As a professional or amateur in the field of photography, knowing the newest technologies as well as the most advanced technologies can make all the difference in your creative and professional work. Whether you are a wedding photographer or living our your dream by shooting your own independent film, understanding thermal imaging can make all the difference.
1. What is Thermal Imaging?
To most people, the term “thermal imaging” sounds like something out of Star-Trek, or something that they use for covert military operations. However, it is a technology that everyone could use to improve their photography and camera work.
- Focused light: special camera lenses pull the infrared light that is emitted by the objects you’re aiming for. This focused light is then scanned by infrared detector elements.
- Detector elements: These elements that scan the focused light create detailed temperature patterns called thermograms that are obtained from thousands of different viewpoints.
- Speed: most thermal-imaging devices sense temperatures from -4 oF to 3,600 oF and can scan at a rate of 30 times per second!
2. Different Technologies = Different Results
So where does that put you as a photographer or filmmaker? What technology do you need to use? Here are the two different kinds:
- Uncooled: These are the less expensive and are much more common for photographers. The system is quiet and scans the light at room temperature. This kind of technology is great for more rugged use if you’re going to be shooting on uneven terrain or taking lots of pictures at night.
- Cryogenically cooled: This more expensive and more advanced technology may not be for the rookies, but for those wanting to see a difference as small as 0.2 oF from over 1,000 ft away!
3. Stabilization is Key
Thermal technology is great for those working in near-dark conditions or in conditions with no ambient light. Night time wedding pictures on the beach and getting those perfect shots with no moonlight require a good stabilizing tool to make sure that the precision that comes with thermal imaging is matched by a steady hand.
0.2 oF from over 1,000 ft away deserves tools like the Gopro stabilizer that can match your cinema quality thermal imaging with 3-Axis stabilization. Whether you are getting that perfect shot of the couple or making sure that your first full-length feature doesn’t look like a Cloverfield rip off, stabilization will make all the difference!
Check out the difference that the different thermal imaging technology and sure stabilization can make for your professional career and creative pursuits by visiting the DSLRPros YouTube Channel!
