SCENE 01 / THERMAL IMAGING
Thermal Imaging
Heat visualization for your Irish production.
Here is how this works in practice. Thermal imaging cameras detect infrared radiation to visualize heat signatures invisible to standard cameras. In Ireland this technology supports wildlife filmmaking from red deer in Killarney and grey seals along the coast to puffins on the Skellig Islands and basking sharks off the western shores—while delivering key coverage of Cork's pharmaceutical and tech manufacturing, Dublin data centres, Shannon LNG operations, and the renewable wind energy infrastructure across the Wild Atlantic Way.
Here is the short of it. We source pro FLIR thermal systems and infrared cinematographers across Ireland and Europe, working closely with Screen Ireland, Ardmore and Troy Studios, and regional film offices in Dublin, Cork, and Galway. Our team sets up gear customs through Irish Revenue, secures OPW permits at Newgrange and Skellig Michael, and makes sure your thermal footage qualifies for the Section 481 tax credit of up to 32%.
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
Knowing what you need to visualize and the thermal traits 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.
On Location
FLIR T865 and Pulsar Trail XP50 thermal-imaging for Atlantic puffin nesting, grey seal colonies, Killarney red deer rutting and Burren karst flora
Here is how this works in practice. Ireland's thermal-imaging cinematography bench is purpose-built around the local biome's heat-signature signatures. Atlantic puffin nesting colonies on Skellig Michael UNESCO (peak feeding-flight thermal-signature work at dusk and dawn), grey seal colonies on the Antrim Coast and Carrick-a-Rede (autumn pup-rearing thermal-signature work), Killarney National Park red deer rutting (the only native Irish red deer herd. This has peak thermal-imaging windows at dawn and dusk during October rut), Connemara mountain hare nocturnal-activity tracking, Burren limestone karst flora (the unique thermal-gradient mapping that anchors National Geographic + BBC NI Earth + RTÉ Wild Ireland co-productions), Atlantic basking shark thermal-signature surface-tracking.
Here is the short of it. Plus the wider Strangford Lough Marine Conservation Zone + Lough Neagh + Rathlin Island grey seal thermal-imaging brief. Senior credits cover BBC NI Earth + David Attenborough Atlantic Coast + RTÉ Eco Eye + Wild Ireland + Find + National Geographic + BBC Two Natural History Unit (Bristol) co-productions.
Here is the breakdown. Gear flow runs FLIR T865 + T1020 + GF77 + A6750 industrial thermal-cinema cameras (radiometric thermal + temperature-overlay metadata). Pulsar Trail XP50 LRF + Trail 2 LRF XP50 thermal-scope inserts for handheld documentary thermal. Workswell WIRIS Pro thermal drone payload (mounted on DJI Matrice 350 RTK for aerial thermal-survey work), plus Seek Thermal Compact Pro for consumer-grade B-roll. Heritage UNESCO night-protocols (Skellig Michael + Giant's Causeway + Newgrange Brú na Bóinne) need OPW Ireland + National Trust Northern Ireland + NPWS sign-offs. Atlantic maritime weather drives thermal-window timing — fog and rain limit thermal contrast, so shoot windows favour high-pressure clear-sky periods.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Cross-border CTA seamless plan move thermal-imaging rigs between Republic and The North on the same shoot day. Section 481 32% relief plus 40% regional uplift covers thermal-imaging day rates and gear hire, plus IAA + UK CAA drone-thermal flight authorisations are set up where aerial thermal-imaging is the brief. Bilingual EN/Irish (Gaeilge) wildlife-guide and ecologist planning is standard on Gaeltacht and TG4 thermal-imaging shoots.
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?
Pro thermal cameras range from 320x240 to 640x480 and higher. While lower than visible light cameras, modern thermal sensors give detailed visuals suitable for HD and 4K production.
What are the color palette options?
Thermal cameras give many palettes—white-hot, black-hot, ironbow (rainbow), and many others. Each gives different aesthetic looks and can be selected based on creative needs.
Can thermal be used for wildlife?
Here is the breakdown. Yes, thermal imaging is great for Irish wildlife—detecting red deer in Killarney National Park at dawn, locating puffins nesting in Skellig Islands burrows, tracking grey seals hauled out on Atlantic coastal rocks, and finding basking sharks moving along the Wild Atlantic Way without disturbing them.
Is thermal footage useful for documentaries?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Thermal adds a unique perspective to documentaries shot in Ireland—visualizing energy efficiency in historic Georgian Dublin and ancient ringforts, revealing precision processes inside Cork pharmaceutical plants and tech campuses, or capturing the cooling systems of Ireland's offshore wind farms.
Can thermal footage be composited?
Yes, thermal footage can be composited with visible light footage or used as creative elements. Post-prod can boost thermal visuals for specific visual effects or scientific presentations.
Related Services
Productions in Ireland that need this often pair it with Night Vision Filming, Helicopter Filming, and Car Filming for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Lighting & Grip and Steadicam & Gimbal Operators.
On Set
Need Thermal Imaging?
Tell us about your thermal visualization needs and we'll reveal the invisible.