Infrared Vision: October 2009

Chicago Slides: Fall 2009
Visual Design (Roll 1): Fall 2009

In October, I learned that digital cameras pick up infrared light – light in a color we can’t see. This blew my mind. It still does. I discovered I could make a homemade infrared filter out of nothing but a shortened cardboard paper towel tube and a couple layers of exposed film. I had plenty of that lying around in film school! It was opaque to my eye, but let only infrared light pass through to the camera lens.

The following photos are a sample of my experimentation with a consumer digital camera (a Canon PowerShot) and the homemade infrared filter, getting the lens to focus correctly through it, capturing the light in the best ways possible, and slowly gaining proficiency. 10/4/2009 – 10/6/2009.

A close-up regular photo of the front of a black TV remote control, demonstrating the shine of the infrared (IR) light. The IR light appears as a bright pinkish-purple dot in the center of the remote’s IR emitter, visible to the camera but not to the naked eye. The remote is slightly scuffed, held in my hand, and the background shows blurred gray fabric, a couch.

the only photo here not through the filter. ordinary tv remote.

An infrared photo taken from a dorm window, showing a Chicago skyscraper to the left with a grid of windows, white-leafed trees from Grant Park glowing brightly due to the IR light, and the expanse of Lake Michigan visible in the distance. Puffy white clouds hover above, and green light leaks through the sprocket holes of the filter, creating circular highlights.

first shot out my window through the filter

A hazy, purple-toned infrared image looking at the silhouette of Chicago buildings against a featureless sky. The image feels ethereal and otherworldly due to the experimental filter and lack of sharp details. A tall smokestack protrudes from one of the buildings on the left.

color experimentation

Another monochrome infrared image, featuring the faint outlines of buildings, a water tower, and a streetlamp glowing dimly in the lower-left corner. The scene is dark and grainy, evoking a mysterious, dreamlike atmosphere.

speed experimentation

An infrared-filtered photo of dense plant foliage, where the leaves appear glowing white instead of their natural green due to the IR effect. The edges of the frame are bordered by vibrant green light, caused by sprocket hole leaks in the handmade filter. The textures of the leaves are soft but distinct, giving a surreal glow to the plants.

plant tissue reflects infrared light especially well. taking photos of plants is a good way to see how well the filter works.

An infrared photo of a rainy Chicago street scene, showing cars with headlights reflecting off the wet pavement, flanked by dark buildings on either side. The trees lining the street have leaves that appear bright white in the IR light. Green light leaks through the sprocket holes, creating a circular border around the edges of the photo, adding to its experimental aesthetic.

Another view from my Columbia College Van Buren Avenue dorm window, looking out over a Chicago building with a flat roof and bright white-leafed trees in Grant Park. The lake in the distance appears dark under a dramatic sky filled with large, illuminated clouds. Green light spills through the sprocket holes, enhancing the surreal and vibrant quality of the infrared image.

getting better

A striking infrared photograph of a cityscape in Chicago, showcasing a bright sunlight reflection glaring off the glass façade of a skyscraper, highlighting the intense brightness of infrared light. The edges of the image feature green light from the filter sprocket holes, adding an experimental touch. Other buildings and glowing streetlamps contribute to the urban composition.

sunlight contains a broad spectrum of all colors, including plenty of infrared

An infrared view of a tree with dark, intricate branches contrasted by bright white foliage caused by the infrared effect, replacing the typical dark green appearance. The ethereal glow of the leaves emphasizes the surreal transformation under the infrared filter.

this is a dark green tree

A scenic infrared shot capturing Chicago's skyline with towering skyscrapers and fluffy clouds scattered across the sky. The trees in the foreground display white leaves, their usual dark green replaced by a luminous glow. The grass appears almost snowy, shining bright white in the sunlight due to infrared light.

A detailed infrared image of a Chicago sidewalk, where cracks in the pavement reveal grass that glows bright white instead of its natural dark green. The simplicity of the composition highlights the texture of the concrete and the stark contrast created by the infrared effect.

this is a line of grubby little dark brown and green weeds in a sidewalk crack

A dynamic infrared photograph of a Chicago scene featuring tall skyscrapers and various plants, including grass and vines, all glowing bright white in stark contrast to the usual green tones. The composition mixes the urban and natural elements with an ethereal quality. A close-up infrared image of a concrete post wrapped in dense vines, with a chain extending outward. The vines, normally dark in tone, appear bright white under the infrared filter, creating a ghostly and delicate texture that contrasts with the hard concrete surface. A panoramic infrared view of Grant Park in Chicago, featuring iconic skyscrapers in the background. The foreground is dominated by glowing white plants, trees, and grass, all radiating under the sunlight due to the infrared effect. The green light from the filter's sprocket holes subtly frames the edges, adding to the experimental aesthetic. A serene infrared photograph showcasing a harbor with sailboats docked along the edge, their forms muted by the haze of infrared light. In the foreground, a perfectly centered garden patch glows with a brilliant white intensity, contrasting against the textured brick pavement. The expansive sky above is filled with dramatic, billowing clouds, their details emphasized by the infrared effect. An infrared-filtered view of a Chicago city bus, its headlights gleaming with a visible infrared glow. The bus is parked at a stop with faintly visible signage and a shelter to the left. A person stands near the door, their figure rendered ghostly and pale due to the infrared light. The backdrop includes towering skyscrapers and trees with leaves appearing bright white, creating an ethereal urban scene.

The iconic Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, captured in infrared light. The fountain's multiple tiers and flowing water streams appear almost otherworldly, surrounded by a ring of glowing white grass that is dark green in visible light. The intricate iron fencing around the fountain is clearly defined, while the sky above is filled with dynamic, textured clouds, accentuated by the infrared effect. Green light leaks from the filter provide a surreal, dreamy frame.

the white layer is dark green grass

A close-up infrared view of meticulously trimmed hedges and a garden pathway. The rows of hedges, along with surrounding trees and bushes, all appear luminous white due to the infrared filter, creating a stark contrast against the subtle shadows. The composition emphasizes the structured elegance of the landscaping, with soft light leaks around the edges adding an experimental aesthetic. A wide infrared view of a Chicago street intersection framed by majestic clouds filling the sky. The trees and grass along the sidewalks glow a vibrant white, highlighting the infrared effect. Streetlights and streetlamps punctuate the scene, their structures starkly defined. The road, with faint car movement captured as light trails, adds a dynamic element to the otherwise tranquil and surreal urban landscape.

Chicago Slides: Fall 2009
Visual Design (Roll 1): Fall 2009


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