Infrared photography sounds like a secret spy technique, but it’s actually an amazing way to see the world through a whole new lens—literally! Recently a pilgrim with advanced photography skills captured previously unseen parts of the temple with her special lens.
This cool photography style captures light from the infrared spectrum, which is invisible to the naked eye. Here’s how it works: normal cameras capture the light you and I see every day, but infrared cameras use special filters to block visible light and only capture infrared light. This results in stunning photos with a surreal, dreamlike quality. Trees and grass turn snowy white giving our gardens the look of a deep winter in Norway. Skies can appear dark and foreboding, and everything looks just a bit magical.
Infrared photography has some practical uses too! It’s a handy tool in fields like environmental studies to monitor vegetation health, as healthy greenery reflects more infrared than the unhealthy or dead ones. (our trees are vibrant and robust, and thus the brilliant white look). Art historians use it to see underlayers of paint in old masterpieces to discover hidden secrets. Whether it’s for artistic expression or scientific investigation, infrared photography opens up a hidden world of unseen beauty and practical discoveries. It certainly gives a fresh look at Siva’s Sacred Gardens.
“AUM”!
How beautiful! I am excited to return to the Temple this year! Aum Shanti