How to Try Out Infrared Photography Without Modifying Your Camera

Digital cameras usually have infrared filters on the sensor that work to block out almost all of the infrared information reaching it. To shoot infrared photos, photographers often have their camera converted to capture infrared light by removing this filter, but in turn the camera loses its ability to capture “normal” images. If you’d like to dabble with IR photography, there’s an easier alternative.

If you’re new to the world of infrared photography, altering a camera and restricting it to one narrow genre is probably not an attractive prospect. After all, what if you decide it’s not for you?

In the 12-minute video above from e6 Vlogs, learn about the alternative way to try it out: by using specialized filters.

These filters screw onto the end of your lens and block all visible wavelengths of light. The small amount of infrared light that does manage to reach the sensor, despite the blocking filters, is then the only light available. Consequently, this means using very long exposures to create an image, but it’s a cheaper alternative than making a camera sacrifice.

Remember, if you do this you’ll need to compose and focus your shot before putting on the filter, otherwise you’ll just see a black screen. Some cameras offer a Live View “boost” mode that brightens it up enough, but not all do.

(via e6 Vlogs via Fstoppers)