A Side by Side Comparison Guide
Another World, IR image
Infrared photography reveals a world invisible to the human eye, transforming familiar landscapes into surreal monochrome scenes where foliage glows ethereally and skies deepen to near black tones. But how does it truly differ from classic black and white photography beyond the obvious aesthetic?
In this comprehensive comparison, I've created six side by side image pairs captured under identical conditions to demonstrate the practical differences between infrared and traditional black and white photography. Using two Canon 5Ds camera bodies (one standard, one infrared converted), paired with the same Canon 17mm TS lens, I photographed the same compositions throughout different times of day to show how light quality affects each medium differently.
Understanding the Fundamental Difference
Traditional black and white photography captures the visible light spectrum (400-700nm), converting colors to grayscale based on their luminance values. Infrared photography, however, captures light wavelengths beyond human vision (typically 720-1000nm), creating images based on how subjects reflect infrared radiation rather than visible light. This fundamental difference means:
Foliage appears bright white due to high chlorophyll IR reflectance
Blue skies render dramatically dark as they absorb IR light
Water surfaces absorb IR, creating darker tones and enhanced contrast
Atmospheric haze becomes more visible or penetrated depending on wavelength
Focus points shift due to longer wavelengths requiring adjustment
The Test Methodology
All comparison images were captured over a day and a half period specifically to ensure accurate comparisons:
Each composition was photographed first with the standard camera body, then immediately with the IR converted camera
Both cameras used identical settings and remained tripod mounted between shots
Images were taken at various times (morning, midday, evening) to demonstrate how light quality impacts IR effectiveness
Weather conditions: mostly windy with variable cloud cover, causing some differences in sky and light levels between shots
Important Note: IR image quality is directly related to sunlight strength and quality. The stronger and clearer the sunlight, the more pronounced the infrared effect.
About the Equipment
The infrared camera features an 820nm conversion, which produces results that closely resemble conventional black and white files and respond well to standard editing techniques. I've successfully converted three Canon bodies through LifePixel.com, whose website offers comprehensive information about IR conversion options and photography techniques. (This is not a sponsored endorsement, simply my positive experience.)
Critical Consideration: Lens Compatibility
Not all lenses work well for infrared photography. Some produce undesirable "hot spots" (circular overexposed areas in the centre) or excessive flaring due to their optical design. The Canon 17mm TS lens used here performs well in IR. Kolari Vision maintains a comprehensive database of lens compatibility across manufacturers , consult this before committing to IR photography with your favourite lenses.
Focusing in Infrared
Due to IR light's longer wavelength (820nm vs 380-780nm visible light), focus points differ from visible light photography. In film days, every lens had a red infrared correction mark on the focusing ring. Today's Live View (digital display) has eliminated this issue, allowing for precise "what you see is what you get" focusing. For optimal results, LifePixel can specifically calibrate your camera/lens combination.
Post Processing Approach
Both IR and BW files received only minimal adjustments in Lightroom (exposure, shadows, highlights) to achieve comparable baseline tonality. No advanced editing techniques were applied, these comparisons show the inherent differences in how each medium captures the scene.
Visual Comparisons: IR vs BW
Please click on the images to view larger versions and see the finer details. Infrared images are always on the left, Black and White on the right.
Improper focus and excessive vegetation demonstrate challenges in IR photography versus well-executed traditional black and white
Comparison #1: Focus Precision and Subject Selection Challenges
Conditions: General landscape with mixed elements
Key Observations:
The IR image demonstrates improper focus calibration, notice the overall softness compared to the sharp, well defined textures in the BW image on the right. This illustrates the critical importance of focus adjustment when working with infrared wavelengths.
Beyond focus issues, this set demonstrates the importance of careful subject selection in IR photography. Vegetation with high chlorophyll content strongly reflects IR light, causing "blooming" artifacts. While this glowing effect can be desirable when used sparingly to create a magical environment, this composition contains too much vegetation, grass in the foreground, lucerne fields in the mid ground, and large amounts of white clouds in the sky. These excessive bright areas obscured fine details and texture separation.
Verdict: Photographing with standard BW camera was definitively the better choice for this scene.
Shaded scene with vegetation and water demonstrates infrared's ability to create magical atmosphere with subtle glow
Comparison #2: Intimate Scenes and Ethereal Quality
Conditions: Shaded environment, water feature with overhanging vegetation
Key Observations:
In comparison to the first set, this demonstrates better IR subject selection. A more intimate scene illustrates infrared's unique ability to transform an otherwise ordinary BW image into something ethereal and magical.
Notice the subtle white glow and superior detail present in leaves inside the IR image versus leaves on the tree branch in the BW image. Water surfaces absorb IR light, causing them to go darker, which increases contrast and helps separate the white leaves from their surroundings.
Verdict: When used thoughtfully on appropriate subjects, IR creates atmosphere impossible to achieve with traditional BW.
Late afternoon light with clear blue sky showcases infrared's graphic quality and enhanced reflection detail
Comparison #3: Reflections and Sky Drama
Conditions: Late afternoon sun, clear blue sky, water reflections
Key Observations:
Quality of light is one of the most important considerations in photography, and this applies equally to IR and visible light. This low, late afternoon light has dramatically enhanced the IR image compared to the BW version.
Note the superior quality of reflections (characteristic of infrared photography) contained in the IR image versus faint tree reflections in the BW image. Clear blue sky is particularly advantageous for IR, blue strongly absorbs IR light, turning it into dark black tones versus the light grey seen in the BW image. This gives infrared images a unique, almost graphic quality.
The presence of white clouds on blue sky adds additional interest to IR compositions. Adding an ND filter could prolong exposure time and create desirable cloud streaking effects.
Verdict: IR excels in late afternoon light with clear skies and reflective water surfaces.
Delicate early morning light produces equally compelling results in both infrared and traditional black and white
Comparison #4: Delicate Morning Light Balance
Conditions: Early morning sun, 10-15 minutes after sunrise
Key Observations:
This set captures delicate early morning light quality that's excellent for landscapes. To me, this lighting has produced almost equally pleasing compositions in both IR and BW.
The IR image features rich detail in tree bark, darker sky contrasting with white leaf reflections, giving a more ethereal feel to the image. However, the BW version holds its own with beautiful subtle tones and natural luminance relationships.
Verdict: Under ideal morning light conditions, both mediums can produce equally compelling results, choice becomes purely aesthetic preference.
Strong midday sun reveals infrared's advantage in forest scenes with rich detail and atmospheric drama
Comparison #5: Forest Detail and Midday Performance
Conditions: Midday sun, forest scene
Key Observations:
To achieve proper exposure, IR cameras need longer exposure times than BW cameras. I used a 6-stop Lee ND filter on both cameras, which created streaking cloud effects. The dark break in the clouds was due to a clear blue portion of sky.
Note the rich detail and tonal separation in the forest trees in the IR image versus the BW image, which lacks separation and tonal differentiation. This could have been more pronounced in BW if light levels hadn't dropped due to clouds covering the sun at the moment of exposure.
Verdict: Midday sun produced the more interesting image in IR, with superior forest detail and atmospheric drama.
Cloud covered sky conditions demonstrate when infrared offers no advantage, traditional black and white produces superior results
Comparison #6: When Infrared Offers No Advantage
Conditions: Cloud-covered afternoon sky, overcast conditions
Key Observations:
I've included this image set to demonstrate conditions under which using an IR camera has no advantages over BW.
Comparing these images, there's almost no difference in how scene tones are rendered. However, on closer inspection, the BW image has overall better tonal values and details. Without strong sunlight to create IR reflectance differences, the infrared advantage disappears entirely.
Verdict: Under overcast conditions, traditional BW photography is the superior choice.
Conclusion: Choosing Between Infrared and Black and White
After examining these six real world comparisons, several key insights emerge about the practical differences between infrared and traditional black and white photography:
When Infrared Excels:
Strong, direct sunlight where IR reflectance is maximized
Scenes with vegetation where chlorophyll creates dramatic luminosity
Clear blue skies that render as dark black for graphic contrast
Water reflections where IR characteristics enhance surface detail
Late afternoon and midday when sun angle and strength are optimal
Intimate forest scenes with foliage that benefits from the ethereal glow
When Traditional Black and White Shines:
Overcast or cloudy conditions where IR effects diminish dramatically
Scenes with excessive vegetation where blooming obscures detail
Subjects requiring sharp focus without additional calibration
Low-light situations (early morning, late evening) where IR is weak
Complex landscapes requiring subtle tonal gradations
Any situation where predictable tonal relationships matter
The Critical Light Quality Factor
Perhaps the most important takeaway from these comparisons is how critically sunlight quality affects infrared photography. While black and white photography remains consistent across lighting conditions (adjusting only in contrast and mood), infrared photography's effectiveness is directly tied to the strength and quality of infrared radiation present.
As demonstrated in Comparison #6, overcast days can produce underwhelming or even inferior IR results compared to traditional BW. Conversely, strong midday sun or late afternoon light (Comparisons #3 and #5) reveal IR at its most dramatic and effective.
Technical Considerations:
Focus calibration is essential , improper focus ruins IR images
Lens compatibility must be verified before investing in conversion
Subject selection matters more in IR than traditional BW
Exposure times are longer for IR, affecting workflow
Weather dependence makes IR less versatile for varied conditions
Is IR Conversion Right for You?
Converting a camera to infrared is a permanent commitment that works best if:
You're genuinely drawn to the surreal, ethereal aesthetic IR provides
You photograph frequently in strong sunlight conditions
You work with landscapes featuring vegetation, water, and open skies
You're comfortable with technical considerations and workflow adjustments
You want a dedicated tool for a specific creative vision rather than general use
For photographers who work in varied conditions or prefer tonal flexibility, traditional black and white photography offers more consistency and predictability. Many photographers find that keeping one IR converted body alongside standard equipment provides the best of both worlds, the option to choose the most effective medium for each scene and lighting condition.
Final Thoughts
These comparisons represent the baseline differences between the two mediums with minimal post processing. Both infrared and black and white photography offer extensive creative potential through advanced editing techniques.
The question isn't which medium is "better", each serves different creative visions and excels under different conditions. As these six comparisons demonstrate, infrared can produce stunning, otherworldly results under the right conditions, but it can also produce inferior results when conditions don't favor IR reflectance characteristics.
Understanding these fundamental differences, particularly the critical role of light quality and subject selection, allows you to make informed decisions about when to use each approach. Whether that means converting a camera body or simply appreciating the unique perspective infrared photography brings to landscape work, knowledge of these practical limitations and advantages is essential.
If you're considering IR conversion, take time to research your lens compatibility, understand the conversion wavelength options (720nm, 820nm, 950nm each produce different effects), and ensure the aesthetic aligns with your photographic goals and typical shooting conditions. The investment can open entirely new creative possibilities , as long as you understand both the advantages and limitations demonstrated in these real world comparisons.
I hope these practical comparisons have clarified the real world differences between these two approaches to monochrome photography.
For more examples visit: Infrared Black and White