| Infrared photography is sometimes placed on the | | | | camera that you've purchased will determine whether |
| outside edge of the mainstream photographic world. | | | | infrared images will be successful. Your camera should |
| To the uninitiated observer infrared photography | | | | be at least a semi-professional digital or digital |
| conjures up television images of car thieves speeding | | | | SLR-type with screw fittings to be able to connect |
| away from police helicopters during the dark hours of | | | | filters to the lens. |
| the night, only to be caught hiding beneath bushes | | | | The lenses of the cheaper and smaller digital cameras |
| beside a darkened home as their hot bodies light up | | | | don't usually support fittings for filters so may not be |
| the camera monitor in the police chopper like Bedouin | | | | appropriate for digital infrared imaging. Check your |
| camel herders atop a Sahara sand dune. | | | | camera's documentation to see if it will accommodate |
| In recent times professional photographers have made | | | | filters. |
| use of infrared film predominantly for black and white | | | | Next you will require an infrared filter. The Hoya R70 |
| portraits. However infrared photography is now not out | | | | infrared filter is one of the best and cheapest to buy, |
| of the realm of possibility for the average amateur | | | | however at around US$40 or more it can be out of |
| photographer. Digital cameras are now providing the | | | | the price range for most would-be infrared amateurs - |
| clever photographer with the opportunity to create | | | | especially since you still don't know if the end-product |
| beautiful infrared images at a fraction of the cost | | | | image will be what you want to achieve! If you've got |
| when compared to film. | | | | the money to spare (or to blow!) then give it a go. |
| Not all (or more accurately - not many) digital cameras | | | | After purchasing an infrared filter, attach it to your |
| are set up to be able to shoot infrared images. | | | | camera, set up a tripod outdoors on a sunny day and |
| So how do you know if your digital camera can shoot | | | | shoot away! The first thing you'll notice is that you can |
| infrared images? | | | | either see nothing or very little through the camera |
| This is a simple one to answer! | | | | eyepiece. |
| Point your digital camera at a television remote control | | | | Your camera will be recording images in the infrared |
| and take a photograph of the infrared sensor that's | | | | spectrum - not visible light - so you would expect to |
| located at one end of the remote while pressing | | | | see very little light through the filter with your own |
| buttons on the control to send out an infrared beam. If | | | | eyes. |
| your camera can shoot an image of the infrared light | | | | Be aware that adding an infrared filter may have |
| being emitted from the LED of the TV remote control | | | | serious effects on your camera's electronics or lens. |
| then you are on your way to producing an infrared | | | | Consult your camera's operations manual or |
| image! | | | | manufacturer before fitting any infrared filter to your |
| It's not enough to simply have any old digital camera | | | | camera, and never look through an infrared or any |
| for shooting infrared images. The type of digital | | | | other type of filter with your own eyes. |