FalseColorIR

FalseColorIR is a term used to describe a family of imaging techniques that assign infrared information to visible color channels to create false-color representations. The approach is commonly used to visualize near-infrared data in a way that highlights contrasts and material properties that are not evident in standard RGB images.

In its typical digital form, a camera sensitive to near-infrared radiation (approximately 700–1100 nm) captures a scene. The obtained grayscale infrared data are then mapped to color channels through image processing. A common mapping assigns near-infrared to the red channel while shifting the visible red and green channels to green and blue. The result is an image where vegetation often appears bright red, skies may appear blue or cyan, and water or shadows appear dark. Different mappings are possible and may emphasize specific features for analysis or aesthetics.

False-color infrared has applications across various fields. In agriculture and ecology, it helps indicate vegetation health and vigor. In urban imaging, it can reveal surface properties, moisture, or heat-related patterns when combined with other data. In remote sensing, false-color composites assist in land cover classification and environmental monitoring. In thermal imaging contexts, false-color palettes are used to translate temperature differences into colors to aid interpretation, though that usage is distinct from reflectance-based infrared imaging.

Limitations include the potential for misinterpretation if the mapping is unfamiliar, dependence on the chosen color scheme, and the need for appropriate hardware or processing workflows. Overall, FalseColorIR provides a flexible visual tool for emphasizing infrared information in a way that complements traditional color photography.