Red Flash lighting with wildlife

Thekillerqueen · 02-19-2016, 10:58 AM

Hello my wonderful gurus!

I want to start taking some low light wildlife photos and know that a lot of animals such as Badgers cannot see red light. Would i get away with putting red plastic or sellophane over my external Argus flash, or are there better DIY alternatives ?

enoeske · 02-19-2016, 11:15 AM

What benefit would you get from flashing red light at an animal?

Thekillerqueen · 02-19-2016, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by enoeske

What benefit would you get from flashing red light at an animal?

The fact that white flash will scare the animal so it will run and cause a blurred photo. Red light is unseen so they wont get startled and you can take good photos with the benefit of light.

enoeske · 02-19-2016, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by Thekillerqueen

The fact that white flash will scare the animal so it will run and cause a blurred photo. Red light is unseen so they wont get startled and you can take good photos with the benefit of light.

But your light will be red. That probably won't make a good photo.

Thekillerqueen · 02-19-2016, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by enoeske

But your light will be red. That probably won't make a good photo.

Which is why i am asking the question

. There are ways of doing it so that it so that it doesn't show as red light on the photos, i am just trying to find the best way. I have seen a lot of night time photos that have used red light and red flashes and the photos (unedited) show up as normal flash lighting (no hint of red).

I think it depends on what you use to achieve the red light whether its a red light or a red flash. Which is again why i have asked the question

**Digitalis** · 02-23-2016, 08:38 PM - **1 Like**

You are thinking of infared flash, which is commonly used in camera traps, night vision surveillance and photography equipment. Most terrestrial animals can't see any further into the infrared* than we can. You would also need a camera that is sensitive to IR, off the shelf most cameras are designed to be as insensitive to IR as possible.

Originally posted by Thekillerqueen

Would i get away with putting red plastic or sellophane over my external Argus flash

no, you will just get red images, and you will still spook the animals.

Originally posted by Thekillerqueen

I have seen a lot of night time photos that have used red light and red flashes and the photos (unedited) show up as normal flash lighting (no hint of red).

That is because they were shot in infrared and converted to B&W. Some trap cameras do use visible light, but they are inherently disruptive to wildlife and should be banned.

*Certain Lizards, insects,crustaceans,fish and birds have hyperspectral vision that allows them to perceive the polarization of light and see wavelengths that are invisible to us.

Thekillerqueen · 02-24-2016, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

You are thinking of infared flash, which is commonly used in camera traps, night vision surveillance and photography equipment. Most terrestrial animals can't see any further into the infrared* than we can. You would also need a camera that is sensitive to IR, off the shelf most cameras are designed to be as insensitive to IR as possible.

no, you will just get red images, and you will still spook the animals.

That is because they were shot in infrared and converted to B&W. Some trap cameras do use visible light, but they are inherently disruptive to wildlife and should be banned.

*Certain Lizards, insects,crustaceans,fish and birds have hyperspectral vision that allows them to perceive the polarization of light and see wavelengths that are invisible to us.

Thank you

02-19-2016, 10:58 AM	#1
Thekillerqueen New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 20	Red Flash lighting with wildlife Hello my wonderful gurus! I want to start taking some low light wildlife photos and know that a lot of animals such as Badgers cannot see red light. Would i get away with putting red plastic or sellophane over my external Argus flash, or are there better DIY alternatives ?

02-23-2016, 08:38 PM - 1 Like	#6
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	You are thinking of infared flash, which is commonly used in camera traps, night vision surveillance and photography equipment. Most terrestrial animals can't see any further into the infrared* than we can. You would also need a camera that is sensitive to IR, off the shelf most cameras are designed to be as insensitive to IR as possible. Originally posted by Thekillerqueen Would i get away with putting red plastic or sellophane over my external Argus flash no, you will just get red images, and you will still spook the animals. Originally posted by Thekillerqueen I have seen a lot of night time photos that have used red light and red flashes and the photos (unedited) show up as normal flash lighting (no hint of red). That is because they were shot in infrared and converted to B&W. Some trap cameras do use visible light, but they are inherently disruptive to wildlife and should be banned. Certain Lizards, insects,crustaceans,fish and birds have hyperspectral vision that allows them to perceive the polarization of light and see wavelengths that are invisible to us. Last edited by Digitalis; 02-23-2016 at 08:57 PM.*

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02-19-2016, 11:15 AM	#2
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	What benefit would you get from flashing red light at an animal?

02-19-2016, 11:35 AM	#3
Thekillerqueen New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 20 Original Poster	Originally posted by enoeske What benefit would you get from flashing red light at an animal? The fact that white flash will scare the animal so it will run and cause a blurred photo. Red light is unseen so they wont get startled and you can take good photos with the benefit of light.

02-19-2016, 11:42 AM	#4
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by Thekillerqueen The fact that white flash will scare the animal so it will run and cause a blurred photo. Red light is unseen so they wont get startled and you can take good photos with the benefit of light. But your light will be red. That probably won't make a good photo.

02-19-2016, 11:51 AM	#5
Thekillerqueen New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 20 Original Poster	Originally posted by enoeske But your light will be red. That probably won't make a good photo. Which is why i am asking the question . There are ways of doing it so that it so that it doesn't show as red light on the photos, i am just trying to find the best way. I have seen a lot of night time photos that have used red light and red flashes and the photos (unedited) show up as normal flash lighting (no hint of red). I think it depends on what you use to achieve the red light whether its a red light or a red flash. Which is again why i have asked the question

02-24-2016, 06:43 AM	#7
Thekillerqueen New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 20 Original Poster	Originally posted by Digitalis You are thinking of infared flash, which is commonly used in camera traps, night vision surveillance and photography equipment. Most terrestrial animals can't see any further into the infrared* than we can. You would also need a camera that is sensitive to IR, off the shelf most cameras are designed to be as insensitive to IR as possible. no, you will just get red images, and you will still spook the animals. That is because they were shot in infrared and converted to B&W. Some trap cameras do use visible light, but they are inherently disruptive to wildlife and should be banned. *Certain Lizards, insects,crustaceans,fish and birds have hyperspectral vision that allows them to perceive the polarization of light and see wavelengths that are invisible to us. Thank you