Arch to Infinity: Exploring the World of Infrared Photography

As I take the next step in the exploration of the infrared photography world, there is more fun to discover! In last week’s post in the “Monday’s Spectrum Exploration” series, I shared some of the experimentation with materials and their response. Those images provided me with a sense of the responsiveness of the 720nm filter. With a bit of that knowledge on board, I pushed the envelope a bit more.

You can see in this week’s attempt what the result might be…

For this shot I put myself flat on the ground underneath this stone arch, positioning for the sunburst capture. Using the wide focal length of 24mm enabled me to use the trees for framing the image.

Using the ‘standard’ approach of a red/blue channel swap, I highlighted the bright, rich blue of the sky, seeming almost alien in its hue. There is a definite sense of this stone arch reaching out towards a faraway point, that is out of our view. Who knows, this could be a leftover impression of a wormhole from antiquity…

Author: jansenphoto

A Fresh Perspective Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment. Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael. My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals. Universal Connections My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation. This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections. Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client. And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography! View all posts by jansenphoto