Fernley photographer shoots surreal infrared images

Photographer Kathy Burks' uses infrared photos to capture unusual landscapes.

Appearing as black and white photography the images are shot with a special filter on her digital camera to enhance and pick up the light rays unseen to the human eye.

The light captured in this type of photography is called "near infrared" and does not produce heat which can be detected by other processes. In this instance the chlorophyll in plants absorbs the visible light and reflects infrared light. Various degrees of this absorption causes the plants to reflect the light at different levels creating a snowy white or a feathery appearance - thus the oftentimes surreal effect. Water shots have a luminescent quality that appeals to Burks.

Burks, a retired professional educator, developed a passion for photography at an early age.

"I started taking pictures with a Brownie camera and film." As a child her parents couldn't buy enough film to keep up with her demand. I'd go around with an empty camera and shoot pictures," Burks said.

Now, with two digital Nikon SLRs Burks wondered what to do with the extra camera.

"I took a class in Photoshop at TMCC. There, someone told me I could get the camera converted to shoot infrared. I started doing that and fell in love with it," Burks said.

Her work, both the infrared and a kaleidoscope of iridescent-colored abstracts can be seen at her Website, www.KBurksphotography.com. For more information, contact KBurksphotography@hotmail.com or leave a message at 775-575-9225.