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Infrared Cameras
Infrared photography in the past used film cameras with special film to record spectacular
imagery. The issue with these Infrared Cameras is that it is a very difficult process of
special handling a unique type of film in total darkness. Sometimes the cameras
themselves have to be taped in order to block out all light from entering the camera and
exposing the sensitive Infrared film. Filters also need to be placed on the camera in order
to get the desired results but unfortunately block out all visible light, making focusing these
Infrared cameras much more difficult.
Digital Infrared cameras made Infrared photography much easier because they do not
use film. These Infrared cameras rely upon electronics to be able to see into the Near
Infrared spectrum of light (approximately 750nm-1200nm) which is just above the visible
range of light (what human eyesight can see). In order for the camera to be able to see this
range, Infrared cameras are typically created by modifying a standard camera through the
removal of the IR-cut filter or “hot mirror.” This filter is placed within the optics of most
digital cameras in order to make the camera's eye (called a CCD chip) see the same
range of light as we do, keeping the colors the same. To remove this filter in digital
cameras in order to create a camera that can see Infrared is a tricky process.
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Using Infrared Cameras
Infrared cameras can be used for taking
beautiful photographs that look “other-
worldly.” They can also be used to see in the
dark when Infrared lighting is used for various
purposes, including ghost investigation.
Stock cameras that are made to see in the
dark from the manufacturer are still filtered to
keep the range of light more near the visible
spectrum. They produce normal looking
photographs in daylight like any other stock
camera and do not see as far into the Near
Infrared range. This is not the same thing.
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The Cost of Infrared Cameras
Because expertise is required
to alter the optics, Infrared
cameras can be quite costly to
acquire. To have your digital
camera converted will cost
hundreds of dollars. However,
there is a more affordable
option. Recently, new and
used compact digital cameras
have been made available
that can see an expanded
range and are reasonably
priced. These altered models
are called a UV-Vis-IR
conversion. These Infrared
cameras can see the upper
Ultraviolet Light spectrum, the
Visible Light spectrum, as well
as the Near Infrared Light
spectrum. The potential range
of sight is from 330nm – 1200
nm, offering a more “full
spectrum” of capture beyond
what the human eye can
normally see. Not only are
these cameras a better option
for paranormal investigation,
but they can also work to
produce stunning images
during daylight without filtering
out the visible range with an IR
pass filter. This makes these
inexpensive Infrared cameras
a great option for artists and
photography enthusiasts to
begin Infrared photography!
With the added use of photo-
editing software, images
taken with digital Infrared
cameras can be easily
enhanced for spectacular
results.
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Above:
The top photo was taken with a UV-Vis-IR camera. This Infrared-seeing camera
can produce stunning images during the daylight. Our tree was captured on a
sunny day, showing a beautiful blue sky and white maple leaves.
We took the same photograph into a simple photo-editing program and adjusted
the hue to tint the tree and sky differently. You can also adjust brightness, contrast,
sharpness in the program we used for this demonstration.
Below:
Photos taken in the dark with Infrared lighting reveal strange phantoms...
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To buy one of these Infrared cameras, please visit the
Fringe Technology Store.
To learn more about these Infrared cameras, visit our
Full Spectrum Cameras page.
For more information on the photographs at right, visit
Infrared Cameras' Ghost Pictures.
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Right:
A face is seen peering from behind the column. Dayna
Hodgson of the UK took this Infrared Camera
photograph.
Right:
Dayna also captured a shadow in human form at an old
theatre in the UK using a 5.1 mp Fringe Tech Infrared
camera.
Right:
An energy anomaly is photographed on the stairs at
the Ohio Reformatory by Dale Lute using a Fringe
Tech Infrared camera and IR flashlight.
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