So here’s another Monday post featuring some of my infrared photography works – if you’re interested in the previous infrared photography post, click here. Hope your Monday was good!
Infrared photography captures the image of a scene using lights of near-infrared wavelengths – the camera sensor, or film, is sensitive to infrared light to a certain degree, but only for near-infrared (far-infrared has wavelengths that are too long to be detected). Typically, a digital camera manufacturer will place an infrared filter before the sensor to prevent infrared light from reaching it. To many people’s dismay (or is it ‘delight’?), some clothings are actually transparent in the infrared range – that’s one of the reasons why infrared filter is used. In addition, infrared will mess with the auto-focusing mechanism in the camera, and leave hotspots behind due to differential refractory index, causing the light to bounch off differently in your camera lenses.
One easy way to capture a scene in infrared light is to place a filter that removes light in the visible spectrum, and only permit small amount of red light from the visible range to pass through, alongside with infrared. Due to the presence of the infrared filter in your camera, high exposure time is required, even under bright daylight.
For the following photos, I’ve used a Hoya R72 filter (55mm in diameter) and screwed it onto my Sony A200 18-70mm kit lens. A hot spot in the center of the photo is somewhat visible originally, but this can be circumvented by some photoshopping skills. The photos are taken during my recent trip to Genting Highlands, a popular getaway destination in my country located just an hour’s drive away from the capital.
I have only selected a few nice ones to show – the rest can be seen in my flickr set, Genting Highlands, in a different light. You can also view my Infrared collection too.
Directions, please?
An overhead road sign above the old route that people use to travel down the highland. Since the new pass opened, this road is now used to service the apartments and the police station. It’s now the road less travelled. I have no idea why the sign appeared orange though. Perhaps it’s the way it reflects infrared?
Go karts, in infrared
The Go Kart’s tack shot in infrared. The original photo shot in normal light can be found over here.
Flying Coaster, in infrared
The Flying Coaster (what an unoriginal name IMHO) is the first of its kind in Asia, and the management boasts that more than a million people has rode on that thing. The amusement park wristband, while granting free entry to all rides in the amusement park, does not allow you to board the coaster for free – you will have to pay for the ticket, albeit at a discounted rate. Here’s the one shot in normal light.
Genting Highands, in infrared
A gorgeous view of some of the hotels in the highland resort, from an outcrop near the lakeside. This photo is taken further up the pedestrian bridge, see the other photo.
Corkscrew + Sunset = Awesomeness
This is, without any doubt, my favourite infrared photo I’ve produced so far. There is little photoshopping done to this photo, except for artificially increasing the dynamic range and then color burning the sky a little for the dramatic effect. Everything else, including the lens flare, is real. The sun was setting rather quickly behind the roller coaster and I was on a final walk on the Dinasour Land hill before I retire to other parts of the amusement park. Grabbed my tripod and took around 10+ test shots, and this one turned out to be the best.
Are you involved in infrared photography too?
Just a question – if you’re also playing around with infrared photography, feel free to post links to your works and share some tips and ideas. I’ll be more than happy to list your work :)
You can also ask questions on how infrared photography is carried out, and I’ll try my very best to answer them. I’m currently working on a tutorial, but it’ll take a week or two before it’s done.
your photos always amazed me. :)
Until now I still love the last photo best :D
Amaaaaahhhhhzzzeeeeeeeennnngggg photography technique. One of these days, I could really hire someone like you ;)
the infrared photos amazed me, felt like i’m in a different country :D guess i need to try this out.. but hey is there any external device required for shot in infrared? or is it just standard a200 can do?
I love these! The last one is my favourite too. They look like they belong on those holiday cards! You can start your own company like this. :D
@xun: Thank you! And to reciprocate – I love your designs. Really – especially the one featured in your portfolio section ;)
@Aki: Oh, it’s my personal favourite too! It was misty for almost all the photos and the last photo was when the sky cleared up for a few moments before another bout of mist came. Phew!
@NoktahHitam: Thank you! I will be more than happy to work as a part-time photographer, actually! I’m kind of regretful that I missed the photoshooting chance with you a few months ago.
@uner: Thanks, teehee! Actually you don’t have to buy extra equipments (but if you don’t have a tripod, you’ll need to get one). You have to make sure that your camera is sensitive to infrared light, and then you can proceed to purchase a infrared filter. For my infrared shots, I merely used my good old A200, the kit lens, an infrared filter, a tripod and a custom white balance setting. That’s all :)
@Grace: Thank you! I guess it won’t make a good holiday postcard photo because people will be confused, lol!
Hei, good shots there! Very dramatic sceneries. I like the last one. Will look good on a postcard =D
Dang. Those shots are great!
Too bad Canon 450D does not enable infrared photography
@Stanley: Thanks for the compliments! Looks like the last photo is a hot favourite eh?
@Gzhang: Thank you! Actually, Canon 450D can be used for infrared photography – check this out. Most cameras do not allow infrared photography by default – you’ll need to get a filter and a tripod.
You never cease to amaze me! I absolutely love your infrared shots. I have not seen many before I found your blog. They are so much fun! And quite unique. I especially loved the last one — a beautiful photo, loving the blue sky! I really like the white halo around the roller coaster, really makes it pop.
Such a wonderful collection you have over @ your flickr account. It’s so much fun viewing them all. You’re quite talented! I have never tried infrared photography but I am so anxious to one day. :D
Thank you, Trina! It’s getting increasingly common nowadays, but still not too wildly popular since not everyone knows how to appreciate the beauty behind infrared.
That’s another vote for the last photo! The halo is actually from the quickly setting sun behind the roller coaster tracks, and the rays bouncing off the top of the clouds (we’re technically above the clouds) and so we have a lovely halo right there.
Thanks for the compliments! Yea, you should try it out someday too, and share your works with us.
Again, some absolutely amazing photos! I have to say, the second one is my favourite.
I don’t know much about photography, but I’m really hoping to get into it. I need to earn/save the money for a camera first, though. :P
Oh, the Go Karts on eh? I love it too because it clearly depicts the Woods Effect expected in infrared photos – the whitish appearance of foliage because of the way they reflect light in the infrared region.
You can start with photography at any time you want – it’s never too late. For starters, I would recommend getting a decent consumer-grade digital camera. It is able to churn out nice photos too, and if you’re interested in furthering your interest in photography, it serves as a good basis too.
love the last one…awesome indeed ;)
Awesome! Thank you for sharing! Oh yes, you take beautiful pictures too! :)