For infrared landscapes, mount a filter that blocks most visible light on a tripod mounted camera, shoot RAW, use long exposures, and set a custom white balance. The result is often glowing white foliage and dark skies. Treat every number below as a general baseline, and adjust for your camera.
Choosing a Filter or Conversion
Infrared filters are named by the wavelength they begin to pass, in nanometers. Lower numbers let in some visible color, higher numbers give a more pure infrared look.
| Filter type | General look |
|---|---|
| About 590 nm | Some color remains; strong channel swap potential |
| About 720 nm | Classic look, with white foliage and dark sky after editing |
| About 850 nm and higher | Mostly monochrome, very strong effect |
A screw on filter fits in front of the lens, but it makes the viewfinder very dark and needs long exposures. An alternative is a camera converted by a specialist, where the internal filter is replaced. Conversion allows normal shutter speeds and handheld shooting. Whichever you pick, check how well your camera sensor responds to infrared, as this varies by model.
Camera Settings to Try
- Mount the camera on a sturdy tripod and use a remote release or timer.
- Shoot RAW so you can set white balance and color in editing.
- Use aperture priority or manual, with an aperture around f/8 to f/11 as a baseline for depth of field.
- Keep ISO low, such as 100 or 200, to limit noise during long exposures.
- With a screw on filter, expect exposures of several seconds in daylight. Adjust by checking the histogram.
- Set a custom white balance by pointing at green grass, with the filter attached, and following the camera’s custom balance routine.
- Compose and focus before attaching the filter, then re-check focus afterward.
Focus and Other Tips
- Infrared light focuses at a slightly different point than visible light, so autofocus can miss. Live view with magnification, or a converted camera tuned for infrared, helps.
- Photograph in bright, clear sun, when foliage reflects the most infrared light.
- Look for leafy trees, grass, and clouds against blue sky for striking contrast.
- Watch for hot spots, a bright circular patch that some lenses show with infrared. Test a lens before a trip.
- In editing, swap the red and blue channels to create blue skies and golden or white foliage, or convert to black and white.
FAQ
Can any camera shoot infrared?
Many can with a filter, but sensors include their own infrared blocking filters that vary in strength. Search for results from your model to judge feasibility.
Why are my infrared photos red?
Raw infrared images look red or magenta straight from the camera. Custom white balance and channel editing turn that into a more neutral or stylized look.
The Short Version
Choose a filter wavelength for the look you want, shoot RAW from a tripod, set a custom white balance on foliage, and check focus carefully. Use bright sun and edit channels for the classic infrared style.
