Infrared Photography: Capture the World of the Invisible
A course by Paolo PettigianiPhotographer
A course by Paolo Pettigiani, Photographer
Learn to capture light invisible to the human eye and take infrared photographs to creatively reinterpret the world around you
The beauty of photography is that it's an extension of the human eye, allowing you to see what's beyond your sight, even the invisible. This is especially true of infrared photography, which captures wavelengths of light invisible to the naked eye and shows you an otherwise inaccessible world. With this technique, you can explore familiar places through a new lens as if they were uncharted territory.
Join photographer Paolo Pettigiani, whose photos have been featured in magazines like Wired and The Washington Post and who has worked with brands like Adobe and Pantone, and learn how to capture surreal images with infrared photography. Paolo teaches you key composition techniques and guides you through the process of shooting and editing a series of strikingly colorful images. Get ready to explore the magical world of the invisible.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 21 downloads
What is meant by infrared light?
8 minutes, 22 seconds
Digital systems for infrared photography
15 minutes, 21 seconds
Tips for buying filters and cameras
9 minutes, 37 seconds
Photographic composition and weather conditions
16 minutes, 9 seconds
The white balance
4 minutes, 7 seconds
Shooting and settings for unmodified camera
5 minutes, 22 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know Paolo Pettigiani, your teacher and personal guide through this invisible universe. He tells you about his artistic career and the influences that have changed the way he views the world.
Next, get a better understanding of what infrared light is and the origin of this photography technique. Look at different ways to capture the invisible with digital photography and see the two most commonly used methods for taking these shots: using a lens filter or modifying the camera itself.
Paolo then goes over the equipment you need for the final project and gives you tips on choosing the right gear.
Study the light conditions that best favor this kind of photography and learn key composition techniques to take incredible infrared photos. Now it's time for your shoot! Adjust your camera to the ideal settings, experiment with composition, and start taking photos.
Once you've finished, learn how to edit your photos in both Lightroom and Photoshop to get high-quality final images.
To round out the course, Paolo shares his favorite post-production tricks and shows you a more creative and free-form approach to editing your infrared photos to produce mind-bending images with even more surreal colors.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Shoot a series of three infrared photos taken in one or more locations, playing with different types of composition.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone who loves photography or is a professional in the industry.
Requirements and materials
Basic notions of digital photography and a working knowledge of Lightroom and Photoshop are required for this course.
In terms of materials, you need a traditional, reflex, or infrared converted camera, a tripod, and some filters for this type of photography, as well as a computer with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.
Reviews
- 1 year ago
Corso ben strutturato. Concetti espressi in modo chiaro e lineare.
- 2 years ago
Credo che sia un corso utile nel suo genere. Ti guida passo passo in ogni punto nel quale sviluppare questa tecnica. Veramente eccezionale e utili. Complimenti.
- 3 years ago
Presents an interesting and unique skill set in an easy to follow and understand guide. His enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject shines through!
- 3 years ago
Great intro into the world of infrared photography, with insights on what works and what doesn't.
- 3 years ago
Il corso è molto chiaro e spiegato bene, lo consiglio
Thanks to his infrared series shot in New York's Central Park, he has gained international recognition and his work has been featured in a variety of magazines including The Washington Post, Wired, [i]La Repubblica[i], Vogue, and Vanity Fair. In 2018, he cofounded the communication agency No Panic with two other partners, through which he has collaborated with brands like Adobe, Huawei, Red Bull, and Pantone.
Content
- U1
My world in a photo
- About Me
- The artists who inspired me
- U2
The keys to the invisible
- What is meant by infrared light?
- Digital systems for infrared photography
- Tips for buying filters and cameras
- U3
The photo shoot
- Photographic composition and weather conditions
- The white balance
- Shooting and settings for unmodified camera
- Shooting and settings for modified camera
- U4
Edit images
- Build a catalog and custom profiles
- Post-production for unmodified machine
- Editing for 590 nm filter
- Post-production for Chrome IR filter
- U5
Creativity and sharing
- Tips for creative post-production
- The "Infraland" project
- FP
Final project
- Infrared Photography: Capture the World of the Invisible
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
Infrared photography is a technique that captures images using light invisible to the human eye. This course is designed for those who already have a basic photography background and want to explore new creative possibilities.
The course is tailored for those with basic photography knowledge who want to deepen their understanding of infrared techniques and creative experimentation.
It’s recommended to have a digital camera (DSLR, mirrorless, or compact) compatible with infrared filters or modified for full spectrum, plus IR filters like 720nm or IR Chrome.
You’ll learn how to shoot and edit infrared images, choose filters and gear, manage white balance, fix common issues, and develop a personal style through creative projects.
It’s not mandatory: you can use an unmodified camera with a 720nm filter, but full spectrum modification offers more creative freedom and easier use with various filters.
The most common filters are 720nm for classic effects, 590nm for more surreal colors, and IR Chrome to mimic Aerochrome film. The course covers the pros and cons of each.
The course teaches how to properly set custom white balance both when shooting and in post-production to get the best colors in infrared images.