The visible light spectrum – the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can see – typically ranges from 400 nanometre (nm) to 700nm. This range is what humans perceive as different colours.

BEYOND THE NAKED EYE

Infrared light has a longer wavelength and is invisible to the human eye.

Gardens by the Bay is home to the futuristic-looking Supertrees – vertical gardens, with the tallest reaching the height of a 16-storey building and housing an observatory.

By replacing an infrared cut-off filter – which blocks infrared light from reaching the camera sensor – with a clear filter, the sensor becomes able to capture infrared light. This process is known as a full-spectrum conversion. (Disclaimer: modifying your camera this way will void its warranty.)

ST executive photojournalist Ong Wee Jin modifying a Canon RP digital camera to allow infrared light to reach the camera sensor while watching a tutorial video. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ONG WEE JIN
Mr Ong holding the Canon RP camera sensor with the infrared cut-off filter attached. The filter is removed and replaced with a clear one. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ONG WEE JIN

By adding the appropriate filters, the camera sensor can capture infrared light and render it as visible colour – quite literally allowing the photographer to see the world in a different light. I was excited by the visual possibilities.

A man and a child using stepping stones to cross the Kallang River at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, next to a yellow flame tree.

I was interested in a combination of filters that loosely emulates the effects of Kodak Aerochrome, a colour infrared film discontinued in 2009.

Cyclists navigating a scenic, tree-lined Mandai Road, where rows of rain trees form a canopy archway. Gazetted as a heritage road in 2006, that stretch is part of efforts to conserve Singapore’s unique tree-scapes.

That film was developed with military applications in mind and was effective at detecting camouflage, which appeared green, while natural foliage was rendered red or pink because they reflected infrared light differently.

Bukit Canberra, a 12ha integrated sports, community and lifestyle hub next to Sembawang MRT station. Designed as a living building, it aims to restore nature and enhance biodiversity.
Buildings seen from Mount Faber.
The Arena @ Keat Hong in Choa Chu Kang.
The rooftop garden of the carpark at Skyville @ Dawson.

Modified camera in hand, I began exploring – searching for places that would look striking in red. Each time I looked through the lens, I was surprised all over again.

Though infrared photography was new to me, I found that the same principles of regular photography still applied. The light was important, and blue skies made all the difference.

People watching the sunset beneath a Bornean ru tree at Upper Seletar Reservoir.
A jogger running past Swan Lake at Botanic Gardens.
Visitors exploring the Bonsai Garden at the Chinese Garden.
A tranquil sunset over Upper Seletar Reservoir.

Familiar places took on a surreal quality, while the people in them remained unchanged.

Cyclists making their way through Lakeside Garden.
Visitors at the Singapore Botanic Gardens viewing a pulai basong tree, designated as a heritage tree. According to the National Parks Board, it is a significant remnant of a 19-century swamp forest that once lined the western boundary of the Gardens.

While white clothing remained unchanged, darker outfits appeared in varying shades of red. It was as if everyone were celebrating National Day, every day.

Visitors admiring the floral display at Gardens by the Bay.
Park-goers taking photographs at Lakeside Garden.
A man and two children walking past St Andrew’s Cathedral.
Visitors splashing around Adventure Cove Waterpark in Sentosa, as seen from a cable car.
A man hunched over, listening to his radio at Upper Seletar Reservoir.
People walking past the National Museum of Singapore.
A row of Singapore flags in Hougang.