infrared photography

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June 29, 2026

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Infrared photography captures images using infrared and heat radiations, which are invisible to the human eye. Films can be sensitized to infrared rays, typically in the 800 to 1,000 nanometre range. This technique is useful in aerial photography to cut through haze and mist, revealing differences in foliage that are not apparent in visible light.1

In forensic science, infrared photography can detect ink alterations in forgeries and identify stains. Medically, it can visualize subcutaneous blood vessels because skin is transparent to infrared light. Infrared scanner systems can create images based on temperature variations, useful for diagnosing conditions like cancer by detecting heat emission from pathological tissue growths. Infrared radiation is also a key component of heat transfer and plays a role in the Earth's greenhouse effect.12

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electromagnetic radiation
Infrared radiation
Infrared photography of distant objects from the air takes advantage of this phenomenon. For the same reason, infrared astronomy enables researchers to observe cosmic objects through large clouds of interstellar dust that scatter infrared radiation substantially less than visible light. However, since water vapour, ozone,…
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Infrared photography of distant objects from the air takes advantage of this phenomenon. For the same reason, infrared astronomy enables researchers to observe cosmic objects through large clouds of interstellar dust that scatter infrared radiation substantially less than visible light. However, since water vapour, ozone,…
Read More

technology of photography
Infrared photography
Images formed by infrared and heat radiations can be recorded directly, on films sensitive to them, or indirectly, by photographing the image produced by some other system registering infrared radiation.
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Images formed by infrared and heat radiations can be recorded directly, on films sensitive to them, or indirectly, by photographing the image produced by some other system registering infrared radiation.
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optics
Detectors
…are sensitive far into the infrared spectrum and are used to detect the heat radiated by a flame or other hot object. A number of image intensifiers and converters, particularly for X-ray or infrared radiation, which have appeared since World War II, embody a radiation detector at one end of…
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…are sensitive far into the infrared spectrum and are used to detect the heat radiated by a flame or other hot object. A number of image intensifiers and converters, particularly for X-ray or infrared radiation, which have appeared since World War II, embody a radiation detector at one end of…
Read More

materials testing
Infrared
Infrared photography of the surface will then indicate the location and shape of the defective adhesive. A variation of this method employs thermal coatings that change colour upon reaching a specific temperature.
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Infrared photography of the surface will then indicate the location and shape of the defective adhesive. A variation of this method employs thermal coatings that change colour upon reaching a specific temperature.
Read More