Photo Hunt Challenges

Infrared Photography

Have I mentioned that I know nothing about Infrared Photography?!  It seemed like a great idea to put this technique on the Photo Hunt #5 list even though I have a lot to learn, as I am sure many of you do too .  I found this article from Smash Magazine that has some absolutely gorgeous Photos using Infrared (see photos below).  Here is an excerpt of the article at Smash Magazine:

One of the most charming contrasting color effects you can get in photography is by using infrared. An easy way to understand near-infrared light is to think of it as the color of the rainbow next to red, a color that is invisible to the human eye. But near-infrared is not the same as thermal imaging.

Because everyday objects reflect infrared in proportions that differ sharply from that of visible light, the tonal relationships are wildly unexpected. Such near-infrared techniques used in photography give subjects an exotic, antique look. Green vegetation becomes white, whereas human skin becomes pale and ghostly. The resulting images look alien.

Digital cameras use CCD and other similar sensors to capture infrared images. Although all digital cameras available on the market are sensitive to infrared light, they are equipped with infrared-blocking filters. The main reason for this is that consumer cameras are designed to capture visible light. But sometimes these filters are used together, giving very interesting in-camera effects like false color, wood effects etc.

To start with infrared photography, all you need to have is

1. A digital camera that is sensitive to infrared light.
2. A visible-light blocking filter (e.g. a Wratten 89B filter)
3. Image-editing software, such as Photoshop.

Near-infrared images straight out of the camera do not always look good and are usually not as dramatic and beautiful as normally captured images. Hence, a lot of post-processing is done to enhance these images. Some techniques used in post-processing are equalization, focus shift, small aperture, light leaks, digital false color, halo, etc.

Below, we present a selection of over  beautiful infrared images. Some of these images have undergone heavy post-processing, and all of these examples display the names of the photographers, along with links to their websites.

The Beauty Of Infrared Photography

Omar Junior

G2-Studio Photography

Daniella T

Roie Galitz
This photo is titled “The Fisherman”.

Almazroa

Daniella T.

Otit

Gilad

Romulo Lubachesky

Dave Deluria

Infrared photos taken with a  camera and filter a look very cool, but how do they do it?  Here is a tutorial about how to make your own Infrared Filter for your digital camera.  Obviously this technique takes some time to prepare and practice so if you’re like me and haven’t yet tried taking Infrared photos with a camera, there is no shame in Faking it with Photoshop!!! I found this brief tutorial online and thought I would try it out and post the steps for you too. This is a photo I took last summer in Austin, TX.

Before

After

Directions found at Kenrockwell.com

1.) Make a duplicate of the background layer (in layers palette drag “background” over the new layer icon at the bottom of the palette next to the trash can)

2.) Make sure this new duplicate layer called “background copy” is selected (highlighted in blue)

3.) Make a new adjustment layer of type: Channel Mixer (click and hold the half black/white circle at the bottom of the layers palette and select “Channel Mixer” from the menu that pops up.)

4.) A menu box pops up for adjustment of the Channel Mixer.

5.) Check “Monochrome” at the bottom. (Leave it unchecked for a bizarre color effect.)

6.) Set R = + 100%, G = + 200% and B = minus 200% ( – 200%)

7.) set constant as needed for the correct brightness, usually about minus 28%.

8.) Click OK

optional:

9.) Add foggy blur: create and blur another duplicate layer and mix it to the percentage you prefer

10.) Add grain to taste (Filter > Noise > Add Noise)