Thermal Imaging
Heat visualization for your New York production.
Thermal imaging cameras detect infrared radiation to visualize heat signatures invisible to standard cameras. In New York this technology supports wildlife filmmaking from white-tailed deer and hawks in the Hudson Valley to Long Island marine life and surprising urban wildlife in the city itself, while delivering striking visualization of NYC's urban heat island effect, the steam tunnels beneath Manhattan, Newark industrial facilities, Wall Street financial district HVAC systems, and the cooling infrastructure of Long Island data centres.
We source professional FLIR thermal systems and infrared cinematographers across New York and the United States, working with the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Steiner Studios at Brooklyn Navy Yard, and the NYC Film Office. Our team coordinates equipment customs through CBP, FAA + NYPD drone permits via the dual permit system, and access to NPS sites including the Statue of Liberty, ensuring your project qualifies for the New York State Film Tax Credit of up to 30%.
Capabilities
Thermal Services
Professional thermal imaging for documentary, scientific, and creative applications.
01
Thermal Cameras
- FLIR professional
- High-resolution sensors
- Real-time display
- Recording capability
- Multiple palettes
Heat Visualization
02
Production
- Narrative integration
- Documentary filming
- Scientific capture
- Wildlife tracking
- Technical imaging
Diverse Applications
03
Analysis
- Temperature data
- Heat patterns
- Thermal anomalies
- Comparative imaging
- Data export
Scientific Data
04
Creative
- Color palettes
- Aesthetic looks
- Compositing
- Special effects
- Post-processing
Visual Style
See the Heat
Capabilities
Our Process
Requirements Review
Understanding what you need to visualize and the thermal characteristics of your subjects.
Equipment Selection
Choosing the right thermal camera system based on resolution, sensitivity, and aesthetic needs.
Production
Capturing thermal footage with proper setup for accurate and visually compelling results.
Post-Production
Processing thermal data and integrating footage with your production.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What can thermal cameras visualize?
Thermal cameras detect heat radiation, visualizing temperature differences. They can show body heat, engine heat, electrical hotspots, heat loss from buildings, and even recent contact traces on surfaces.
What resolution is available?
Professional thermal cameras range from 320x240 to 640x480 and higher. While lower than visible light cameras, modern thermal sensors provide detailed imagery suitable for HD and 4K production.
What are the color palette options?
Thermal cameras offer various palettes—white-hot, black-hot, ironbow (rainbow), and many others. Each provides different aesthetic looks and can be selected based on creative requirements.
Can thermal be used for wildlife?
Yes, thermal imaging is excellent for New York wildlife—detecting white-tailed deer in Catskill and Adirondack forests, locating hawks and owls roosting in trees, tracking coyotes that increasingly inhabit suburban Westchester, and even revealing surprising urban wildlife in Central Park and Prospect Park at night.
Is thermal footage useful for documentaries?
Thermal is uniquely powerful for New York documentaries—visualizing the urban heat island effect across Manhattan, capturing steam venting from Con Edison's network of underground pipes, revealing energy loss in pre-war Brooklyn brownstones, or documenting the heat signature of subway tunnels and Wall Street data centers.
Can thermal footage be composited?
Yes, thermal footage can be composited with visible light footage or used as creative elements. Post-production can enhance thermal imagery for specific visual effects or scientific presentations.
Need Thermal Imaging?
Tell us about your thermal visualization needs and we'll reveal the invisible.