BeyondVisible
Ultraviolet, Infrared and Luminescence Photography

Shane Elen


The application of film based luminescence, reflected ultraviolet and infrared photography has always been a bit of a tedious task but this has been greatly simplified through digital photography. While there are several interesting sites that discuss UV and IR techniques, this site provides some unique contributions to the field in application, equipment data and modifications. Included is a unique gemological forensic application, presenting the first ever reported and published images of pearls using reflected-ultraviolet photography (2006 Gem Research Conference). Future additions to the site will also include some artistic as well as scientific application.

Natural and ultraviolet images of a Sunflower using a Dedicated UV modified SB-14 flash (SB-140 clone) and UV-Nikkor

Natural & Ultraviolet image - Nikon D70, UV-Nikkor 105mm f4.5 and a Dedicated UV Enhanced SB-14 (Stage III)

Background
Since 1978 I have specialized in solid-state materials characterization through the application of microscopy and spectrometry. This involved working with some unique materials, advanced imaging and spectrometry techniques, some of which will be presented on this site (soon). Since the majority of my work has involved characterizing material features beyond visible perception, beyondvisible.com seemed an appropriate domain name.

  • NEW RGB Spectral Sensitivity Curves: Nikon D70, D40, D200, D200UVIR
    • 01/04/10 - ongoing

  • NEW DSLR ICF (Internal Cut Filter) Transmission Curves
    • 05/10/09 - updated

  • Extremely Brief Overview of Luminescence, Reflected Ultraviolet and Infrared, Digital Photography
    • 01/07/07 - ongoing

    Reflected Ultraviolet Schematic
    		 Fluorescence Schematic
    		 Reflected Infrared Schematic

  • Luminescence, Reflected-Infrared and Reflected-Ultraviolet Digital Photography: Gemological Applications (2006 Gem Research Conference)

    • Visible and ultraviolet images of a natural yellow and treated yellow colour pearl
    Reflectance spectra along with visible and ultraviolet images of natural colour yellow and treated colour yellow pearls    		 Reflectance spectra of natural black and treated black pearl
    Reflectance spectra of natural colour black and treated colour black pearls exhibiting different infrared reflectance properties

    Natural color gems and their treated color counterparts often exhibit a similar reflectance in the visible region of the spectrum, but may show a distinct difference in the ultraviolet or infrared region. Reflected UV and IR photographic techniques exploit these differences. The observation of fluorescence color or zoning is also often important in identifying natural and synthetic gemstones, as well as color treatments. This poster presentation demonstrates the possible application of these specialized digital photography techniques to identify natural and treated colour pearls, however, they may be applicable to other gem materials.

  • Dealing with the Infrared Contamination of Ultraviolet Images
    • Updated 07/30/07

    Dandelion flower reflectance spectra
    Dandelion flower reflectance spectra
    		 Infrared free ultraviolet image
    Infrared free ultraviolet image
    		 Infrared contaminated ultraviolet image
    Infrared contaminated ultraviolet image
    		 Infrared image
    Infrared image

  • Monochromatic Ultraviolet & Infrared Testing of the Nikon D70
    • Updated 04/07/07

    400nm
    400nm response     		350nm
    350nm response

  • Monochromatic Ultraviolet & Infrared Testing of the Fuji S3Pro
    • New 04/06/07

    400nm
    400nm response     		350nm
    350nm response

  • Spectral transmission characteristics of UV and IR filters - measured, not theoretical data
    • Updated 09/08/07 - Baader Venus Filter & UVIR cut filter

    Tiffen 18A and Schott BG38

  • Nikon SB-140 UV IR clone: A UV enhanced Nikon SB-14 Speedlight
    • 01/26/07

    Dedicated UV, Modified UV (Nikon SB-140 clone) and Standard SB-14

    (Left to right) Dedicated UV Enhanced Nikon SB-14 (Stage III), UV Enhanced Nikon SB-14 (Stage II - Nikon SB-140 clone) and standard Nikon SB-14

  • Nikon SW-5UV & SW-5IR clones: Alternative Flash Adapters for the Nikon SB-140 or UV Enhanced Nikon SB-14 Speedlight
    • 01/21/07

    UV modified Nikon SW-5 adapter
    UV modified Nikon SW-5 adapter - SW-5UV ultraviolet adapter clone
    		 UV Enhanced SB-14 (Stage II - Nikon SB-140 clone) fitted with an SW-5UV ultraviolet adapter clone
    UV Enhanced SB-14 (Stage II - Nikon SB-140 clone) fitted with an SW-5UV ultraviolet adapter clone

  • UV enhanced Vivitar 285/285HV and 283
    • 01/21/07

    Vivitar 285HV modified for infrared (left) and ultraviolet (right)
    Vivitar 285HV modified for infrared (left) and ultraviolet (right).

  • I have a limited number of ultraviolet and infrared modified flashes and adapters available here

    • Vivitar 285HV, SB-14 (SB-140 clone) and Sunpak 622 modified for infrared and ultraviolet
    Vivitar 285HV (left), SB-14 (SB-140 clone) (center) and Sunpak 622 (right).

  • Information Links - Ultraviolet, Infrared and Luminescence

    • In progress
  • Emission spectra of some common UV and IR light sources

  • Contact Author

    • Legal Disclaimer
    The content of these pages are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily conform with others in the industry.

    Copyright Information
    No images, drawings or text contained in this site may be reproduced without the permission of the author, however feel free to provide a direct link from your website. Thank you.

    Updated Jan 9th, 2012