Ultraviolet Photography

So, what even is UV photography?

Basically, it’s taking photos of light that we can’t see. Ultraviolet light sits just outside the visible spectrum (past violet), so when you shoot in UV, you’re capturing how objects reflect or react to that invisible light. That could mean flowers showing weird patterns that only insects normally see, or skin textures popping in ways you didn’t expect. It’s like unlocking a hidden version of reality that’s always been there—just out of sight.

Gear you will need

Okay, real talk: you can’t just pick up your everyday camera and go out shooting UV. You need some specific gear because most cameras are designed to block ultraviolet light. So here’s what you’re working with:

Camera: You’ll need one that’s either already sensitive to UV (some older models work decently), or have one modified to remove its internal UV/IR blocking filter.

Lens: Not all lenses let UV light through. Some older manual focus lenses are better for this, since many modern lenses have coatings that block UV. Weirdly, cheaper can be better here.

Filter: You’ll need a UV-pass filter (like the Baader-U). It’s basically the opposite of a UV filter you might already own. Instead of blocking UV, it blocks visible and infrared light and only lets UV in. It’s dark and not cheap, but it’s essential.

Light source: If you’re shooting outdoors, the sun gives off UV naturally, so you’re good. Indoors or at night, you’ll need a UV light or blacklight to light your subject.

How to actually shoot

This part takes some trial and error.

1. Focus in visible lightUV light’s tricky, and it’s hard to focus with it, especially since you can’t really see what you’re getting. So, focus your shot first in normal light, then lock it in before you add the UV filter (because once you do, the viewfinder pretty much goes dark).

2. Use a tripodShutter speeds are gonna be loooong. Like several seconds long. So yeah, definitely need a tripod. Bonus points for a remote shutter or using a timer to avoid camera shake.

3. Play around and experimentThere’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Try photographing flowers, fruit, fabrics, skin—anything. Some things reflect UV light, others absorb it completely. You won’t know what’s gonna work until you try.

What kind of photos do you get?

The look is super dreamy and kind of eerie. Flowers sometimes reveal patterns that bees use to navigate. Paint, plastic, or fabrics can do weird stuff. The tones are usually kind of soft and bluish-purple, with a lot of mystery baked in.

You’ll get things like:

Flowers with “hidden” designs, skin with extra texture and contrast (fun but also mildly creepy), everyday objects looking like they’re from another planet