Photographer Cynthia Gladis is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of these photographs. From the series ‘720 South Carolina’. To see Cynthia’s body of work, click on any image.

I’ve long been fascinated by the concept of infrared photography and was pleased to discover that digital cameras can be converted to shoot at different wavelengths of light. I was never a fan of what I call “typical” infrared photography, which often depicts cemeteries that “glow,” or focuses solely on the “Wood effect” (white foliage) and was determined to make infrared photography my own — and develop my own style. After several conversions and a lot of experimentation with both monochrome and color infrared, I found my niche photographing my subjects in infrared monochrome using a 720nm wavelength conversion.

I enjoy black and white photography and find the high contrast of deep blacks and bright whites that result from using 720nm infrared quite pleasing, so I search for subjects that benefit from this high contrast. A bit of white foliage works its way into some of my infrared work, but I prefer subjects with more graphic appeal. High contrast monochrome infrared can also lend an ominous, dramatic feel to images that is often quite at odds with the subject matter. In my series 720 South Carolina I applied this dramatic mood to the beach and “lowcountry” life of the US South.

Artist statement:

I am a New Jersey, US based photographer whose work is informed by a long career in graphic design and a passion for fine art. My photography is varied, but has a common thread — an often humorous, ironic, or even quirky view of my surroundings, with subjects that, in reality, are not always what they appear to be. I enjoy turning my observations, and things that others might not notice, into interesting, thought-provoking images, and finding and sharing the beauty in the mundane. There is something interesting to “see” just about everywhere, and I don’t limit myself to one genre — my work runs the gamut from street photography, abstracts, minimalism, and night photography to infrared.

All images and text © Cynthia Gladis