Infrared photography unlocks a hidden dimension beyond the visible spectrum. Foliage turns luminous white, skies deepen to near black, and familiar scenes take on a surreal, dreamlike quality. By shooting in the Infrared spectrum (590nm to 950nm), photographers can create images with striking contrast where vegetation glows with ethereal tones and skies take on dramatic moods that challenge our perception of color and contrast in the natural world.

The human eye sees only a narrow slice of the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from approximately 380 to 720 nanometers. Just beyond that lies infrared light, beginning around 720nm. While invisible to us, infrared is something digital camera sensors can detect (unless it’s blocked by the built-in infrared cut filter that comes standard in all digital cameras).

Infrared photography transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. For photographers who enjoy black and white imagery, shooting in IR opens up an entirely new creative frontier filled with dramatic contrast, glowing highlights, and unexpected textures.

To capture infrared images, photographers typically use one of two approaches:

1. Unmodified camera: Capable of capturing Infrared light with long enough exposure
2. Full Spectrum converted camera: Capture Infrared light with normal exposure times

Infrared photography reveals a world that looks nothing like what we see with the naked eye. The results range from surreal false-color landscapes to striking, high-contrast black and white images, transforming ordinary scenes into something truly otherworldly. Although the following are examples of what you can expect in IR, one of the best things about shooting in IR is getting results you least expect.

Foliage and Vegetation

Plants, grass, and leaves are highly reflective in the infrared spectrum, often appearing to glow bright white, creating a soft, dreamlike effect. This signature “white foliage” look is one of the most iconic features of infrared photography.

Skies, Water, and Atmosphere

Clear blue skies absorb much of the infrared light, rendering them dramatically dark, sometimes nearly black. Clouds, by contrast, reflect IR and can appear bright white and highly defined. Bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and oceans typically absorb IR light as well, creating rich, inky-black surfaces that contrast beautifully with glowing landscapes.

Skin and Portraits

Infrared light penetrates skin slightly deeper than visible light, softening textures and reducing blemishes. The result is smooth, porcelain-like skin tones that give portraits a unique, ethereal quality. However, IR can also highlight veins or features beneath the surface, depending on the filter used and lighting conditions.

Clothing, Dyes, and Fabrics

Clothing and synthetic materials can behave in unexpected ways under infrared light. Some dark fabrics become translucent or take on completely different tones, depending on the dyes and weaves. Black cotton might appear light gray, while synthetic fabrics could glow or lose opacity altogether. This unpredictability adds an exciting experimental component when photographing fashion and portraiture.

Architecture

Concrete, stone, and certain metals reflect infrared in distinctive ways. Buildings can take on a ghostly appearance, especially when surrounded by glowing vegetation and contrasted against deep black skies. Reflections in windows or metal surfaces can also be enhanced or altered by the IR spectrum.

Here are a few important considerations when shooting IR for the first time:

• Shoot in RAW for better post-processing control.
• If you're shooting with an unconverted / default camera, focus before attaching an IR filter as IR filters are opaque to visible light.
• If you're shooting with an unconverted / default camera with external IR filters, using a tripod and remote shutter operation is essential to achieve sharp long exposures.
• Set custom white balance on foliage or grass for more neutral tones.
• Review the cameras histogram for exposure validation, not the cameras LCD screen—IR affects exposure differently than visible light and the LCD screen will deceive you.

Here are a few helpful tools during the post-processing of your image to help maximize the surreal and otherworldly nature of your IR photos:

• Channel swapping (which switches the color information stored in the red and blue channels) helps create unique color effects and opens a lot of creative freedom on how the final image will look.
• Converting to black & white. IR captures pair very well with black and white conversion, maximizing the effect of the unique tonal qualities of photographing in the IR specturm.
• White balance correction is one to play with. See how it impacts different sections of the image for more creative freedom.
• Contrast and clarity adjustments will play a large role in how dramatic the final image will be, especially when paired with the above adjustments.

Breakthrough Filters offers the industry’s most extensive, high-performance line of infrared filters, engineered for unmatched consistency, durability, and optical quality. Built with our advanced coating technology, every IR filter is designed to deliver reliable performance for over 25 years. Buy it once, use it for life.

Key Features:

• Available in 39mm, 43mm, 46mm, 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 60mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm, 86mm, 95mm, 105mm and 112mm sizes.
• Compatible with umodified and full spectrum cameras.
• Highest quality Infrared glass manufactured by SCHOTT® in Germany.
• Anti-reflective MRC16 and hydrophobic nanotec® coatings.
• Weather-sealed brass frame construction for lifelong durability.
• Available today as a magnetic filter, also coming soon in circular threaded options.