Into the Blue: Exploring UV + IR Photography

Infrared (IR) photography doesn’t always have to mean glowing white trees and deep black skies. The TruColor UV Blue IR 395 / 870 opens the door to a completely different look — one that blends ultraviolet (UV), blue visible (VIS) light and IR into surreal, cinematic images packed with electric tones and dramatic contrast.

Using a specially converted IR camera, this filter creates vibrant blue skies, glowing foliage and dreamlike color separation that simply can’t be captured with traditional photography.

What Makes the UV Blue IR 395 / 870 Unique?
The TruColor UV Blue IR 395 / 870 is designed to pass portions of UV light, blue VIS wavelengths and IR light while blocking much of the standard VIS spectrum. The result is a signature “super blue” IR effect that produces bold artistic color palettes straight out of camera.

Unlike traditional IR filters that lean heavily into monochrome or false-color red tones, this filter creates:

• Deep saturated blues
• Bright glowing vegetation
• Dramatic sky separation
• High-contrast landscapes
• Futuristic, cinematic color rendering

This filter is especially popular among photographers looking for a more experimental, artistic IR style.

What You Need to Use This Filter
The TruColor UV Blue IR 395 / 870 requires a full-spectrum or IR converted camera. It will not function properly on a standard stock camera because factory IR-cut filters block the infrared wavelengths needed for the effect.

For best results:

• Use a full-spectrum converted mirrorless or DSLR camera
• Shoot in bright daylight
• Capture RAW images for maximum editing flexibility
• Set a custom white balance
• Experiment with channel swapping during post-processing

Wide outdoor scenes, lakes, forests, architecture and dramatic clouds tend to produce the most striking results.

Before & After: Visible Light vs UV Blue IR 395 / 870
Below is an example of how an ordinary scene can transform when photographed using the TruColor UV Blue IR 395 / 870 filter on an IR-converted camera.

Standard Visible Light Image: A normal visible-light scene appears natural and balanced, with realistic greens, blues and neutral tones.

UV Blue IR 395 / 870 Effect: With the filter installed on a converted camera, the same scene transforms into a surreal IR landscape with glowing foliage, rich blue skies and dramatic tonal separation.

How to Shoot with the UV Blue IR 395 / 870
Because this filter captures a unique mix of wavelengths, technique matters.

1. Shoot Midday: Bright sunlight produces the strongest IR response and enhances foliage glow.
2. Use Custom White Balance: Setting a custom white balance in-camera helps control overly warm or magenta tones and gives cleaner blues.
3. Shoot RAW: RAW files preserve the full color data needed for channel swaps and advanced IR editing.
4. Experiment in Post: Many photographers swap red and blue channels in editing software to refine sky color and create the signature blue IR appearance.

Why Photographers Love This Filter
​The TruColor UV Blue IR 395 / 870 offers a look that stands apart from traditional infrared photography. It combines the dreamlike qualities of IR with vibrant blue color rendering for images that feel almost otherworldly.

Benefits include:

• Unique artistic color palettes
• Strong foliage glow effects
• Dramatic skies and cloud contrast
• Creative infrared color separation
• Cinematic landscape rendering
• Ideal for experimental fine art photography

Push Beyond Traditional Infrared
If you already own an IR-converted camera and want to explore something more creative than standard IR photography, the TruColor UV Blue IR 395 / 870 delivers an entirely new visual experience. From glowing landscapes to surreal urban scenes, this filter transforms ordinary light into bold, artistic imagery that immediately stands out.