Paul Zizka 1/31/24 Paul Zizka 1/31/24

Polar Bears and Northern Lights: Photographing in Churchill, Manitoba

Nestled on the edge of the Arctic, where the icy embrace of the Hudson Bay meets the rugged terrain of the Canadian wilderness, lies Churchill, Manitoba. Known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World" and a prime destination for witnessing the Northern Lights, Churchill had been on my bucket list for years. I was finally able to make the trip in November 2023.

If something catches your eye, please check out the Limited Edition print collection on the shop (and reach out to me for any custom prints if you don’t see an image there).

Polar bear walking. Photo by Paul Zizka.

Two polar bears sparring on the tundra. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Housed safely aboard a Frontiers North Tundra Buggy ® I had several days out on the tundra to watch for polar bears, and keep my eyes out for the aurora borealis. Miraculously, everything converged once night and I was able to capture my dream image: a polar bear under the northern lights. What’s more, we had numerous bear sightings, never going more than 10 minutes without seeing one somewhere out there (and often right up next to the buggy).

Frontiers North Tundra Buggy. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Tundra Buggies near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Sunset over Frontiers North Tundra Buggy. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Curious polar bear in Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Polar bear snoozing, Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.

A polar bear strikes a regal pose. Photo: Paul Zizka.

One particularly special encounter was witnessing a mother with three cubs. We witnessed an incredibly intimate moment as she nursed them right there in the land. Sadly, one of the cubs was quite emaciated and had a hard time keeping up with the clan. The group became separated and the cub was left on its own, with very little chance of survival. Such is the life on the tundra, which was both humbling and heartbreaking to witness.

A mother bear and three cubs in Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Three polar bears cubs on the tundra in Churchill, Manitoba. The left-hand one was markedly smaller. Photo: Paul Zizka.

A mother bear nurses three cubs out on the tundra in Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.

A mother bear scares away a male on the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Mama bear leads her three cubs with another Tundra Buggy ® in the distance. Photo: Paul Zizka.

The stars aligned one night when the aurora borealis came to dance, and not one but two polar bears showed up at the same time. I frantically ran from one end of the buggy to the other trying to capture the scene as the polar bears moved over the tundra. It was one of those moments that, as a photographer, I needed to rely on my ingrained technical knowledge because I had to work very quickly. I am thrilled to have come away with a few shots.

Polar bear under northern lights near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Two polar bears under northern lights near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.

The Frontiers North Tundra Buggy under Northern Lights. Photo: Paul Zizka.

I am so grateful to have finally gotten the chance to photograph these remarkable creatures in Churchill, Manitoba. I hope you enjoy the collection.

A mother and cub polar bear near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Polar bears cuddling on the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.

If something catches your eye, please check out the Limited Edition print collection on the shop (and reach out to me for any custom prints if you don’t see an image there).

Paul Zizka 8/4/22 Paul Zizka 8/4/22

5 Tips for Viewing and Photographing the Northern Lights

In my mind, few natural phenomena match the magic or grandeur of the aurora borealis. I’ve been actively chasing this natural wonder, also known as the Northern Lights, for over a decade. Based on my experience chasing the lights, here are my top 5 tips for increasing your chances of viewing and/or photographing the northern lights.

In my mind, few natural phenomena match the magic or grandeur of the aurora borealis. I’ve been actively chasing this natural wonder, also known as the Northern Lights, for over a decade. I’ve witnessed the lights materialize in an array of colours—green, purple, pink, reddish, and white—in a variety of patterns and effects, from flashing and pulsing shapes to softly flowing ribbons of light.

How does the aurora borealis occur? Here’s the oversimplified version: when charged particles from the sun strike atoms in Earth’s atmosphere, they cause electrons in the atoms to move to a higher-energy state. When the electrons drop back to a lower energy state, they release photons (light). The wavelength of the photon determines the colour we will see, and the wavelength of the photon depends on the gas that’s being excited. Oxygen will emit green/yellow or red, ionized nitrogen will emit purple, nitrogen will emit light blue, and the other colours are caused by a blending of the two, among other factors.

Understanding the science behind the northern lights doesn’t guarantee that you will be able to see or photograph them. Based on my experience chasing the lights, here are my top 5 tips for increasing your chances of viewing and/or photographing the northern lights.

For a deeper look including tips for reading data, post-processing tips, and a thorough list of resources, check out my eBook: Guide to Viewing and Photographing the Northern Lights (use checkout code AURORAWATCH15 to save 15%!)

1. Understand Your Chances

Your chances of catching the northern lights depend on four factors aligning:

Northern lights activity
Clear skies
Unobstructed views north
Little light pollution.

Put simply, you need the lights to be active, but you also need to be able to see them.

Vermilion Lakes and Mount Rundle, Banff National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka.

2. Get the Right Tools for the Job

Set yourself up for success with the tools and gear that will help you achieve your goal. It doesn’t necessarily need to be the latest or most expensive gear either.

For viewing the northern lights, you’ll need:

A headlamp to help you navigate in the dark.
Access to aurora data or experts (find a list in my eBook!)
Don’t leave without gear and clothing to keep you comfortable including warm layers, warm footwear (cold feet are the beginning of the end!), and hand warmers or heating packs.

For photographing the northern lights:

A DSLR or mirrorless camera that can handle low-light situations
A lens with a fast aperture (ideally 2.8) and wide field of view (ie. 14-18 mm on a full-frame camera)
A sturdy tripod that you can adjust efficiently
For self-portraits or time-lapse: An intervalometer that enables you to program exposures ahead of time (some cameras have this built-in)
A bright headlamp (ideally 200 lumens+ with various beam shapes and power levels plus a red light setting) is useful for focusing images or illuminating subjects. Extra light sources like a Lume Cube can also be handy.

Use code PAULZIZKAPHOTO to save 10% on Lume Cube products.

Self-portrait, Banff National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka.

3. Plan Ahead

Preparation is key, especially when you want to savour every moment the lights are dancing above you.

Scout north-facing locations in the daytime to get a lay of the land and keep a few of these locations in your back pocket. Photographers may even wish to create a visual inventory of compositions in each bookmarked location.

Have a safety plan in place, particularly if you’re going to a remote location on a cold night. This includes packing a first-aid kit, means of communication, and bear spray as well as letting someone at home know what your plans are.

It’s best to be ready for the northern lights at a moment’s notice. Keep your devices and batteries fully charged so they are ready to grab and go at a moment’s notice. It’s also helpful to store spare batteries in warm pockets while in the field.

Ice climber under the aurora. Photo by Paul Zizka.

4. Take Technical Considerations

Photographers chasing the northern lights should keep in mind that night photography can be challenging and time-consuming. Here are some tips that have helped me come away with better images:

Shoot raw to give yourself as much data to work with in the editing room.
Rely on your histogram rather than your LCD to avoid going home with overly dark images.
Turn off auto ISO and shoot in manual mode. I’ve found that taking full control of the settings works better in night photography situations.
Use your lens hood to block stray light.
Use a two-second timer or trigger the shot with an intervalometer as the act of pressing the shutter button can be enough to introduce camera shake.

Download my eBook: Guide to Viewing and Photographing the Northern Lights where I provide my starting settings to help to you get off on the right foot. (Use checkout code AURORAWATCH15 to save 15%!)

A curtain of lights in Greenland. Photo by Paul Zizka.

5. Commit the Time

Remember that catching the aurora borealis requires patience and persistence. There are so many factors that need to align to catch a good show, so don’t be discouraged if it takes multiple tries. Enjoy the thrill of the chase and stick with it!

Walking away from a northern lights show with strong photographs takes time too. The “spray and pray” technique that is often employed during the day simply doesn’t work at night due to the time-consuming nature of long exposures and astrophotography. Don’t be afraid to commit as much as 30 minutes to a single frame. The more you practice, the more efficient you will be when Mother Nature shows off her beauty.

And whatever the results, I hope you’ll put your experience in nature ahead of the images.

Daughter’s first aurora. Self-portrait by Paul Zizka.

For a deeper look including tips for reading data, post-processing tips, and a thorough list of resources, check out my eBook: Guide to Viewing and Photographing the Northern Lights (use checkout code AURORAWATCH15 to save 15%!)

Learn more:

Take a peek at my gear list to see what I rely on in the field.

Learn astrophotography techniques in-person at my Banff at Night workshop or online through my Shooting Stars: The Art of Astrophotography course.

Check out my 10 Favourite Places to Shoot the Northern Lights.

Paul Zizka 3/10/21 Paul Zizka 3/10/21

NEOWISE in the Skies over Banff, Canada

It has been a once in a lifetime – more like millennia – event. The comet NEOWISE has been visible in the dark skies over my home town of Banff, Alberta, and it’s been a highlight of my career to photograph it. Knowing it’s such a rare event has added an exhilarating element to the creative task of capturing it, and to see it converge with such celestial wonders as the aurora borealis has been an unforgettable experience.

According to NASA: “Discovered on March 27, 2020, by NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) mission, Comet NEOWISE is putting on a dazzling display for skywatchers before it disappears, not to be seen again for another 6,800 years.”

→ All of these images are available as limited edition prints in our online print shop.

Comet NEOWISE over Banff, Canada. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Comet NEOWISE, noctilucent clouds, northern lights and mountains all join forces to create the most amazing celestial display over Banff, Canada. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Comet NEOWISE above Bow Falls, Banff National Park. Photo: Paul Zizka.

NEOWISE cruises over Cascade Mountain and the Town of Banff, Canada. Photo: Paul Zizka.

A climber descends by headlamp with NEOWISE looking on in Banff National Park. Photo: Paul Zizka.

Comet NEOWISE travelling over the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the Spray River, Banff, Canada.

→ All of these images are available as limited edition prints in our online print shop.

Paul Zizka 9/14/19 Paul Zizka 9/14/19

Photo Tips for Capturing the Northern Lights

I frequently get asked for tips on how to photograph the aurora borealis. Capturing the dancing lights is a fine science of checking the data, ensuring you have optimal conditions, knowing your gear, and being ready to wait... and wait... and wait. It takes patience to capture that green glow and come home with images you're happy with. Here are some of my best tips.

I frequently get asked for tips on how to photograph the aurora borealis. I’ve written a whole eBook about it (check out Paul Zizka’s Guide to Viewing and Photographing Northern Lights), but here’s a little snippet for you! Capturing the dancing lights is a fine science of checking the data, ensuring you have optimal conditions, knowing your gear, and being ready to wait... and wait... and wait. It takes patience to capture that green glow and come home with images you're happy with.

Here are some of my best tips:

1. Don’t forget everything else you know about photography.

The first time you shoot the lights, you’ll probably be thrilled with any image that shows a touch of green. Focusing, composing, etc. are afterthoughts. With time, though, try to reintegrate all of the other photographic skills you’ve acquired on your journey. Shoot the way you would anything else: compose with intention, pay attention to flow and weight in your composition, get to know your subject, simplify, see if you can tie in that aurora with a foreground. A well-executed image of a weak aurora showing is more powerful than a clunky shot with a powerful display.

→ Save 25% off my online astrophotography course:
Shooting Stars: The Art of Astrophotography (just $36.75 CAD)

2. Be adaptable.

The aurora is a fickle phenomenon. Not only does it constantly appear and disappear, but it can also move around in the sky. And sometimes it doesn’t show up at all! Whatever hand you are dealt out there, make the most of it. If the lights don’t appear, strive to create and go home with the memories of a beautiful night out. If the lights move outside of your frame by the time you’re ready to shoot, take it as a great test on your way to become a versatile, quick-thinking photographer.

3. Don’t go home with overly dark images.

This is a very common pitfall for most aurora photographers. Because we are surrounded by darkness, the image that first pops up on our LCD can look much brighter than it actually is. In fact, it may be severely underexposed, a fact you might only realize too late once you’re sitting at home. An easy way to avoid that issue is to rely on the histogram to get a true representation of how bright your image really is. Often I find people are quite surprised to find that they need to at least double their shutter speed or ISO.

Coming to the Rockies this year? The ebook contains an index of the best places to shoot the aurora borealis between Banff and Lake Louise (save 10% with the code AURORA). You might find some helpful tips in there!

Did You Know?

The word "aurora" comes from the Roman goddess of the dawn, Aurora, who would travel east to west announcing the sun's arrival.

The cause is not 100% understood, but the Aurora Borealis (and Australis in the Southern Hemisphere) appear when solar wind (gas emitted by the Sun) interacts with the Earth's magnetosphere.

The colours are caused by various factors, such a whether electrons collide with oxygen or nitrogen and at what intensity. Oxygen will emit green/yellow or red; nitrogen will emit blue and the other colours are caused by a blending of the two.

Facts from Wiki.

10 Favourite Places to Shoot the Northern Lights

I’ll admit it: the northern lights are intoxicating. For many years I’ve been drawn to cold, northerly destinations, both as a photographer and an adventurer. And beyond the desolate beauty and landscapes of these locations, whether it’s Greenland or Canada’s northern territories, it’s icing on the cake that they also provide us with the best opportunities to shoot the aurora borealis.

Here are my top 10 favourite locations around the globe to shoot the northern lights, in no particular order of preference:

1. Alaska

In a nutshell: Perfect latitude, fantastic scenery to pair up with lights. Cloud cover can be an issue.

When to go: October to March.

Denali National Park, Alaska, USA. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

2. Canadian Prairies

In a nutshell: Nice low horizon, easy access. You need a decent show.

When to go: Year-round.

Canadian Prairies. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

3. Canadian Rockies

In a nutshell: Some of the most incredible skylines to pair with lights. Great displays are rare. High horizons make it more challenging to shoot.

When to go: Year-round.

Banff National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

→ Check out these Resources for Shooting the Canadian Rockies.

4. Greenland

In a nutshell: Zero light pollution, mind-blowing scenery. More difficult/expensive to access. Strong displays frequent.