IR or Infrared Photography

Fujifilm has announced a new camera that is sensitive to the infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of light. The new Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro UVIR as it takes the original design of the FinePix S3 Pro DSLR and makes modifications that allow the new DSLR camera to capture light at the UV and IR wavelengths beyond that which is visible to the naked human eye. Fujifilm removed the previous filter from the design and replaced it with a new glass protection filter. The new UV/IR sensitive camera can allow one to view light at ultraviolet and infrared optical wavelength spectrums.

Some wedding photographers are starting to use infrared photography for the brides as something different and new.

I know a forensic police photographer that uses a film camera sensitive to the infrared and ultraviolet spectrum. The police use these cameras to "see" things at crime scenes that the human eye can not see in the normal spectrum of light. Blood that is not visible to the naked eye in visible light shows up very well under the ultraviolet spectrum. So for a crime scene the ultraviolet camera will spot blood more easily that a normal color spectrum camera. Law enforcement agencies have long used ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) photography for many years to uncover evidence not easily seen by the human eye, such as gun powder residue and blood stains.

This is also useful for recovering altered, burned or obliterated writing. IR photography is also used in nighttime police and military surveillance. This IR/UV system is also useful for uncovering forged documents. An ability to reveal the formerly unseen is why technical professionals in many fields ranging from law enforcement, military surveillance, medical research, art history, and biology have long used UV and IR photography to observe and discover crucial facts that would normally be hidden for the normal human eye. The new Fuji camera will make this so much more simple to use instead of having to develop film.
For more information and some pictures that the camera can take you can see them here: http://www.imaging-resource.com/EVENTS/PKNA06/1155139201.html

Digital cameras are being used for forensic police procedures such as collecting fingerprint evidence has gained acceptance. Digital cameras operate much like the traditional cameras except that instead of images being transferred to film, they are stored on a PC hard drive. Lasers and forensic UV/IR light sources allows the camera to capture a fluorescent fingerprint image. Finger prints can then be sent to the FBI or a statewide criminal fingerprint database - in an hour or so instead of the eight hours required using conventional means. "You get a better quality fingerprint image and get it into the system quickly to catch suspects faster, cutting crime and making citizens happy," Reis a police photographer in Southern California says.

Reis primarily uses his camera to take pictures of fingerprints collected by traditional lifting methods. With conventional black powder lifts, the camera provides clarity and detail allowing print enhancement capabilities and enlargement. Crime scene pictures have been taken directly of fingerprints. The police department uses a scanner to input fingerprint images lifted from objects with tape. "The lift tape picks up a lot of stray powder, surface texture and other background material," Reis says. "Photographing the print with the camera before making the lift often provides a cleaner print to work with."The camera brings images directly into the computer for immediate viewing, networking from one person to another and digital enhancement. Distracting backgrounds can be virtually eliminated in the computer, making fingerprints easier to view.The camera is connected to the computer and prepares fingerprint evidence using Adobe Photoshop software. Source: Duenow.com

Technology can be wonderful and a useful servant.