AA-2026-C879C1
On the image
Some photographers in the 1970s believed that capturing the invisible spectrum of light would reveal a deeper truth about nature. They used infrared film, which translated green foliage into vibrant reds and purples, turning a snowy landscape into something otherworldly. The idea was to see beyond the obvious, perhaps to unlock cosmic secrets, or at least get a cool picture for the living room.
This particular photographer aimed their advanced technology at a winter scene, where a snow-dusted valley and a dark river offered a canvas for this new visual language. The bare trees and white ground, usually markers of winter dormancy, became a stage for bold colour shifts that bypassed the normal rules of perception. It was a time when bending reality through chemical processes was considered cutting edge.
The resulting image suggests that while science can unveil hidden aspects of the world, sometimes what it reveals is simply a very different colour scheme. It's a testament to an era when artistic interpretation often meant finding new ways to make familiar things look slightly unsettling, then confidently presenting it as profound.
The historian's note
This image is a representative example of colour infrared photography from the 1970s, characterised by its distinctive false-colour rendition. Originally developed for military aerial reconnaissance to detect camouflaged targets by their infrared reflectance, this film type became popular with artists and experimental photographers for its unique aesthetic.
Infrared reversal films rendered chlorophyll-rich vegetation in shades of red, while water bodies often appeared dark or purple, and snow remained white or gained a purple cast depending on conditions. This technique allowed photographers to interpret landscapes in a non-traditional way, challenging conventional perceptions of colour and reality, aligning with the psychedelic and experimental artistic movements of the era.
The photograph depicts a snow-covered winter landscape, featuring bare deciduous trees and a visible body of water, likely a river or stream, winding through a valley or gorge. The technique transforms the natural scene into an abstract, almost surreal environment, reflecting the period's interest in altering visual perception.
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Winter Valley with Infrared Effect, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-C879C1. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/winter-valley-with-infrared-effect-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026C879C1,
title = {Winter Valley with Infrared Effect, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-C879C1},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/winter-valley-with-infrared-effect-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Winter Valley with Infrared Effect, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-C879C1 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/winter-valley-with-infrared-effect-1970s ER -
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