Chasing the Aurora: How to Photograph the Northern Lights (Phone or Camera)
Schedule
Thu Mar 26 2026 at 06:00 pm to 07:30 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Alcove by Washington Pavilion | Sioux Falls, SD
About this Event
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.
Where is it happening?
Alcove by Washington Pavilion, 151 East 4th Place, Sioux Falls, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 33.85

















