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DIY technology: How to make your camera capture infrared images

April 21, 2016

We're all familiar with infrared technology as a diagnostic tool for the plant, but have you ever considered capturing your memories with an IR cameras?

We're all familiar with infrared technology as a diagnostic tool for the plant, but have you ever considered capturing your memories with an IR camera? I know what you are thinking: "I don't have enough money to afford an infrared camera just so I can take unique pictures at my 10-year-old's birthday party." Well, some artists and DIYers are hacking their cameras so that they can capture infrared wavelengths. Here's how.

According to Popular Science: "While we can’t see infrared light, we experience it all the time in the form of heat, which almost every object on Earth emits. Dark objects tend to radiate more heat than pale ones because they can absorb more light energy. This makes them appear brighter in infrared.

Infrared cameras are often expensive and specialized. But with a few tweaks, any camera, from a point-and- shoot to a DSLR, can snap infrared images.

All cameras can capture infrared light, but a filter allows only visible light through. To photograph both, first open up the camera so you can see the lens and the glass filter over it. Carefully remove that filter."

To learn more, read "Set Your Filter To Infrared" from Popular Science.

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector. 

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