Infrared photography and the time of the day

<p>Hello,<br>

This question may sound odd but I am wondering if someone can tell me if there is a particular time of the day that is considered the best for infrared photography. In other words, is there something special about - for example - early morning, middle of the day or dusk when it comes to infrared spectrum? <br>

In addition, what time of the year is considered the best for the regions that have the usual, distinct seasons, vs. the geographic locations that tend to be more less the same year-long, for example, deserts.<br>

Thank you.</p>

<p>The infrared spectrum from the sun reaching the earth will be strongest at high noon on a cloudless day near the equator during summer months. </p>

<p>The best time for IR photography might be different depending on your subject so it's really a matter of experimentation, or you can examine the scene and try predicting how it might look in IR, of course it also depends on your camera's IR sensitivity and whether you're using an IR pass filter (and its wavelength), or whether you're shooting broadband (IR + visible light). </p>

<p>For example, the video below was shot with an IR pass filter; the author doesn't mention the filter's wavelength but I'm guessing 1,000 nm. <br>

<a href="

<blockquote>

<p>"The best time for IR photography might be different depending on your subject so it's really a matter of experimentation . . ."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I agree - and if I understand correctly Michael is guiding you more towards experimenting rather than being too prescriptive and scientific. And I agree with that advice too. I've been 'experimenting' for years.</p>

<p>With a bit of practice, it is not all that difficult to 'imagine' what the scene will look like in IR . . .</p>

<p><a href="/photo/18061907&size=lg">In this first image I purposely wanted to get a Winter Sunrise, the IR converted Grey Scale seems to my eye to be more subtle than in Summer</a>.</p>

<p><a href="/photo/18061133&size=lg">This image was taken closer to Midday, in Spring: but a lot of the fore-ground and middle-ground of the scene is in muted or shaded light - whereas the houses in the back-ground are in direct sun light, so I think it is more about the feel that you want to create than "what is the best time of day" </a></p>

<p>WW</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Near-infrared photographs from the middle of the day often look surprisingly good - much less 'flat' than visible-spectrum photos taken at the same time. All I can suggest is experimentation to get a feel for how this medium works.</p>