Photography is an art form that has evolved significantly over the years, from the early days of black and white film to the modern digital era. 

One of the most fascinating aspects of photography is the ability to capture images beyond what the human eye can see. 

Infrared photography is one such technique that allows photographers to explore the world beyond visible light. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at infrared photography, how it works, and what makes it so unique.

What Is Infrared Photography?

Infrared photography is a technique that captures light beyond the visible spectrum. 

Infrared light has a longer wavelength than visible light and is emitted by all warm objects.

 Infrared photography works by using a specialized camera or modifying a regular camera to capture infrared light. 

The resulting images have a dreamy, surreal quality, with the sky appearing black, and foliage appearing white or pink.

How Does Infrared Photography Work?

Infrared photography works by using a filter or modifying the camera sensor to allow only infrared light to pass through. 

Traditional cameras have a filter that blocks infrared light, but by removing or replacing this filter, the camera can capture infrared light. 

Some cameras also have a dedicated infrared mode, which captures both visible and infrared light.

The resulting images have a distinctive look, with blue skies appearing black, and foliage appearing white or pink. 

This effect is due to the way different materials absorb and reflect infrared light. 

Vegetation, for example, reflects a lot of infrared light, while the sky absorbs it, leading to the unique appearance of infrared photographs.

Different Types of Infrared Photography

There are several different types of infrared photography, each with its unique look and feel. 

Here are some of the most common types:

Near-Infrared Photography: 

Near-infrared photography captures light in the 700-900 nanometer range, just beyond the visible spectrum. 

This type of infrared photography produces images that are similar to regular photographs, with a slight pinkish hue.

Standard Infrared Photography: 

Standard infrared photography captures light in the 700-1200 nanometer range, which creates a more surreal effect. 

This type of infrared photography produces images with white or pink foliage, and a black sky.

Deep Infrared Photography: 

Deep infrared photography captures light in the 1200-3000 nanometer range, which creates a very surreal effect. 

This type of infrared photography produces images with very white foliage, and a very dark sky.

Why Use Infrared Photography?

Infrared photography has several unique advantages that make it a popular choice for photographers. 

Here are some of the reasons why photographers choose to use infrared photography:

Unique Look and Feel:

Infrared photography produces images with a dreamy, surreal quality that is unlike any other type of photography.

Reveals Invisible Details:

Infrared photography can reveal details that are invisible to the human eye, such as veins in leaves, or the heat signatures of animals.

Reduces Haze:

Infrared photography can reduce the effect of atmospheric haze, making distant objects appear clearer.

Creates Contrast:

Infrared photography creates a high contrast effect, with white foliage and a dark sky, which can be visually striking.

Tips for Infrared Photography

Infrared photography can be tricky to master, but with a little practice, you can create some stunning images.

Here are some tips to help you get started with infrared photography:

Use a Tripod:

Infrared photography requires longer exposures than regular photography, so using a tripod is essential to avoid camera shake.

Experiment with Filters:

Different filters can produce different effects, so experiment with different types of filters to find the look you desire.

Shoot in RAW:

   

Shooting in RAW format will give you more flexibility when it comes to post-processing your images.

Look for Interesting Subjects:

Infrared photography can reveal hidden details in everyday objects, so look for interesting subjects that will stand out in your images.

Infrared Photography – Wrap Up

Infrared photography is a fascinating technique that allows photographers to explore the world beyond visible light.

With its dreamy, surreal quality and ability to reveal invisible details, it’s no wonder that this type of photography is so popular.

If you’re looking to try something new with your photography, give infrared photography a try, and see what hidden worlds you can uncover.