The invention includes a method and apparatus for acquiring an image of a subject"s iris, within the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Near infrared radiation is generated from an incandescent light source, having wavelengths spread across 700 nm to 900 nm. The iris is illuminated for imaging by directing the generated near infrared radiation along an optical path between the incandescent light source and an intersection of a field of view region and depth of field region of an iris camera.Near infrared radiation scattered by the iris and transmitted along the iris camera"s optical axis is received at the iris camera. An image of the iris is then acquired at the iris camera, based on radiation scattered by the iris and received at the iris camera.
