Beyond Visible: 100 Years Of Infrared Photographs

by Paritoshika Kapoor | November 07, 2010

Infrared photography, one of the most fascinating photographic techniques, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The technique enables us to capture light that is invisible to the human eye. The first infrared photograph was taken by Professor Robert Williams Wood and was published in the Royal Photographic Society Journal in 1910 as an illustration for his paper.

Infrared photography became popular in 1960s, when several artists experimented with it to achieve some unusual and eye-catching effects. Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa and Donovan released albums with infrared photos on the covers.

In this post, we present over 60 breathtaking examples of infrared photography to inspire and amaze you. Every photograph is linked to the photographer’s website. Visit their portfolios for further inspiration.

Showcase of Infrared Photography

Infrared Lake, by Marcin Osadzin

Pink Tree Infrared, by Michael Laukeninks

The Park Infrared, by Dave Ellis

Infrared Pond, by Paula Cobleigh

The White Field, by Dave Ellis

Land of Dreams, by Pekka Suopellonmäki

Three Birches Infrared, by Michael Laukeninks

Infrared Butterfly

Infrared Flower

Tropical Garden Infrared, by Michael Laukeninks

San Francisco Infrared

Infrared Tree, by Christian Katzinger

Out of the Earth, by Chavdar Popov

Pameungpeuk, by Goldy Fatihadi

Windmill Infrared, by Christian Katzinger

Tropical Paradise Garden, by Michael Laukeninks

Masjig Agung Great Mosque

Blue Horses Infrared, by Michael Laukeninks

Cirahong Infrared, by Goldy Fatihadi

New Born Spring

Virgin Mary ‘On Sand’ Church (Wroclaw, Poland), by Daniel Gaworski

Fantasy Land, by Ekky Zainuddin Affandi

Kota Tua

Blue Infrared, by Dave Deluria

The Gritty City, by John Harvey

Eyes Do More than See, by Luis Argerich

Her World, by Zach Stern

Mystic Woods

Grödinge Church Infrared, by Anders Pettersson

By Bokeh Photography Studio

By Bokeh Photography Studio

By Gabriel Ramirez

Lapland, by Vaans Ruijten

The Horse, by Christel Eldrim

Aniko

By Dave Wild

By Corrado Borean

Infrared Crazy Colors (San Jose, California)

All Hail, by Matahumba Sir

Song for You, by Prayoga D. Widyanto

By Lloyd Chambers

Infrared Palm Springs (Version 1), by Pete Talke

Infrared Palm Springs (Version 2), by Pete Talke

The Park

Sam Pho Kong Semarang

The Gilded River

By Bokeh Photography Studio

By Bokeh Photography Studio

HDR Infrared Tree, by Alyssa Tompsett

By Bokeh Photography Studio

By Bokeh Photography Studio

By Bokeh Photography Studio

By Bokeh Photography Studio

By Bokeh Photography Studio

On the Shore

By Oscar Blanco

From LifePixel Photo Gallery

Peaceful Blue, by Joey Goldsmith

The Past Revisited, by Joey Goldsmith

From LifePixel Photo Gallery

Bernheim, by Joey Goldsmith

Infrared Jurassic Park, by Pete Talke

Infrared London (England), by Pete Talke

From LifePixel Photo Gallery

Infrared World (Sheffield Park, England), by Mark Bond

Escalator at Ladvi metro station (Prague, Czech Republic), by Steve Coleman

Three Trees in Infrared, by Andrew Hefter

Paihivo, by Daniel Gaworski