Tag:cemetary
Infrared photography is a captivating form of capturing images that can reveal a hidden world that is invisible to the human eye. Infrared was initially developed for scientific and military purposes. However, this unique photographic technique has evolved into a creative medium that photographers and artists worldwide are embracing.
By using light beyond the visible spectrum, photographers can create surreal and dreamlike images, which offer a new perspective on the world. This post will explore the fascinating world of infrared photography, including its history, techniques, equipment, and the breathtaking results it can produce.
History of Infrared Photography
Infrared photography has its origins in the early 20th century when scientists discovered the existence of infrared light beyond the visible spectrum. An English physicist named Robert W. Wood (1868-1955) conducted experiments with infrared-sensitive photographic plates in 1910, which furthered research in this area. In the same year, he captured the first infrared and ultraviolet photographs, which were of subjects around his summer home in East Hampton, N.Y., as well as the Moon. During World War II, infrared film proved to be useful for aerial surveillance, enabling the military to detect camouflage and hidden enemy targets.
Photographers started using infrared film in the 1930s. Infrared film allowed them to capture stunning landscapes and portraits with an ethereal feel. With digital photography, infrared imaging is now more accessible, allowing photographers to explore this unique artistic expression. Two decades later, recording artists like Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead further popularised the technique. They released album covers with infrared images that were popular due to their multicolored look.
Understanding Infrared Light
Infrared photography captures light beyond the visible spectrum, usually in the near-infrared (NIR) or shortwave infrared (SWIR) ranges. Unlike traditional photographic films, which are not sensitive to infrared light, specialised equipment or modifications are required to achieve the desired results. Dedicated infrared cameras or modified DSLRs equipped with infrared-passing filters can capture infrared imagery in digital photography.
Converting a Camera for Infrared Photography
There are two popular methods to capture infrared images. One way is to modify a digital camera by removing the infrared-blocking filter and replacing it with a filter that blocks visible light. This modification makes the camera sensitive to infrared light. Another way is to attach an infrared filter to the lens of a standard digital camera. This filter allows only infrared light to pass through, enabling the camera to capture infrared images.
Finding the Right Subjects
Landscapes
Infrared photography can turn ordinary landscapes into scenes from a fantasy world, with vegetation appearing in striking shades of white and pink and skies taking on a deep, dramatic hue.
Plants and trees reflect infrared light, which makes them appear bright and luminous. This contrasts sharply with darker elements such as water, rocks or skies. Infrared photography can also enhance the appearance of clouds, making them appear more dramatic and fluffy against a deep black sky. Since water absorbs infrared light, it seems darker in photographs. This allows for exciting contrasts between water and the surrounding scenery.
Architecture
Old buildings, such as those made of stone and brick, have unique textures and appearances when captured in infrared. Similarly, modern buildings with sleek designs and large glass panels create a fascinating futuristic look in infrared photography. You can also experiment with contrasts by capturing older and newer structures or juxtaposing natural elements, such as trees and skies, with architectural subjects.
Portraits
Unique Skin Textures: When captured using infrared light, imperfections on the skin become highlighted, and the skin appears smoother, resulting in surreal and ethereal portraits.
Dramatic Eyes: Infrared photography often captures the irises of the eyes as much lighter or almost white, resulting in intense and captivating portraits.
Black and White: Infrared portraits translate exceptionally well in black and white, which enhances their timeless and dramatic quality.”
Other Compelling Subjects
Cemeteries offer a unique opportunity to capture evocative and haunting imagery with the weathered textures of tombstones and the starkness of the IR aesthetic. Similarly, automotive photography can be transformed by using Infrared techniques, resulting in a fascinating, vintage appearance. Additionally, ruins and abandoned buildings become even more captivating and moody when photographed with an IR look. IR enhances the eeriness of decay and desolation.
Ideal Shooting Conditions
Traditional photography steers clear of harsh shadows or sunny days. Infrared photography runs toward it. Not only does more light give the photographer more infrared for imaging, but it also makes shutter speeds more manageable and raises the intensity of the refracted IR light within the scene. This can deliver stunning effects. Sunlight and clear skies are optimal for infrared photography, as infrared light is abundant under these conditions.
- Midday sun can create intense contrasts and dynamic images, while overcast skies produce softer, more subdued results.
Post-Processing Techniques
- Post-processing is essential to infrared photography, as raw infrared images may appear reddish or magenta.
- Adjusting white balance, swapping colour channels, and fine-tuning contrast can reveal infrared photographs’ surreal, otherworldly appearance.
Equipment for Infrared Photography
Infrared Filters
- Infrared filters are essential for photographers who opt not to convert their cameras. The filters block visible light and allow only infrared light to pass through.
Converted Infrared Cameras
- For photographers dedicated to infrared imaging, converting a digital camera to be sensitive to infrared light is a popular choice.
- Converted cameras are permanently modified to capture infrared light without external filters, providing convenience and flexibility in shooting.
Infrared photography is a fascinating technique that reveals a hidden and surreal perspective of the world around us. By using specialised equipment and techniques, photographers can create beautiful and extraordinary images that capture the unique qualities of infrared light. Whether taking photos of breathtaking landscapes, striking portraits, or architectural wonders, infrared photography inspires and captivates photographers and viewers.
Seven km south of Rushworth and ten km south-west of the Waranga Basin reservoir lies the abandoned gold mining town of Whroo. The name is pronounced ‘roo’ and comes from an Aboriginal word meaning lips. The town is completely gone with little evidence of its existence, save for Whroo cemetery. The final resting place of 400 of the town inhabitants. Whroo is abandoned but not forgotten as the Whroo Cemetery trust works to restore the graves.
Gold!
In October 1854, the year after Rushworth, two sailors, John Thomas Lewis and James Meek Nickinson discovered gold at Whroo on Balaclava Hill. Balaclava Hill was a rich field and was later mined by open cut. The call of gold brought thousands of miners to Whroo; however, the population had shrunk to around 450 by 1858.
By 1865 Whroo had a flourishing gold mining industry. Serviced by a mechanics’ institute, library, two churches, three hotels, a cordial factory and three ore crushing mills. By 1933, at the last census, the population had dwindled to 52, and by 1955 it was a ghost town. Walking there today it is a silent, empty place of dry, dusty earth and ironbark forest.
Whroo Cemetery
The Whroo cemetery epitomises the difficulties of living in a harsh, unforgiving environment before modern medical care. Regardless of status, health, age or nationality, a simple illness or accident led to death. Chinese miners account for 15% of 400 graves. The Chinese were a significant part of the community as miners, puddling machine operators and market gardeners. Of the 400 graves, only around 200 names have been identified by the Whroo cemetery trust due to the deterioration of the grave markers.
Many of the graves are of children. These were either stillborn or died when Diptheria, Typhoid or dysentery swept through the town. Tuberculosis was also a common cause of death at the time. Among the graves is six children from one family. The eldest of which was a girl who died at just two years old. Their mother is also buried with them, who passed in her early 40s. Other graves as those of miners who died of illness or mining accidents
The cemetery trust is working on naming all the graves, and to that end, it has unveiled a new plaque with the names of all those interned there.
