What do the different colors in a CIR photograph represent?
Color infrared photography, often called false color photography because it renders the scene in other than the normal colors seen by the human eye, is widely used for interpretation of natural resources. Atmospheric haze does not interfere with the acquisition of the image, therefore is well suited to aerial photography. Because the film is high speed and subject to degrees of degradation in handling before exposure, the aerial photographs can vary in overall tone. This variability complicates the interpretation of color tones between photographs. However, some general guidelines can be given to aid the inexperienced interpreter. The red tone of color infrared aerial photographs is almost always associated with live vegetation. Very intense reds indicate vegetation which is growing vigorously and is quite dense. An irrigated alfalfa field would be an example of such vegetation. An evergreen forest, which may be quite dense vegetatively, will not appear as a similar bright red because
