smartphone and tripod

Essential Shopping List

Buying Guide: Why Each Item Matters

Smartphone with Night Mode

Your phone is the heart of the operation. For northern lights photography, you need a model that offers a manual or pro mode (allowing you to adjust ISO, shutter speed, and focus) or at least a dedicated Night Mode that can handle long exposures (10–30 seconds). The iPhone 14/15 Pro series and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are top choices because they have large sensors, optical image stabilization, and raw capture capability. Without manual controls, your phone will default to auto-exposure, resulting in blurry, washed-out green streaks instead of sharp curtains of light. Search for phones with “Night Mode” and “Pro Raw” for best results.

Sturdy Tripod with Smartphone Mount and Bluetooth Remote

This is non-negotiable. The northern lights require exposures of 5–30 seconds—any hand-holding will introduce shake. You need a tripod that can handle sub-zero temperatures (look for aluminum or carbon fiber legs with rubber feet for snow stability). The mount must grip your phone securely—avoid small, flimsy clips that might snap in cold plastic. A Bluetooth remote lets you trigger the shutter without touching the phone, eliminating vibration. Beware of tripods with plastic or rubber components that stiffen in extreme cold; all-metal or reinforced designs fare better.

External Battery Pack

Fairbanks in winter can drop to -20°F or colder. Your phone’s battery will drain exponentially faster in these conditions. A 10,000+ mAh pack with a cold-rated design (some brands claim operation down to -20°F) is essential. Keep the pack in an inner jacket pocket close to body heat; run a short cable to your phone while shooting. Standard lithium-ion packs fail below freezing—look for ones with “low temperature” or “arctic” ratings.

Gloves (Touchscreen-Compatible, Insulated)

You’ll be operating tiny buttons and sliders on your phone’s screen. Standard gloves are too thick; thin gloves won’t protect your fingers. The solution: insulated gloves with conductive fingertips (often marketed as “ski touchscreen gloves”). A second layer of liner gloves (wool or silk) inside is wise for extreme cold. Avoid gloves with bulky seams that interfere with tapping—test with your phone before the trip.

Headlamp with Red Light Mode

You’ll be setting up in complete darkness in remote areas (e.g., Murphy Dome, Chena Lakes). A headlamp frees your hands. The red light mode is critical—white light can ruin your night vision and disturb others’ shots. Look for a red LED that can be toggled easily with gloves on. Brightness should be >200 lumens for white light for hiking, but red mode should be dimmable to avoid blowing out long exposures.

Camera App (Pro or Manual Mode)

Your phone’s built-in camera app may not offer the controls you need. Download a dedicated manual camera app like ProCam (iOS) or Lightroom Mobile (Android/iOS) that lets you set ISO (800–3200), shutter speed (10–30 sec), and focus to infinity. Many free apps cap shutter speed at 1–2 seconds; you need at least 10 seconds. Test the app for raw capture (DNG or RAW)—this gives you far more flexibility to edit greens and purples later.

Lens Cleaning Kit

Cold air causes condensation on your phone lens the moment you take it from a warm pocket. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth removes this fog. Anti-fog wipes (like those for ski goggles) can be applied to the lens pre-shoot to prevent fogging for 30–60 minutes. Do not use tissues or rough fabrics—they’ll scratch the lens coating.

Hand Warmers

Beyond comfort, warmers keep your fingers functional for setting exposure sliders. Reusable gel warmers (crystallizing type) are great because they last 1–2 hours and can be reactivated. Disposable chemical warmers work in extreme cold but are single-use. Place one inside each glove and one in your battery pack pocket to keep the pack warm.

Portable Phone Case (Water-Resistant, Thermal)

A standard phone case is insufficient. You need a thermal case (often with a neoprene or insulated interior) that protects against moisture from snow or fog. Water resistance is key—snow falling on your phone can freeze and short the charging port. Some cases come with a tether to attach to your tripod. Beware of cases too thick to fit in your tripod mount—measure your phone’s width before buying.

Small Reflector or White Card (for Foreground Light Painting)

The northern lights will be bright, but the foreground (snow, trees, rocks) will be pitch black. A small white card or collapsible reflector lets you “paint” light onto these elements during a long exposure. Hold the card in front of a low-intensity headlamp or another person’s phone light, and gently sweep the reflected light across the foreground for 2–3 seconds. This adds depth and prevents a silhouette-only shot. Avoid using direct flashlight—it creates harsh, unflattering shadows.