History of Infrared Photography: From its Origins to the Digital Age.

Hello, light hunters! Welcome back to the blog. If you've been into photography for a while, you've probably felt the need to explore something different, to break free from the everyday and see the world through new eyes. Today we're going to delve into the fascinating history of infrared photography, a discipline that does exactly that: unveil an invisible universe of dramatic skies and ethereal foliage.

The human eye can only perceive light in a range from 400 nm to 700 nm (the colors of the rainbow). But what lies beyond red? Join me on this journey as we explore the origins of this technique, its historical applications, and the secrets to mastering it today.

The Origins: Who invented Infrared Photography?

To understand the history of infrared photography, we must first go back to the year 1800. It was then that the astronomer William Herschel He discovered infrared radiation by noticing that a thermometer placed beyond the red end of the visible spectrum (generated by a prism) registered the highest temperature. He had discovered a light that we couldn't see, but could feel as heat.

However, capturing this light in an image took more than a century. The title of "father of infrared photography" belongs to the American physicist and photographer. Robert W. Wood. In 1910, Wood published the first infrared photographs in history. He used experimental photographic plates that required extremely long exposures. Wood discovered that green foliage strongly reflected infrared light, appearing white and bright in the photographs—a phenomenon we now know as infrared radiation. «"Wood Effect"».

From War to Psychedelia: The Evolution of the Infrared Reel

The true commercial popularization of infrared film did not arrive until the 1930s, thanks to Kodak, which developed IR-sensitive emulsions for commercial and astronomical use.

However, its most intensive use occurred during the First and Second World Wars. Infrared photography was not born for artistic purposes, but for military and scientific ones. IR-sensitive films were used extensively for the Aerial photography and reconnaissance, since infrared light can penetrate atmospheric haze better than visible light. Furthermore, it was perfect for detect enemy camouflageWhile real foliage glowed in the infrared spectrum (Wood Effect), artificial camouflage painted green absorbed IR and appeared dark, revealing enemy positions.

The leap into Pop Culture (1960s)

In the 1960s, the history of infrared photography took an unexpected turn toward art and pop culture. Infrared color films, especially the Kodak Aerochrome (Initially created to assess forest health and detect camouflage), these films fell into the hands of artists and musicians. They transformed the green of the trees into shades of magenta and bright red. Artists like Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa used infrared photographs for their album covers, making the IR aesthetic a symbol of the psychedelic era.

But shooting with these legendary films (like Kodak HIE black and white or Aerochrome) was an absolute challenge:

• You had to load and unload the reel in total darkness, because the film chassis did not protect against infrared light.
• The focus was a guess, since infrared light focuses on a different plane than visible light.
• The results were unpredictable until you developed them in the laboratory.

The Digital Age and Camera Conversions

The modern history of IR photography underwent a revolution with the advent of digital sensors. Ironically, digital sensors (CMOS and CCD) are extremely sensitive to infrared light by nature.

To make our digital photos look normal and the colors accurate, manufacturers place a UV/IR blocking filter (known as hot mirror) just in front of the sensor. Initially, photographers used very dark infrared filters screwed onto their camera lenses. By blocking visible light and only allowing the small amount of IR light that managed to filter through the hot mirror, Exposures of several seconds were required, as well as the mandatory use of a tripod.

The solution: Infrared Conversion

To solve this, the infrared conversion. This surgical procedure involves opening the camera, removing the hot mirror The original lens can be replaced with a clear (full-spectrum) glass or a specific infrared filter. The result is a camera that can shoot handheld, with normal shutter speeds and low ISO sensitivities.

DST Photography: Pioneers in Spain

DST Photography (Dinasa Technical Service), we went Pioneers in Spain in offering the service of converting digital cameras to infrared and full spectrum. Thanks to our technical laboratory, hundreds of European photographers have been able to transform disused cameras into incredible creative tools, with a local and completely reliable service.

Types of Infrared Filters Currently Available

If you're converting a camera today, the cutoff wavelength determines the result:

• 590nm (Super Color / Goldie): It lets through a lot of visible light in addition to infrared. It's the king of "false color." It allows for bright blue skies and yellow or gold foliage after editing.
• 720nm (The Standard Infrared): The most classic and popular. It offers great contrast for black and white, but retains enough color information to achieve blue skies and white foliage.
• 850nm (Deep Infrared): It blocks almost all visible light. It's exclusively for high-contrast black and white photography. Skies turn black and vegetation pure white.
• Special filters (like IR Chrome): Designed to mimic the straightforward look of vintage Kodak Aerochrome film directly in-camera, without complex editing.

Why a Mirrorless It is superior to a DSLR for IR

If you want to get off to a good start in the history of infrared photography, my advice is clear: choose a mirrorless camera. Traditional DSLR cameras present several problems:

1. The Focus Shift: Because IR light has a longer wavelength, the focal point varies. mirrorless They focus directly on the final image sensor; what the sensor "sees" is exactly what you capture, eliminating the focusing errors of DSLRs.
2. The Electronic Viewfinder (EVF): With an infrared filter in place, a DSLR's optical viewfinder appears completely black. mirrorless, The EVF allows you to see in infrared darkness, frame perfectly, and see the world in false color before you click the shutter.

3 Key Tips for Success in Infrared

1. White balance is crucial: Set a custom white balance by pointing your camera at a sunny patch of green grass. This will neutralize the reddish/magenta tint and provide a foundation for editing.
2. Always shoot in RAW: The technique of channel investment In Photoshop (channel mixer: red to blue at 100%, and blue to red at 100%) you will get blue skies and Martian foliage. A JPEG file does not support this process.
3. Beware of the Hotspots: Some internal coatings of lenses bounce IR light, creating a bright circle in the center (hotspotCheck online databases to see if your lens is compatible.

Infrared photography has come a long way from Herschel's thermometers to modern sensors. It transforms the harsh midday sun into dreamlike landscapes. Are you ready to see the invisible and be part of this story?