What to wear to Alaska and how to take photos of the Aurora Borealis in Alaska?

If you are going to Alaska to see the aurora, you definitely need the following strategies. First, you have to worry about what you're wearing. Secondly, there are some tips on aurora photography. In short, they are helpful for your travels.

: What to wear

1. Daily clothing

Thermal underwear, down jackets, leggings, it is best to choose those with high cashmere content, such as wool. . Do not wear a short jacket, it is best to wear a mid-length jacket with waterproof and cold-proof sweatpants on top to avoid getting wet when moving in the snow. Where are the shoes? It is best to have thicker ones with a waterproof coating. They should have insulation on the inside and non-slip shoe chains on the outside. It is best if they can adapt to minus 20 degrees Celsius. If you are not fully prepared, you can also buy it locally.

2. Basic clothing

In addition to the above daily use, there are some things that must be prepared. Gloves must be ready. It's best to prepare them to cool. One pair is light and flexible, the other is thick and warm. It is more convenient to take photos with both sets together. There are also masks, scarves, bibs or neck gaiters. Do you want them to be ready? In addition to keeping out the cold, the open air also provides protection from the wind.

3. Basic Artifacts

No matter how thick you wear when watching the aurora, you will always feel like you are frozen when you are waiting to see the aurora. At this time you should use a warm tote bag or keep your baby warm.

In addition, you must also prepare sunglasses, because the reflection in the snow will damage your eyes and cause snow blindness, so be sure to wear sunglasses. And sunscreen and lipstick. Lipstick can also provide sun protection. The sun at high latitudes can damage the skin and cause sunburn easily, so remember to be prepared with sun protection.

4. It is recommended to wear contact lenses if you wear glasses, because if you wear a mask in ice and snow, white gas will appear on the lenses more easily, which is inconvenient. If some glasses are sensitive and cause very dry and tearful eyes, try to avoid wearing contact lenses. If you wear glasses, avoid metal frames. Friends who can usually wear contact lenses can wear them in emergencies.

Aurora Photography

Going to Alaska is actually to photograph the aurora, so be mentally prepared to "get up earlier than a chicken and sleep later than a dog." Because aurora photography takes place at night, it’s best to go in groups.

1. Large aperture and wide-angle lens: This lens can accommodate the aurora in a large area, and combined with the surrounding scenic spots, the photo will not look monotonous and have a sense of hierarchy.

2. Tripod and remote control cord release: Long-term shooting and exposure require a tripod to help stabilize. To prevent fingers from being passively inspected, a remote cord release needs to be combined with a tripod so that the photos are not burnt.

3. Keep your camera warm and long-lasting: In the cold winter, not only do you need to wear clothes, but your camera also needs to wear clothes to prevent damage to the camera and extend the lighting. You have to prepare more spare batteries, batteries will run out quickly in such cold weather.

4. Lighting tools: In the wild at night, you need a ceiling lamp and a flashlight. It is recommended to prepare both. Easy to operate and avoid mistakes when taking pictures.

5. When taking pictures, the intensity of the aurora is different. The shutter time control and sensitivity setting of the camera are very important, which will affect the quality of the photo.