Philippine Wedding Photography Technique: Infrared Photography

Philippine wedding photography constantly evolves to offer better services to soon-to-wed couples. Over the years, Filipino wedding photographers have graduated to a more stylized expressive technique, incorporating cutting-edge, ultra-chic snapshots with a unique design form and artistic flair. In fact, the wedding images are actually compiled to present more than just a catalog of wedding pictures; wedding albums now tend to convey the “total experience” of the bride and groom – their personal experience. From the “behind the scenes” pre-ceremony stages to the final dance of the evening, Filipino wedding photographers capture each segment of this fantastical celebration. Digital photography has virtually replaced film, offering the unlimited ability to transform the wedding images in order to propel the actualities of the day to new, more amazing artistic heights.

Color wedding images are often blended with black and white or sepia tones to further create a unique appearance; however, the line of creativity doesn’t stop there. A new innovation has been introduced by the Philippine wedding photography industry. It is called infrared photography. Although in existence for seventy years, infrared photography is making a comeback in Philippine wedding photography scene. This rare and favorably stylized art form offers an additional option for highlighting those extraordinary moments.

In infrared photography, the film or image sensor used is sensitive to infrared light. Usually an "infrared filter" is used; this lets infrared (IR) light pass through to the camera, but blocks all or most of the visible light spectrum. When these filters are used together with infrared-sensitive sensors or blockers, very interesting "in-camera effects" can be obtained; false-color or black-and-white images with a dreamlike or sometimes lurid appearance known as the "Wood Effect," named after the infrared photography pioneer Robert W. Wood.

At first glimpse, infrared wedding photography looks similar to traditional black and white wedding photography. Upon closer inspection, though, infrared’s unusual tonality is recognized and often appreciated. Objects that are normally bright in visible light (such as sky) appear dark, and objects that are typically dark (such as green and brown foliage) acquire a luminous glow. Infrared is almost a reversal of the image’s “normal” tones. The effects of this distinctive art produce radiant, shining greenery, darkened sky settings, and soft, delicate shadows. Infrared wedding images can be described as ethereal, dreamlike, maybe even a bit surreal. These effects gently complement the romantic mood of the wedding photographs. An outdoor nature scene, shot in infrared, gives off a winterland fantasy feel, complete with “snow-draped” trees and fluffy white greenery. Similarly, an infrared wedding portrait produces elegant, fine skin tones and curious, almost translucent eye color adaptations.

Since infrared wedding photography requires extreme technical know-how and can be extremely difficult to shoot – even under the best conditions, there are few Filipino wedding photographers who have mastered this art form.

Wedding photography preserves the memories and offers a sentimental glimpse of the couple’s most heartfelt journey. By using infrared photography, Filipino wedding photographers are able capture every moment of your wedding in a unique and artistic way.

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