If you have ever looked at an infrared photograph and wondered why the trees look like they are covered in snow, or why the grass glows bright white, you are seeing the “Wood Effect.” It is the single most defining characteristic of infrared photography. Without it, most IR landscapes would look flat and uninteresting. But…

What infrared actually means in photography: In physics, infrared (IR) simply refers to electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible red light. The visible spectrum runs from roughly 400-700 nm, while near-infrared (NIR) – the band most relevant to photography – spans 700-1100 nm. Beyond that (mid-IR and thermal IR), you get into wavelengths where standard glass optics and silicon sensors stop…