One Sheet of Aerochrome: The Hunt for the Perfect Infrared Large Format Shot 🎞️🌵

calebknueven
5 days ago
3 min read

Introduction: Chasing Aerochrome in the Desert 🌞📸

There’s something almost spiritual about holding a single sheet of Aerochrome in your hands. The film feels precious, fragile, like a relic from a parallel universe where plants glow radioactive pink and reds. This trip was my second large format Aerochrome adventure, and let me tell you—this one was all about finding the right location and the one perfect shot.

If you’re new to false positive infrared or infrared film photography, here’s the deal: Aerochrome doesn’t just capture color—it transforms it. It drinks light from chlorophyll, turning ordinary greenery into surreal pinks and reds, and anything that’s not alive just… stays boring. Originally designed for military reconnaissance, now it’s one of the rarest and most coveted films for photographers who want to earn a shot rather than just snap it.

This post dives into the highs, the lows, and the lessons from chasing that perfect Aerochrome large format shot in the deserts of Arizona.

Deserted, weathered house with graffiti in arid landscape; wooden post in foreground, dry bushes surrounding, creating a bleak mood. Shot on expired Large format film.

The Journey Begins: Large Format Chaos 🚗💨

Day one of our trip kicked off with long drives, open roads, and sprawling cactuses. After nearly three years since my last large format adventure, I was ready but slightly nervous. Those earlier trips had nearly broken my spirit—lugging giant cameras and heavy gear only to sometimes walk away empty-handed.

This time, though, I had grown as a photographer… and yes, I was taller. The stakes were higher: each Aerochrome sheet cost a fortune, and the hunt for that perfect false positive infrared composition wasn’t going to wait for me to get it right on the first try.

Even a warm-up stop at a small church reminded me that every location has potential, but you can’t just shoot anything and hope Aerochrome will make it magical. You need light, foliage, subject contrast—all working together to create that surreal false-color effect.

Red-tiled storefront of Sprouse-Reitz Co., boarded with blue skull posters. Nearby is a "Karate Do" sign. Sunny street, clear sky. Shot on Portra 160 large format film

The Hunt for the Perfect Shot 🌿🏜️

Finding the perfect Aerochrome shot is part art, part luck, and part sheer persistence. We explored towns, ghost towns, gas stations, and quiet streets—sometimes getting exactly the scene I wanted, sometimes completely missing it. Every blown exposure, fogged sheet, and misfocused shot taught me a lesson about patience, composition, and understanding how infrared light interacts with vegetation.

One of the best lessons? The planned shots rarely work out. Some of the most incredible frames came from places I stumbled upon by accident: a derelict building, an overgrown treasure along the road, or a perfectly lit church that drew my eye from across the street.

By Day 7, I knew it was time. After miles of searching, every false start, every dust-storm sucker-punch, I finally found a location that had it all: green vegetation framing a decaying building, afternoon light illuminating the walls, and that intangible Aerochrome magic.

The Moment of Truth: Earning the Shot 🖼️✨

Holding that sheet of Aerochrome in the dark cloth, I felt the weight of every misstep and every tiny victory that led me here. Infrared film doesn’t forgive mistakes, but it rewards those who are patient. The colors exploded through the sheet like nothing else I’ve ever seen—reds, pinks, and subtle highlights that only Aerochrome can deliver.

This is the beauty of false positive infrared photography: it forces you to slow down, look harder, and truly earn your shot. It’s a reminder that large format isn’t just about gear—it’s about observation, timing, and connecting with the scene in a way that digital can’t replicate.

Street corner with brick buildings and a stop sign. Black and white image. Shadows from a leafy tree branch create contrast, evoking calm. shot on large format film

Full Circle: Church to Church 🙏🌸

Interestingly, my journey began at a small church, and as fate would have it, it ended at another church. The symmetry wasn’t planned, but it felt poetic: chasing Aerochrome isn’t just about photographing a location, it’s about understanding the film, your process, and your own patience.

Every blown frame, every misfire, and every late-night scouting session led me back to that moment of clarity. Aerochrome teaches you that the hunt is just as important as the capture.

Deserted cafe with "Real Mexican Food" sign, worn building under clear blue sky. El Charro Cafe text. Quiet, remote atmosphere. Shot on cinestill 400D large format

Why Aerochrome is Still Worth the Hunt 🎯💖

Shooting Aerochrome large format is expensive, rare, and challenging—but that’s the point. The journey, the unpredictability, and the moments where everything finally aligns make it worth it. There’s nothing like the feeling of seeing that first infrared positive glowing under your light table.

For photographers chasing false positive infrared, the lesson is simple: be patient, explore freely, and embrace the mistakes. Every misstep brings you closer to the shot that will make all the effort worthwhile.

Watch the journey here: 🎬