Comprehensive Guide to Infrared Photography: Rediscovering Passion

Rediscovering Passion: Why Infrared Photography?

Maintaining a passion for photography can be a significant challenge; after mastering the basics, it's easy to fall into a routine and lose enthusiasm. To overcome this, our photographer took an innovative step several months ago, converting his old Fujifilm X-T3 camera into a dedicated infrared photography camera.

While other, simpler and less expensive alternatives were available, his decision was logical. The old camera was unused and needed either to be sold or repurposed. Moreover, the photographer was looking for a way to rekindle his creativity without buying additional lenses. Most importantly, the arrival of summer was a crucial factor.

Summer and Infrared Photography: Unexpected Advantages

Photographers often avoid summer due to harsh light and early sunrises. However, this season is ideal for infrared photography to shine.

Summer sunlight is rich in "near-infrared" radiation, whose wavelengths the human eye cannot see. Using specialized equipment, it becomes possible to capture this light and reveal unique and unconventional worldviews.

Types of Infrared Photography: False Color or Black and White?

This experience is still in its early stages, but the photographer is thrilled to be undertaking it. If you're seeking a refreshing and surreal photographic adventure, infrared photography might be the perfect choice for you.

Similar to astrophotography, infrared photography is a vast field in itself. One could spend days exploring theories like "false colors", "channel swapping", and "hot spots" before even taking a single photo. However, the photographer preferred a simpler, more accessible approach.

Infrared photography branches into two main types that can be approached in different ways. The first type is "false colors", a surreal and vibrant style popularized on 1960s album covers. It's known as "false" because the human eye cannot perceive infrared light, so colors are added to it through advanced editing techniques, resulting in strange and surprising images.

For his part, the photographer preferred to focus on black and white infrared photography. This style maintains the surreal aspect of glowing foliage and dark skies, but in a less intense manner. This experience also presented him with a new challenge, as he does not typically practice black and white photography.

How to Start: Lens Filters vs. Camera Conversion

So, how can you start exploring the world of infrared photography? The most affordable and practical option is to use lens filters, available from well-known brands like Hoya and Urth. However, the main drawback of these filters is that they significantly reduce the light reaching the camera sensor, usually requiring a tripod and long exposures.

This approach was not suitable for the photographer, as the primary appeal of infrared photography for him was simplicity: the ability to go out on a sunny day and capture stunning black and white photos effortlessly. Therefore, he resorted to the alternative option of converting an old camera.

Camera Conversion and Infrared Wavelengths

In the UK, the photographer enlisted Protech Photographic to convert his Fujifilm X-T3 camera at a cost of £300 (approximately US$410 / AU$620). Companies like Kolari offer similar conversion services in the US. While DIY conversion is possible, it is not recommended for non-specialists or those with limited experience.

Infrared radiation has a longer wavelength than "visible light", which the human eye can perceive. The environment reflects infrared light in a distinctive way, which explains the phenomenon of glowing trees and dark skies in photos. It is worth noting that most converted digital cameras capture "near-infrared" light, not the far end used in thermal cameras or night vision systems.

Before embarking on capturing glowing tree images, a crucial decision must be made regarding the type of infrared photography conversion required. These conversions are categorized based on wavelengths (measured in nanometers), and you must choose the type that suits your preferred photographic style. Options range from 590nm up to "full spectrum", but 720nm conversion is the most popular for black and white infrared photography, striking an ideal balance in allowing infrared light through without overexposure – which is what the photographer chose.

Challenges and Learning Curve in Infrared Photography

The photographer discovered that infrared photography was the spark that reignited his passion for photography, opening new horizons for creative thinking. For him, it was like discovering a new note on a guitar – it doesn't instantly make you a professional, but it literally enables you to see the familiar from a different, new light perspective.

Of course, infrared photography comes with its own challenges and a distinct learning curve. Initially, when the photographer looked through the camera's viewfinder – using a monochrome Fuji film simulation to preview the final shot – the scenes looked stunning. The feeling was akin to waking up to a fresh blanket of snow, yet snow rarely appears as magnificent in photos as it does in reality.

The photographer took a large number of unsuccessful photos of glowing trees (a phenomenon known as "haloing") before he could grasp the true strengths of infrared photography. Professional black and white photography relies on a precise understanding of brightness and contrast, but infrared photography turns these concepts upside down. Bright skies turn pitch black, while foliage glows prominently. It takes some time for the eye to adapt to this new vision, but this challenge is part of the fun and brings back the exciting feeling of a fresh start for the photographer.

Discovering the Value and Suitable Scenes for Infrared Photography

After some time, another question crystallized for the photographer: what is the intrinsic value of infrared photography? It took some time to discover this. While capturing surreal and beautiful images in itself is wonderful, his best work emerged when he began identifying scenes that align with the unique capabilities of infrared photography – which are often scenes that already possess a mysterious or otherworldly character.

For instance, the photographer sought out a cluster of petrified oak trees in Essex, England, dating back to around 900 AD. This site has an eerie atmosphere believed to have inspired the Martian landing scene in the novel War of the Worlds. Early summer photography wasn't always ideal, but here the power of infrared photography shines – it pairs exceptionally well with scenes that already possess an otherworldly quality. If the subject is dark and distinctive, the glowing foliage can enhance its presence and highlight the trees' "character".

Infrared Photography in Urban and Sports Scenes

After his extensive experience photographing trees in Southern England, the photographer discovered that infrared photography is also effective in urban scenes. He wanted to try two main locations: Canary Wharf in London (which he described as a financial district with a feel similar to "The Truman Show") and the famous Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

Since glass absorbs most near-infrared light, windows in infrared photos often appear dark or black. This can be particularly useful when photographing towering skyscrapers in financial centers, giving them a mysterious appearance and helping to eliminate distracting and superfluous visual elements.

Another advantage of urban infrared photography lies in its ability to highlight the unique character of urban locations with exaggerated or "artificial" designs. The classic beauty is evident in the contrast of glowing foliage with dark windows or water bodies. However, some materials reflect infrared light in unexpected ways, which can give photos a distinctive futuristic touch, if that is the photographer's creative goal.

Another interesting side mission is searching for green spaces within the urban environment to highlight specific elements in the scene. The photographer has not yet found the ideal combination of light and city skyline, but even scenes where the light source is behind the subject (traditionally not ideal for infrared photography) can benefit from the dreamy quality this technique imparts.

Likewise, the photographer saw the Wimbledon Tennis Championships as an exciting challenge for infrared photography, as he wasn't fully satisfied with the "normal" photos he took there. It's difficult to avoid clichés when photographing such a joyful and bright place. But does Wimbledon hide a darker side?

The word "dark" might be a bit of an exaggeration, but for some players (as was evident in this year's Ladies' Singles final), the venue can seem overwhelmingly daunting – and for the public, large parts of the grounds appear restricted to a select few. Infrared can lend an eerie quality to any scene with the right lighting, and it was fascinating to highlight a side of Wimbledon the photographer had never documented before.

Unfortunately, the photographer realized too late that late-day times at Wimbledon, when most visitors leave in a state of wonder and happiness after champagne, are ideal for infrared photography. It's not always necessary to shoot at midday; sunsets casting deep shadows also create wonderful contrast for black and white photos. So, the photographer will definitely return to make the most of this opportunity.

Tips and Experiences in Infrared Photography (Lenses and Editing)

The photographer is still discovering more secrets of infrared photography, but if you're interested in trying it, here are some important points he has gathered over the past months.

One crucial aspect is lens selection. Not all lenses are fully compatible with cameras converted for infrared photography, as coatings, materials, and glass react differently to this type of light, potentially causing annoying "hot spots" (bright circles in the center of images). The photographer found Rob Shea's collaboratively compiled guide for X-mount lenses useful as a starting point, and similar guides are available for Canon and Nikon lenses.

Fujifilm informed the photographer that their internal tests revealed the XF18-135mm and XF50-140mm lenses to be among the best-performing telephoto lenses, while prime lenses like the XF30mm macro, XF50mm f/1.4, XF35mm f/2, and XF50mm f/2 received high ratings (the photographer confirms the quality of the latter two). Older lenses often seem to perform better, as the newer XF33mm f/1.4 lens caused bright hot spots.

What about the editing process? One advantage of black and white infrared photography is its simplicity compared to color images. The photographer's converted Fujifilm camera came with a custom white balance setting pre-configured, allowing him to shoot using a monochrome Fujifilm film simulation to preview the final result. Since shooting often occurs at midday, it's a thoroughly enjoyable experience, resembling easy and straightforward photography – which was precisely what the photographer was after.

After that, the photographer used Lightroom Classic to process RAW files, although any of the leading photo editing software can do the job. Initially, RAW files appear a dull, hazy brown, and then it becomes a matter of simply applying a profile to bring out the unique beauty of infrared. The photographer found that Adobe's built-in B&W profiles (available by navigating to Profile > Browse) generally do the trick, with B&W 01-04 usually being an excellent starting point.

Lessons Learned and Rediscovering the Joy of Photography

The photographer faced a challenge in pushing his edits more boldly towards the inherent dramatic character of infrared photography. While he usually favors natural and soft adjustments, infrared RAW files demand high levels of contrast, with deep blacks and bright highlights. If one is too cautious, images can appear flat and resemble "gray soup", an aspect the photographer seeks to improve. He also aims to exploit the abstract potential of infrared far more.

After spending several months using his converted X-T3 for infrared photography and making numerous mistakes, the photographer began to understand what works best for this technique.

One of the most important lessons learned is that simplicity is key. Choosing an uncluttered scene with a strong focal point is an excellent strategy for all photography styles, but it is indispensable in infrared photography. Without it, a glowing scene that looked enchanting in the viewfinder might resemble melting snow after a storm.

The photographer also realized that focusing on visual depth gains more importance than usual in this type of photography. While using leading lines and layers is common, many shots that would have looked successful in normal colors appeared dull and lifeless when converted to infrared.

Infrared photography reaches its peak potential when it enhances a subject or feeling already inherent in the scene, rather than merely imparting a "surreal" quality arbitrarily. In his continuous pursuit of suitable scenes, the photographer took a trip to the stunning Seven Sisters cliffs on the south coast of England. This trip achieved many of his goals – finding bright white cliffs harmonizing with a dark sea – and although it might be a well-known classic shot in photography, it provided an enjoyable shooting experience.

Unexpectedly, a patch of random fog appeared – a rare midday occurrence – adding an extra dramatic touch. The photographer found that ethereal scenes are the essence of infrared photography and what distinguishes it most.

Unfortunately, infrared cameras are not highly versatile if you also wish to capture traditional street photos, meaning you might need to carry two cameras on some photo outings.

But once the initial wave of the photographer's passion for infrared photography subsided – a passion that renews periodically – his main lesson was to shift away from seeking grand, theatrical scenes and instead focus on finding those everyday moments that benefit from infrared's ability to impart an eerie, Hitchcockian quality.

For example, the photographer discovered a telephone booth in the lavender field pictured above, a shot he might not have taken with a traditional camera. However, he felt it benefited greatly from the surreal touch added by infrared photography.

Countless photography projects are available that can help you rediscover your passion for photography, many of which are far less expensive than converting a camera to infrared.

But if, like him, you own an old, neglected camera and don't consider it your primary one, converting it to infrared can be a wonderful way to breathe new life into it and your photographic journey in general.

With autumn returning to the UK, the photographer feels his attraction to "traditional" photography returning. There's also a strong possibility that in a few years, he might look back at his infrared photography experiments and wonder about his motivations then.

But he also feels greatly refreshed after stepping away from the traditional photography concerns of "sharpness", color theory, and cumbersome tripods. A quote the photographer recently read by André 3000 of the band Outkast summarized his view when he told Rolling Stone about his recent musical endeavors, saying: "I'd rather be an interesting amateur than a boring professional."

It was exciting to reset his career and return to the starting point as a complete amateur, which made the cost of converting his camera seem like a worthwhile investment.

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