This application discloses a photographing apparatus and method, and relates to the field of image processing. When a high-quality image in a low illumination environment is obtained, costs are reduced, a size is reduced, and product compatibility is improved. The method includes: controlling a light filtering unit to: transparently transmit visible light in incident light and block infrared light in the incident light in a first image exposure interval, transparently transmit the infrared light in the incident light in a first time period of a second image exposure interval, and block the incident light in a second time period of the second image exposure interval; performing, by using an image sensor to obtain a first image, and performing photoelectric imaging on a light ray to obtain a second image; and synthesizing the first image and the second image, to generate a first target image.