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There are many types of art photography out there that show a new way of viewing things like infrared photography, micro and macro photography, lomography, light photography, and many others. In this article we will talk about infrared photography, a type of photography that captures the unseen beauty of nature made possible by technology.
First we need to know what is infrared. Remember the saying that what you see is just an illusion? That is actually true, and that what you see is the only thing you’re ‘made’ to see. Look above you, you’ll probably see your ceiling. That is because the light that touches its surface is seen by you, called visible light. To give you an idea of the things you can’t see, think of ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays, infrared, microwave, and radio. These compose the electromagnetic spectrum, and only the visible light part is what we can see under naked eye.
If you’ll take time to study the chart above you’ll be amazed at how little our eyes can see of our surroundings. We only see a portion of the world as it is, and that’s a good thing. Imagine seeing every wavelength, I think that would be like looking at an old television’s static.
So, the point here is, before you even begin infrared photography you need to have a grasp of what it is you’re doing in order to pass on the knowledge. In infrared photography, you basically take a peek into the unseeable by manipulating your tools. You can either use a standard camera or a digital camera, but alterations and post-processing is needed to achieve a great photo.
In a sense, infrared photography is an attempt to view the world in a different manner, similar to using a microscope to see little life forms or using an x-ray to see through things. Venturing through Flickr I’ve been awed by the amazing world out there that we can’t see, but now can due to advances in technology.
Before the introduction of color photography, photographers used filters and black and white negatives to manipulate the final result, especially when they wanted to achieve infrared photography.
I’m not a photographer nor do I claim I know how to do infrared photography, I am simply so amazed by the process that I thought I’d share this with you. I did some research for people who want to enter infrared photography and found this very in-depth guide by Rob about infrared photography. Tutorial includes how to setup everything up to post-processing. Here is his Flickr page.
Take note that you can buy their prints if you happen to fall in love with them! Don’t forget to click on the links for more IR photographs.
Feel free to post the link to your portfolio so that we can enjoy them too!
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Rean is the editor of 1stwebdesigner. He regularly writes about freelancing, technology, web design, and web development. Rean also writes at Knowledge Salad, a blog filled with weird and interesting facts. One of his goals is to help his fellow Filipinos earn money online, to help them build a career out of working from home, just like what he has been doing for years now.
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 00:49
These are simply incredible images. The power of colour – or lack of it – really achieves something special. As a Toronto Photographer I will have to read more about how to achieve these effects. Very interesting.
Monday, October 3rd, 2011 13:52
Here is one picture in IR i’ve taked two or three years before
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 18:05
Incredible collection! Thanks for sharing these. I especially love the palm tree photo – something very unexpected about the form and color combination. Thanks!
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 00:09
ooopppps,
Forgot to mention the make of my wonderful camera. It was a Minolta SRT-101 with inter-changeable
lenses. A 28mm and a 50mm -250 mm telephoto zoom lens both made by Minolta. Bought a Zeiss-Ikon
50 mm with special adapter for some real different effects. Be sure to use a STABLE tripod assembly for decent results. Shoot dead still. Thats the trick.
Monday, September 26th, 2011 23:54
I used to do quite a bit of Infrared photography back during the early 1970′s.
I bought my Kodak Infrared film in rolls of 24 and 36 for really inexpensive prices in those days.
In case those who don’t know there is also a Night Recording film available ONLY in Black & White called Night Recording 2475. It’s special and have not seen it in years. Incredible results though. Same cost as infrared.
Phillips Camera House on South lake Ave. in Pasadena, Ca. sold Color Infrared in a roll of 24 for about $7.25. A roll of 36 for $9.50! With special film costs that cheap i was able to afford many rolls. Bet prices have gone up lately. And with those savings in those days I put the difference into the gas tank and took of for the high sierras. I did my major photography work out at Mono Lake in the eastern sierra. What an experience. Try it out some time.
It’s straight up US 395 up the so-called backbone of the Sierras till you get into Lee Vining. Then you’re there.
It should be a good 6 hours drive…but a beautiful one with all kinds of photo locations along the way up.
Owens Valley would be a fun experiment. Take good cold water with you if it’s a summer run.
Infrared night photo work can also be fun in the black of the sierra nights. I tried various short and long time exposures… but remember there is no aperture settings. You set your focus on infinity and away you go.
I used a red filter of course…but added a polarized lens for experiments and got some very unique results.
Go for it folks.
Jack Bing
jrbing888@gmail.com
Monday, September 26th, 2011 09:54
Wow. Awesome Collection. Thanks fro share.
Sunday, September 25th, 2011 15:12
Most amazing collection of photos I’ve seen on the web. Thank You!
Sunday, September 25th, 2011 15:39
I never thought this sort of range was possible… simply astounding.
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Mikel King
Sunday, September 25th, 2011 15:39
I never thought this sort of range was possible… simply astounding.
Jack Bing
Monday, September 26th, 2011 23:54
I used to do quite a bit of Infrared photography back during the early 1970′s.
I bought my Kodak Infrared film in rolls of 24 and 36 for really inexpensive prices in those days.
In case those who don’t know there is also a Night Recording film available ONLY in Black & White called Night Recording 2475. It’s special and have not seen it in years. Incredible results though. Same cost as infrared.
Phillips Camera House on South lake Ave. in Pasadena, Ca. sold Color Infrared in a roll of 24 for about $7.25. A roll of 36 for $9.50! With special film costs that cheap i was able to afford many rolls. Bet prices have gone up lately. And with those savings in those days I put the difference into the gas tank and took of for the high sierras. I did my major photography work out at Mono Lake in the eastern sierra. What an experience. Try it out some time.
It’s straight up US 395 up the so-called backbone of the Sierras till you get into Lee Vining. Then you’re there.
It should be a good 6 hours drive…but a beautiful one with all kinds of photo locations along the way up.
Owens Valley would be a fun experiment. Take good cold water with you if it’s a summer run.
Infrared night photo work can also be fun in the black of the sierra nights. I tried various short and long time exposures… but remember there is no aperture settings. You set your focus on infinity and away you go.
I used a red filter of course…but added a polarized lens for experiments and got some very unique results.
Go for it folks.
Jack Bing
jrbing888@gmail.com
Donovan
Monday, September 26th, 2011 09:54
Wow. Awesome Collection. Thanks fro share.
Ayani
Monday, September 26th, 2011 02:06
Awesome…surreal and beautiful!
Zack
Sunday, September 25th, 2011 15:12
Most amazing collection of photos I’ve seen on the web. Thank You!
Jack Bing
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 00:09
ooopppps,
Forgot to mention the make of my wonderful camera. It was a Minolta SRT-101 with inter-changeable
lenses. A 28mm and a 50mm -250 mm telephoto zoom lens both made by Minolta. Bought a Zeiss-Ikon
50 mm with special adapter for some real different effects. Be sure to use a STABLE tripod assembly for decent results. Shoot dead still. Thats the trick.
Chris
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 18:05
Incredible collection! Thanks for sharing these. I especially love the palm tree photo – something very unexpected about the form and color combination. Thanks!
Manuela
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 00:49
These are simply incredible images. The power of colour – or lack of it – really achieves something special. As a Toronto Photographer I will have to read more about how to achieve these effects. Very interesting.
Juaz
Monday, October 3rd, 2011 13:52
Here is one picture in IR i’ve taked two or three years before
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juampe/4635249163/
Notacat
Thursday, September 29th, 2011 23:44
Niagara falls – fantastic photo!
evan
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 16:08
I love the “old man by gwark” its stunning