Expand Your Landscape Photography with Infrared
When I’m in a beautiful location such as the Sierra mountains, I don’t want to stop taking pictures just because the sun has climbed high into the sky. And thanks to infrared photography, I don’t have to.
Any photographer worth his lens shade knows that the sweet light is two hours after sunrise and the couple of hours before it sets. But does that mean we limit our picture taking to four hours a day?
I don’t think so. At least not me.
When the light gets bright, I pull out my full-spectrum infrared camera and filters and keep working. Now it’s just a matter of what mood I’m in.
I often start with the 720nm filter that provides good b&w images with a dash of toning. In post, I can decide if I want all monochrome, like the image above, or allow a little tinting.
If I’m more in a color mood, as I was during my visit to Bodie State Park, then I switch to the 665nm that allows for blue skies and a bit of warmish tone.
Many of my fellow photographers who want to extend their shooting day also embrace this approach. The image below was created by Harold Mancusi-Ungaro at…
