How to Take Full-Spectrum Photos
Full-spectrum photography attempts to capture light beyond the range detectable by the human eye. Light within the range of human vision, with a wavelength of 400 to 750 nanometers (nm), is typically interpreted by a camera's sensor to be red, green or blue in color. Most digital camera sensors can detect light beyond this range, but a hot mirror within the camera narrows the light to fit it within the range detectable by human vision. Removing the hot mirror allows the camera to accept and interpret infrared (700-1000 nm) and ultraviolet light (1-400 nm). The resulting range can then be interpreted into stunning color combinations, both real and surreal.
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Things You'll Need
- Digital camera
- External lens filter or internal hot mirror replacement filter
- Tripod (optional)
Instructions
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Attach a filter that blocks visible light to your lens. This is a less permanent option than replacing the camera's internal hot mirror, but it requires a much longer exposure time, so you will need a tripod. The shutter must remain open for many seconds because the hot mirror will still block most of the infrared light from reaching the imaging sensor. The filter will also make it extremely difficult to see or focus the shot.
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Select a filter to replace your camera's hot mirror. Replacement options are detailed by most professional vendors who perform camera conversion services. Options include standard infrared filters, infrared filters that accommodate enhanced colors and filters that accommodate more contrast and tonal ranges for black and white photography. Vendors will often offer graphs detailing the ranges of light supported by each filter option. Some filters will require post-processing, so ask the vendor if the filter you selected will produce a color cast that requires post-processing within an imaging program.
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Replace the hot mirror in your digital camera with a clear filter. The safest way is to send your camera to a professional camera conversion company. Two professional vendors that offer this service are Khromagery and LifePixel. If you want to replace the hot mirror yourself, Surrealcolor.com offers step-by-step tutorials for numerous camera models.
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Explore the new spectral capabilities of your converted camera. Vary the white balance and ISO settings and experiment with the post-processing of your files to achieve the full-spectrum effect you desire.
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Tips & Warnings
Shoot your images in raw format so that you can adjust the white balance and other settings later.
Use a lens hood to avoid lens flares in your images.
Learn to use the histogram on your camera when shooting full-spectrum photographs.
Tampering with your camera may void the warranty.
You risk damaging your camera if you attempt to replace its hot mirror yourself.
