Credit: Gavin Spooner
The 2024 “Life in Another Light” infrared photography contest by Kolari Vision proves that there’s still plenty of room for innovation in photography. With a record number of entries this year, photographers worldwide are discovering new ways to show us familiar scenes in unfamiliar colors.
Gavin Spooner’s winning shot captures a mountain landscape that looks like something from another planet – the vegetation glows in vibrant magenta while snow-capped peaks remain crisp and white in the background. It’s the kind of photo that makes you stop scrolling and wonder how it was taken.
But this infrared photography contest isn’t just about pretty pictures. The technical skill needed to nail these shots is seriously impressive. Photographers have to really understand how infrared light behaves and how to work with specialized equipment to get results like these. Troy Casswell’s botanical studies, for example, make ordinary plants look like they’re glowing from within – something you’d never see with regular photography.
What’s really cool is how this contest has grown since it started back in 2019. Back then, infrared photography was mostly a niche thing that gear heads and tech-savvy photographers messed around with. Now? Hollywood’s paying attention. The cinematographers behind Dune: Part II actually borrowed some of these infrared techniques to create those otherworldly desert scenes.
The contest has also sparked interest in experimental photography among amateur photographers. More people are trying out infrared photography, leading to an explosion of creative approaches. Some photographers are combining infrared with traditional techniques, while others are pushing the boundaries with completely new methods.
This year’s entries covered everything from urban landscapes that look like they’re covered in snow to forests that seem to be straight out of a fantasy movie. The judges had a tough time picking winners because the overall quality of submissions has shot up dramatically.
Equipment manufacturers are taking notice too. There’s been an uptick in companies developing more accessible infrared photography gear, making it easier for newcomers to try out these techniques without breaking the bank.
Looking ahead, this infrared photography contest is likely to keep growing. As more photographers discover what’s possible when you venture beyond visible light, we’re bound to see even more innovative approaches. The influence is already spreading beyond still photography into video, special effects, and even scientific imaging.
The best part? This is just the beginning. As technology improves and more photographers experiment with infrared, we’re likely to see even more groundbreaking work in future contests. The line between traditional and experimental photography is getting blurrier, and that’s making photography as a whole more interesting.
Want to see more? Head over to Kolari Vision’s website to check out the full gallery of winning images. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or just someone who appreciates seeing the world in a different light, these photos will definitely make you look twice.
The contest shows us that even in 2024, there are still new ways to capture the world around us – we just need to be willing to look beyond what our eyes can naturally see.
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