Adaptalux demonstrates surreal world of UV fluorescence at Photography Show

By Chris George
published

Two-day virtual expo allows the macro lighting specialist the chance of showing off the magic of ultraviolet photography

Garden Spider shot with UV light using Adaptalux lighting arms (Image credit: Adaptalux)
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Macro photography lighting specialists Adaptalux are taking full advantage of this year's Photography Show and Video Show becoming a virtual, online event. During the show that runs live until tomorrow, 21 September, they will be showing lighting techniques that they simply can't show at a live event.

They are running video a demonstration and tutorial of ultraviolet Induced visible fluorescence  (UVIVF) macro photography. "We’re confident that this is a type of photography never before demonstrated at the show as it requires specialist lighting like ours, as well as absolute darkness," says the exhibitor. "While we did have our UV Lighting Arms for sale at the show last year, they are not easy to demonstrate in the bright lights of the hall. Moving online, where we can make a video to show off the capabilities, means that we can show visitors this amazing form of photography for the first time".

Lichen with conventional lighting (left) looks completely different color when shot with UV light (right) (Image credit: Adaptalux)

Adaptalux manufactures fiber optic arms that allow photographers to spotlight small areas on miniature subjects, in a way that is not possible with normal lighting techniques. The team will be on hand during show hours (10am - 5pm BST), and will be demonstrating its conventional visible spectrum lighting arms, as well as its specialist UV rigs.

Nettle leaf show with normal Adaptalux lighting set-up

Nettle leaf show with normal Adaptalux lighting set-up (Image credit: Adaptalux)

Nettle leaf show with Adaptalux UV lighting set-up

Nettle leaf show with Adaptalux UV lighting set-up (Image credit: Adaptalux)

Adaptalux UV macro lighting rig (Image credit: Adaptalux)

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Chris George
Chris George

Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography. 


His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 11 Pro.


He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.

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