Do I need special camera preparation or elements to shoot under UV light?

Shutter speed. Slowing the shutter speed will allow you to get the effect you’re looking for since it’s allowing more light to come in. What you’ll want to do is turn off all source of light but the black light and keep the illumination from the black light out of the shot. Only use the glow from the actually picture and have a low shutter speed. I’m not sure what shutter speed, but I do know of a a person on fluther that has some photography experience I’ll recommend this thread to.

Since it’s a digital camera you will need a strong UV filter if you want to see anything But the UV itself (which digital sensors are sensitive to, much like they are to IR)
I’m not sure if there’s a way to attach a filter to that camera since it’s not an SLR, it may be that you’ll just have to hold (or tape) the filter in front of the lens.
The “UV Filters” sold as a simple piece of glass to protect an SLR lens will not do anything against a blacklight.

Edit: Found in a review: “While Canon does not officially support filters, it is possible to put a 52mm filter on the front of the lens. ”

You’ll probably need a filter.

If you are talking about about black light then you are probably safe without a filter. Very little UV will pass through optical glass below 400 nm. Source
UVA is 356 nm, and UVB is 302 nm. You can try a piece of glass in front of the camera and see if the visible image changes. (It won’t) But put that piece in front of the light source and the glow will drop off. Give it a try.
Onec again you If yo use a piece of regualr glass in font

Sorry about the junk at the end of my previous post. I was interrupted and sent too early.
Darn work!

thanks guys!!! well, since the pictures will take place inside a cave, with NO sunlight (and any other light) I think now its just about buy a small UV light source, maybe one of those machines to check bills, and do some testing at home. :D

If you are in a cave i’m assuming you’ll be doing archeological photography. If this is just some art that looks good under black lights, ignore this advice.

There are specific things that need to be done for this to work correctly. First, don’t wear light colors, anyone in the room should be in dark, preferably black clothing. Don’t forget your shoes.

Second, contra previous posters, you want a filter that actually blocks most visible light, and only allows in UV light and some fluorescence (sp?) light.

Kodak Wratten 2A, 2B, 2E and Baader UV/IR Cut filters work for this. You can buy from other companies, they may or may not use the same filter codes. These allow for some violet light to pass through.

If you can hang black felt behind your subject even better.

Specialty cameras are often used for this type of photography. See this Fuji camera.

You need a slightly more specialized UV light source to pull this off well. Most UV lights will admit a lot of visible light as well. You want to restrict the light to just uv and trace amounts of violet. Exitation Filters will do the job, but they aren’t cheap.

Some cameras do not perform well for UV photography due to filters over the sensors or from the glass in the camera lens absorbing some of the UV light. Can’t comment as to how yours will perform

Here is an article that describes shooting paintings with UV light as well as other photographic techniques.

This is not a cheap or easy task.

hey @arpinum thats a really expert advice! thanks! but I’m afraid that my equipment will have to do… those that im reading from you, are really good recommendations. thanks. and oh, testing testing testing testing testing…