How to shoot UV Fluorescence photos of flowers | Macro Photography Tutorial

[@filmcanaryislandsmorocco7224]

Thanks for this video. If I understand correctly, the phosphorescence is converting the UV back into the visible spectrum, so you can use a regular camera, not a full spectrum sensor. I’ve been working many years in IR, and now interested on the other side!

[@Adaptalux]

Yes that's it. The Uav wavelengths are re-emitted as visible light so you can take a long exposure.

[@jlblohm1]

So a regular old UV bulb won’t work, what’s the difference between the arms you have and something that can be purchased off of amazon? Can I somehow rig up a tiny uv bulb? (I’d love to buy adaptalux .... maybe someday lol)

[@Adaptalux]

Hi Jenn, the key is a bandpass filter in the end of the arm that blocks all of the Visible light created by the LED, leaving only UV. Generic UV LEDs like those in torches etc still let off a lot of visible light (blues and violets) which will overpower the fluorescence of the subject when it's something as subtle as this.

[@PhillipMcCallum]

UV light and rocks and gems Great video thank you

[@Adaptalux]

It's on the list!

[@MWTH37]

Ben one of the things I most admire about you is how you love to experiment with different types of Technics allot like myself, Thanks again for sharing and showing us the Technics. Stay Safe my friend

[@Adaptalux]

Thanks Michael, i'm glad you're enjoying my travels through the world of macro techniques! Same to you, stay safe.

[@susieboard3230]

Very interesting effect, would love to try it one day....my brother has a couple of uv lights so me may get to play together with them....

[@yoziwa123]

Does the camera require any special filters to take UV photographs? Or just any DSLR will do?

[@Adaptalux]

Any DLSR will be able to capture UVIVF images without any extra filters or modifications, it's just a long exposure to capture the normal visible light created by the flower.

[@evaiversen1338]

The three small uv lamps you use. I can't find anywhere, maybe you or others can give me a link where I can buy them.

[@Adaptalux]

adaptalux.com/product/macro-photography-led-starter-pack-uv/

[@paulholliday8172]

awesome tutorial and infoe. Thank you. Great work.

[@Adaptalux]

Glad you found it useful Paul, thanks for watching!

[@ElijahDanielleFarrakhan]

Hello, is that the Nikon 5600? If so, may I ask which lenses you're using? Beautiful photos by the way!

[@jefflucas_life]

I want to UV the ☀️ for solar, can you recommend UV passband for 77mm DSLR EF lens?

[@Adaptalux]

We don't use lens filters for UVIVF photography so it's not something we can recommend, perhaps others will have some insight for you.

[@gertpalm811]

Does it make any difference if I use uv-light 365nm or 390nm? Which wave length does Adapalux use? Greetings from Sweden

[@Adaptalux]

Ours have a peak wavelength of 330nm. The further from the visible spectrum you can get, the less visible light you will need to filter out of your light and therefore the more UV is left. Generally speaking, the shorter the wavelength the better.

[@orionm4268]

Doesn't uv light focus differently compared to visable light? Similar to infrared light being invisable except its band being 700nm and above where ultraviolet would be 400 and below

[@Adaptalux]

It's difficult to focus, but only because this technique requires total darkness. Use manual focus and focus on the subject before turning out the lights.

[@GrzegorzBaranArt]

Wondering, can UV light, especially a flash based, can damage camera sensor? Asking since this is the light with much shorter wave length and higher energy?

[@Adaptalux]

When doing UVIVF, there is no modification to the camera so the UV protective coatings on the lens and sensor don't let UV light pass through to the sensor. No chance of damage. I can't speak for the risks involved when converting a camera to be full-spectrum, but that is not required for this kind of UV photography.

[@GrzegorzBaranArt]

@@Adaptalux Thank you, can you please tell me what if I use microscope objectives wyth Raynox DCR-150 on it? Is camera's sensor still safe and wont get damaged, especially in long exposure times? Do these Adaptalux arms work in 365nm only?

[@martinamargauxcozzi4024]

Thank you for this tutorial! It looks amazing! How would you adapt the technique for video? Do you think it's possible without adding glowing substances? thanks in advance :)

[@Adaptalux]

Hi Martina. The ability to capture this on video will be determined by how fluorescent your subject is. For something like our flowers, you will struggle to capture it without a long exposure or high power flash, meaning video is tricky! You either need to increase the amount of UV by having a more powerful source, or a more fluorescent subject. For example, UV inks and tonic water glow brightly enough for video even with only a little UV.

[@rosalinenapier9430]

I only got one UV arm. Is it still possible to get results with that or would I need more?

[@Adaptalux]

Hey Rosaline, It's definitely still possible. Depending on the subject and how close you can get the arm, but one should be enough for a subject that has a decent amount of fluorescence. As with any photography, more light just gives you more options with your settings.

[@rosalinenapier9430]

Great, thanks. Will give it a go.

[@friendlyneighborhoodsnakem3552]

So you leave the uv lights on while you make your exposure? Or no?

[@Adaptalux]

That's right Mr SnakeMan, it's a long exposure, the UV should be the only light in the room, so that the only visible light is that produced by the subject.

[@antoniawildmedia]

Thanks! This is awesome and the best tutorial I've found online so far. Any tips on how to do this for video....?! : )

[@Adaptalux]

Hi Antonia. You might struggle for video unless you are using a very fluorescent subject, like inks or tonic water. A long exposure is required to capture the light from things like plants. Your best bet would be to get a lot of UV power, lots of UV lighting arms might do the trick!

[@Mike956881]

War of the Worlds realness starting @4:22! Also a great video and cool results!

[@Adaptalux]

The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one!

[@ulriktnnesen5987]

Now I wonder what cool effects could be achieved by letting the flower carry highlighter fluid through it's veins. kinda similar to how florists create artificially colored petals.

[@Adaptalux]

I tried one of these lilies in tonic water for a while but it didn't have much of an effect, though it was only in there for a day or so, so not sure that was long enough. I think if you fed plants some fluorescent liquids for long enough it would be stunning... on the list for me to try properly!

[@johnkantar3082]

I use UV filters on all my lenses is this a disadvantage while using the Adaptalux UV lighting

[@Adaptalux]

Not at all John, the camera is just capturing visible light as normal, the UV just needs to reach the subject.

[@awesimkids7637]

Have you tried intensifying the uv lighting with mirrors behind the subject or on the periphery of the object being shot?

[@Adaptalux]

I have not, but it might work with the right setup. I would expect the mirrors to reflect the induced visible light back onto the subject, causing the effect to have less overall contrast between unique colours and brightnesses.

[@SanMiguelBulls]

I must try this, holy cow so many ideas going through my head as I write

[@Adaptalux]

There really are so many creative opportunities, especially when trying out extreme forms of light like this!

[@sisomphouviravong3711]

Very Inspiring. I love Macro Photography. Who sell those UV arm. I would like to purchase those.

[@Adaptalux]

We sell them ourselves! You can check out our products here - adaptalux.com/

[@chelseymcfarland830]

Very, very well done! Excellent results.

[@Adaptalux]

Thanks Chelsey :)

[@HowWeLandscape]

Great video, really interesting!

[@Adaptalux]

Thank you!

[@matetibold3341]

Great videos Ben. How did you found that spider in the garden at night? You knew before the shoot it's there, or you went out with a torch to find something to photograph? How long did it take to set up the scene to shoot it? (I'm totally newbie in photography :) thank you

[@Adaptalux]

We used a white lighting arm in the Control Pod to act as a focusing light/subject finder. You can then unplug or turn off the white light to take the pic!

[@0607dell]

Keep the videos coming. Thanks

[@Adaptalux]

Will do Jerry!

[@jamesonsahariah4393]

Great video. By the way love your beard style.

[@Adaptalux]

Thanks Jameson, it seems to change style every video as i neglect to get it trimmed often enough!

[@LeendertCordemans]

Where you do get that 3xlegs light? Which brand is this and how to made it?

[@Adaptalux]

It's called the Adaptalux Studio. www.adaptalux.com

[@lonniepaulson7031]

I would like to see various minerals that fluoresce under black light. Some can look very drab in white light, but when you shut off the lights and put a black light on the rock it will glow bright colors.

[@Adaptalux]

Indeed, lots of rocks and minerals have fluorescent properties, perhaps we will explore some in future UV videos, thanks for the suggestion!

[@DonKomarechka]

@@Adaptalux explore minerals that don't just fluoresce, but rather are "tenebrescent". Hackmanite and Tugtupite are great examples that are vibrantly orange under long-wave UV light! :)

[@Adaptalux]

@@DonKomarechka We will definitely take a look at getting some of those for future shoots, thanks for the heads up!

[@0607dell]

Thank for all your hard work love the video 1 & 2

[@Adaptalux]

Thanks Jerry, glad you enjoyed them :)

[@natalialaverd9859]

Hi Ben excellent video. Is your camera UV converted?

[@Adaptalux]

Hi Natalia, thanks for watching! There's no need to modify your camera for this kind of UV photography, you are only capturing the visible light created by the fluorescence, not the UV light it's self.

[@peterjackson2632]

Interesting but I am interested in how different wavelengths effect fluorescence. Minerals behave totally differently when exposed to different UV wavelength

[@Adaptalux]

I'm sure we will have the opportunity to explore some minerals in future videos! Our UV arms peak at 330nm so it will certainly be interesting to see what reacts and what doesn't.

[@plantsfromheavenbotanicala4792]

Providing settings that you are using is very helpful for those like me who want to learn, great video though :)

[@Adaptalux]

I talk a little about settings at 8:00

[@aditipundir9127]

Nice video would you like to elaborate with lens and camera settings plz

[@Adaptalux]

Hey Aditi, Most of the shots here were using 30s, ISO 250 and f8 though it very much depends on the subject you are shooting and how close you are.

[@marinaoeo]

What kind of light do you use? Can you link it bellow? Thanks

[@Adaptalux]

It's the Adaptalux Studio - www.adaptalux.com/studio

[@ThomasistheTwin]

Get that man a head lamp🤩

[@picasso2004]

Very inspiring video, thank you.

[@Adaptalux]

Thanks for watching!

[@cheenausama9454]

What is the use of Flourescene to a question document?

[@PedroVenancio72]

Thanks again Ben, great videos, Ben the lens you use for this video and shots are ????

[@Adaptalux]

Hi Pedro, for most of these shots we used a Nikon 18-105, but for macro we more often use the Tamron 90mm (though ours recently broke after many years of use).

[@PedroVenancio72]

@@Adaptalux ok thanks a lot, i have a 18-55mm and a 70-300mm for my Nikon D5600

[@ianslack4071]

Obviously your not going to be doing a video on this for obvious reasons, but front and backs of driving licences, pages of passports and some credit cards etc have some great UV to photograph as an intrest, also old paper money is great too (the new plastic money only has and 5, or 10 etc for the monatry denomination, but old money is interesting)

[@Adaptalux]

Indeed, it's interesting to reveal those hidden effects, but you're right, probably not going to be putting my driving licence on video!

[@orionm4268]

Is your dslr that you used for this full spectrum moded?

[@Adaptalux]

This is not full spectrum photography. It does not require modifications to the camera as we are still capturing visible light.

[@orionm4268]

@@Adaptalux yet a full spectrum sensor might be beneficial. Ever give astrophotography a go?

[@DanKitwood]

Slightly confused. Isn’t the exposure just being made by the visible light coming out of the end of the arms? Which you can see, so isn’t UV.

[@marlenewatson2602]

Please can I ask are all three arms uv lights ? I have two uv arms

[@Adaptalux]

Hi Marline, Yes, all 3 are UV, though 2 should be enough for most situations.

[@cours458]

those UV light are not dangerous for the eyes or sensor?

[@Adaptalux]

Not dangerous to the sensor at all, though we do recommend wearing some kind of UV eye protection.

[@minayuce4475]

Hello Ben, Thank you for this video, it inspired me a lot and it was super well explained

[@Adaptalux]

There is no need for a UV filter most of the time. most cameras and lenses already have UV-blocking coatings. There's no extra filters or camera modifications needed, other than a pure UV light source.

[@JulesMoyaert_photo]

Bravo! Thank you. You just may want to add a black background in addition to switching off the lights.

[@Adaptalux]

Do you mean for the UV shots or the regular ones?

[@JulesMoyaert_photo]

@@Adaptalux For UV.

[@Adaptalux]

We have found that it usually isn't needed as the UV light drops off very quickly after the subject, leaving the background naturally black. Only case where it would be needed is if there is something highly fluorescent back there.

[@JulesMoyaert_photo]

@@Adaptalux Thanks!

[@danieldrabik1977]

On 4:22 all four sticks are UV?

[@Adaptalux]

There's 3, but yes they are all UV.

[@danieldrabik1977]

@@Adaptalux Oh, three. I am sorry. I watched a video on my mobile. Thanks for the reply. And for inspiration.

[@Adaptalux]

No worries Daniel, thanks for dropping by!

[@BlessonDensil]

Is there any ways you can sell adaptlux on Amazon. So we can get international shipping to India.

[@Adaptalux]

We don't currently have plans to sell on amazon, but we do have international shipping from our own website.

[@ColdCoffeePhotography]

Great photography, but with the cost of the unit and then 3 uv arms its far too expensive for the average amateur that would want to do this :(

[@Adaptalux]

Unfortunately the filters needed for UV are very costly, even to us to put into our arms. Buying the filter to modify a flash can cost 100s too, it's a pretty specialised bit of glass so it does create a bit of a barrier to entry.

[@beenthere9770]

Lichens?

[@Adaptalux]

Might work well, I'll try some out on the future, think I already has e some around.

[@constantinegrigorov138]

A nice video for sleeping :)

[@Adaptalux]

Not interested in UV?

[@constantinegrigorov138]

@@Adaptalux Nope.. I find floweres more beautiful in full spectrum :)

[@Adaptalux]

Just my voice putting you to sleep then?! :)

[@daniel123991]

@@Adaptalux u have a grate character don't let these fools put u down ur gold

[@bgovan64]

Always a hater in the crowd. They always have to spout off. Awesome video Ben as are all the videos you do.

[@daniel123991]

you have made drug smoking hippie verry happy.. ur a reel cool dude nice one thankyou

[@Adaptalux]

Thanks Daniel, glad you enjoyed it!

[@roroploutplout]

C'est pas de la photo UV ça

[@Cornishcameraviews]

What camera is that?

[@Adaptalux]

Nikon D5600

[@DanKitwood]

Slightly confused. Isn’t the exposure just being made by the visible light coming out of the end of the arms? Which you can see, so isn’t UV.

[@Adaptalux]

There isn't any visible light produced by these light sources, only UV. The visible light is produced by the subject in reaction to the UV.

[@DanKitwood]

@@AdaptaluxI have a pair. There is a clear blue visible light coming out of each? Or is it just that, everything fluoresces to a certain extent, and it’s that that I’m seeing when I see it on the back of my hand or on a bit of paper etc when I’m checking that they are on? What are the ultra fluorescent bits that I’m seeing on ‘some’ flowers’ pollen, and dust etc? Also on things like scorpions , fungi for eg. Is that the same process but just to a much greater extent? Am I even making sense?

[@Adaptalux]

Correct! Most things will have a very small amount of glow, like leaves or even your hand. Fingernails slightly more so! The things with better fluorescence will glow brighter, like pollen and dust. Mostly, flowers will only glow slightly under UV, but with a long exposure the effect is more pronounced. Dust and pollen can be an issue though as it will glow much more brightly than the petals and leaves. You will notice the effect most with objects that totally change colour in response to UV, like a kiwi or lichen.