The same cloud in UV and IR
Clouds in Infrared and Ultraviolet – Seeing the Sky Differently
When we look up at the sky, we think we’re seeing “everything”. But of course, we’re only seeing a tiny slice of the electromagnetic spectrum — visible light.
With the right filters and camera modifications, clouds become completely different subjects in infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) photography.
And if you enjoy science, sailing, or simply understanding the weather properly, this is fascinating territory.
☁️ Infrared (IR) – The Dramatic Sky
What happens to clouds?
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Blue sky becomes very dark (because Rayleigh scattering is reduced in IR)
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White clouds become brilliant and luminous
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Water vapour absorbs differently
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High-altitude clouds stand out dramatically
The result?
A sky that looks almost stormy — even on a pleasant day.
For sailing photography (and yes, this matters when filming at Upper Thames SC), IR can:
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Enhance definition of cloud structures
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Reveal moisture differences
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Make otherwise flat skies look powerful
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Highlight developing cumulonimbus before the eye really notices contrast
It’s almost like turning up the drama slider on the atmosphere.
🌤️ Ultraviolet (UV) – The Scientific Sky
Lenses, sensors and filters all behave differently in UV, and many modern lenses block UV entirely.
But when you capture it:
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Sky brightness changes significantly
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Haze becomes more apparent
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High-altitude scattering increases
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Thin cloud layers can show structure invisible in visible light
UV is particularly interesting for:
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Studying atmospheric clarity
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Examining pollution or aerosol effects
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Looking at subtle cloud layers
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Comparing scattering effects predicted by physics
If you teach GCSE or A-Level Physics, this is Rayleigh scattering in action — not just in a textbook, but in the sky above your head.
🌦 Why This Matters
For photographers:
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Creative impact
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Unique landscape results
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Weather storytelling
For sailors:
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Better awareness of cloud development
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Spotting high thin layers before wind shifts
For science students:
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Real-world electromagnetic spectrum applications
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Scattering theory made visible
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Atmosphere physics you can photograph
My Take
Having used multispectral cameras for science and sailing content, I’m always struck by how much information we ignore simply because our eyes can’t see it.
Clouds aren’t just white blobs.
They are complex optical phenomena interacting with wavelength, particle size, humidity, and solar angle.
And with IR or UV?
They tell a completely different story.
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