Wildlife Photography In Infrared

A unique shot of a Massai Giraffe. The frosted leaves and deep blue skies are effects of IR

Over the last couple of weeks I've been having alot of fun experimenting with Infrared Photography, which is what i also like to call the world of 'invisible light'. Invisible because IR light is beyond the visible spectrum of human beings and so capturing photographs in this dimension involves alot of imagination, creativity and aforethought.

The world we look at and recognize everyday is suddenly and completely transformed in IR as ordinary colours, textures, trees, water, metals, buildings and the like all reflect IR light very differently. 

A Baobab tree on the highway near Tsavo West

Although IR is not generally popular for wildlife portraits because of the lifelessness effect in the photographs, for example the giraffe in the first picture, i personally find that it looks extraordinary and works really great on landscapes which have alot of trees. 

Overtime every photographer will naturally develop their own preferred style and at this moment, I enjoy trying different subject angles while incorporating more backgrounds.

A Giant Aldabra Tortoise going about its day

Understandably, because Infrared photography breaks away from the typical genre it is not everybody's cup of tea, you either like it or you don't. 

It can also become somewhat costly since filters can run for a few $100's, while modifying your existing or spare camera into IR is a permanent non-reversible process.

Nevertheless i personally find that since Infrared Photography opens a once invisible dimension, the potential to explore and have alot of fun is limitless.

Best regards,
Shazaad Kasmani