{"id":52824,"date":"2021-03-23T15:32:19","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T19:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=52824"},"modified":"2022-11-07T14:42:29","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T19:42:29","slug":"how-do-infrared-cameras-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/how-do-infrared-cameras-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How do Infrared Cameras Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Infrared photography is definitely unlike what many of us have seen\u2014and we mean it quite literally. This unique and challenging type of photography<\/a> involves capturing what our eyes cannot see with the use of specialized camera equipment that can see and record light that is beyond the visible spectrum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Unlike real-world photographs, IR images are generally a little harder to appreciate, but many modern infrared photographers find it to be a great way to create an entirely different effect in your photographs and capture dreamy, surreal landscape images.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you haven\u2019t tried it before and are learning about it for the first time, this article will help you understand how cameras capture IR images and provide stunning visual examples or IR images, so you\u2019ll know the kind photos that you can look forward to producing when you decide to try it out for yourself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is Infrared Photography?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"infrared\r\n
Image via Shutterstock<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Infrared (IR) photography<\/a> follows the basic photographic concept of \u201ccapturing light,\u201d except it captures the ever-present infrared light around us that is virtually impossible to see with the naked eye.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In scientific terms, visible light that reflects all the colors that we can see is measured between wavelengths of 400-700 nanometers (nm), while \u201cnear IR\u201d or infrared is measured between 700-1,000 nm.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"color\r\n
Image via Shutterstock<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

However, infrared light can be felt as heat. And since heat can be transferred, elements like colors, textures, the sky, trees, and even human subjects will reflect and radiate infrared light differently as opposed to visible light.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Green trees, plants, and clouds that reflect the most infrared light will look whiter while blue skies that don\u2019t reflect IR will translate into black areas. Infrared shooters typically use filters with varying color strengths or photo editing programs to create even more unique (albeit slightly eerie) photographic effects.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This type of photography dates back to the age of film photography. In fact, it became so popular that Jimi Hendrix, Donovan, and Frank Zappa\u2019s album covers in the \u201860s were inspired by the psychedelic and artistic results of IR photography. However, shooting infrared back then was a lot more complicated (and expensive) compared to today, mainly due to film\u2019s unpredictability and the expense that came with specialized film rolls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What are Infrared Cameras Often Used for?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Infrared cameras aren\u2019t just for unique and interesting photography. In fact you may already be interacting with infrared imaging in your normal life without knowing it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Any time you visit an airport, you\u2019re likely to see infrared technology and thermal imaging cameras in use, detecting temperature differences in passengers and luggage. Some doctor\u2019s offices also use infrared thermometers and infrared imaging for temperature measurement, to detect issues with circulation and other medical concerns.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re a wildlife enthusiast, you may have used trail cameras to capture wildlife activity. These cameras use infrared sensors to detect wildlife by sensing temperature differences and heat signatures. In trail cameras, infrared technology is also used for night vision and capturing nocturnal wildlife.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Other industries such as law enforcement, mechanical engineering, and home repair and inspection use real-time thermal imager measurements with a rapid refresh rate to detect minute variations in temperature ranges. Some use thermal imaging cameras connected to phones via bluetooth to see through walls and other obstacles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Most Common Uses of Infrared Cameras<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A normal camera looks for wavelengths in the visible spectrum and records them as an image. An infrared camera looks for low-frequency electromagnetic radiation felt as heat and transforms it into an image. It doesn\u2019t need light to be able to record images. It only needs heat. Therefore, infrared photography is used whenever your object of interest is not visible, but it emits heat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Among the most common uses of infrared cameras are:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n