Infrared Camera Hack: See-Through Clothes Vision

It is possible to convert a regular camera into an infrared camera that can see through some clothes. All you need to do is remove the infrared blocking filter that is present in all digital cameras to protect the CCD sensor from burning due to exposure to high-energy infrared light, such as sunlight. However, it is important to note that this method will only work with very thin clothing, and even then, it may not provide a clear image. The risk of an infrared camera revealing something under your clothes is extremely low, and the problem usually only occurs with thin clothing that is already semi-transparent.

Remove the infrared blocking filter

To remove the infrared blocking filter from your camera, you will need to open the camera and access the lens and sensor. Be aware that attempting this will likely void your camera's warranty.

The infrared blocking filter is usually located in front of the sensor. There are two ways the filter can be placed in the camera: with glue or with screws. If your camera uses glue, the filter is glued directly to the lens holder, and the only way to remove it is to destroy it. It is recommended to remove the lens holder from the camera before attempting to remove the filter. If your camera uses screws, the filter is held in place by a removable retainer that is screwed onto the lens holder.

Once you have located the infrared blocking filter, use a screwdriver to remove it. Be very careful not to damage the sensor, as this can be easily done. If the filter is glued on, you may be able to use a heat gun or hair dryer to loosen the adhesive, but be cautious not to damage the sensor with the heat.

After removing the infrared blocking filter, you will need to insert a replacement clear filter. This can be a piece of clear glass cut to the correct size. Be careful not to get fingerprints on the sensor.

Removing the infrared blocking filter will alter the optical path of the camera and may result in problems with focusing the lens. It will also expose the camera's sensor and electronics, so it is important to work in a clean environment to minimise the risk of dust entering the camera.

Use a normal camera without an IR cut filter

Using a Normal Camera Without an IR Cut Filter to See Through Clothes

Most cameras have an IR cut filter, which blocks infrared waves from entering the camera. This is because IR light can distort the colours of recorded images. However, removing this filter can allow a normal camera to see the infrared part of the light spectrum, which can, in turn, allow the camera to see through some types of clothing.

To convert a normal camera to see through clothes, you will need to open the camera and remove the IR cut filter. This process will vary depending on the camera, but the general steps are as follows:

• Open your camera: This may require unscrewing some screws or prying open a casing. Be careful not to damage the camera or its components during this process.
• Remove the CCD sensor: This is usually connected to the camera via a flex cable. Gently disconnect the cable to remove the sensor.
• Detach the lens mechanism from the sensor: This will give you access to the IR cut filter.
• Locate and remove the IR cut filter: The IR cut filter is typically located in the lens part of the camera. It will look reddish. Use a screwdriver or another tool to carefully remove it.
• Reassemble the camera: Once the IR cut filter has been removed, put the camera back together, ensuring that all components are properly connected and secured.

After modifying the camera, you will be able to use it to see through some thin fabrics, such as certain types of swimwear and synthetic materials. However, it is important to note that this modification may affect the camera's ability to capture true-to-life colours and may damage the sensor due to overexposure to IR light.

It is also worth noting that attempting to see through clothing using infrared technology may raise ethical and privacy concerns. Always use this technology responsibly and with the consent of the person being photographed.

Use a special SWIR camera

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) cameras can extend vision into wavebands that are normally invisible to the human eye and other types of thermal imaging. SWIR cameras can see through obscurants such as rain, haze, smog, dust, and smoke. They can also see through glass, as SWIR light interacts with objects in a similar way to visible light.

SWIR cameras are used in a variety of applications, including electronic board inspection, solar cell inspection, produce inspection, surveillance, anti-counterfeiting, process quality control, and more.

SWIR cameras can be used to see through disguises, as human hair and natural fabrics such as cotton are highly reflective in SWIR. Additionally, SWIR cameras can be used to see through certain materials such as silicon, and to differentiate between colours that appear almost identical in the visible light spectrum.

SWIR cameras have sensors made of indium gallium arsenide and have very low resolution. To create a SWIR image of a person, a large number of photos must be taken and stitched together like a panorama.

Use a thermal imaging camera

Thermal imaging cameras can detect heat signatures through clothing but they cannot see through clothes to produce a clear image of what is underneath. Clothing acts as a barrier to infrared radiation, allowing only a small amount of heat to escape from the body and be detected by the camera. Therefore, while thermal cameras can detect the presence of a person under clothing, they cannot create a detailed image of what is underneath.

However, there are some situations where thermal cameras may detect more information about what is under clothing. For instance, if a person is wearing tight-fitting clothing or clothing made from thin or light materials, more heat may escape and be detected by the camera. Similarly, if a person has been exercising or is experiencing high levels of stress, their body temperature may be elevated, making it easier for a thermal camera to detect their presence.

It is important to note that using thermal cameras to see through clothing without consent is illegal in many places and may be considered a form of sexual harassment or voyeurism.

To convert a regular camera into a thermal imaging camera, you will need to remove the infrared blocking filter. This filter is present in all digital cameras and protects the CCD sensor from burning due to high-energy infrared light, such as sunlight. By removing this filter, the camera will be able to see the infrared part of the light spectrum, allowing you to see objects that emit more infrared energy.

• Open your camera.
• Remove the CCD sensor by disconnecting the flex cable.
• Detach the lens mechanism from the sensor.
• Remove the collimating lenses.
• Locate and remove the reddish-looking infrared blocking filter.
• Reinsert the collimating lens.
• Fit the camera back together.

Please note that removing the infrared filter may cause permanent damage to your camera sensor due to long exposure to infrared light.

Use synthetic fibres

To create an infrared camera that can see through clothes, you can modify an existing camera by removing the infrared blocking filter. This is a cheap hack that can be done with any camera sensor, as all camera sensors have the ability to see infrared. The infrared blocking filter, usually reddish in colour, is included in cameras to protect the CCD sensor from burning due to exposure to high-energy infrared light, such as sunlight.

However, the removal of the infrared blocking filter does not guarantee that the camera will be able to see through all types of clothing. The effectiveness of this method depends on the type of fabric used in the clothing. Synthetic fibres, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, interact with infrared light differently from natural fibres like cotton or silk.

Synthetic fibres are created through chemical processes that involve the use of various synthetic materials and treatments. These synthetic materials often have a higher emissivity, which means they absorb and emit more infrared radiation than natural fibres. This is because synthetic fibres tend to have a more complex structure than natural fibres, which can include additives or coatings that enhance their infrared emissivity.

As a result, clothing made from synthetic fibres may be more "visible" to infrared cameras compared to those made from natural fibres. The infrared camera, after modification, will be able to detect the infrared radiation emitted by the synthetic fibres, which can provide a level of visibility through the fabric. However, it is important to note that the thickness and weave of the fabric will also impact the visibility, as thicker fabrics or tighter weaves will be more effective at blocking infrared light.

To maximise the chances of seeing through clothes with an infrared camera, it is recommended to target clothing made from synthetic fibres. The higher emissivity of these materials will increase the amount of infrared radiation that the camera can detect, providing a clearer image. Additionally, thinner fabrics or looser weaves will allow more infrared light to pass through, further enhancing the visibility.

In summary, by removing the infrared blocking filter from a camera and targeting clothing made from synthetic fibres, you can increase the likelihood of seeing through clothes with an infrared camera. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of this method is still limited by the thickness and type of fabric, and it may not work on all types of clothing.

Frequently asked questions