Unlike many photographers that quickly specialize for one certain kind of photography I'm always testing some new techniques. Recently I tried infrared photography. All I needed was IR filter and few basic advices, which I searched out on internet.
Infrared filter only leaves light in the part of the spectrum which we can't see with the naked eye, but CCD can capture this invisible light. If we look through IR filter we can't see anything.
The most fascinating thing about IR technique is world in colors, we almost don’t recognize. Green leaves turns red, skies turns into the most incredible deep sea blue. Parts which reflects sunlight turns snow-white, etc.
About taking the photographs there is no big science. You simply put your camera on solid tripod, set aperture and suitable time, and shoot. Capturing IR photos usually takes quite few seconds, that's why use of self-timer, wire or remote actuator is recommendable.
When photos are taken, we must do some work in computer. I use Photo Shop CS2, but it is similar in other photo editors.
Fully basic treat to catchy IR-photos would look like this:
Basic photo direct from camera:
With click on Auto Levels I get something like this. Usually Auto Levels is sufficient. If not, I use manual corrections.
Now we must change red and blue channel in Channel Mixer.
For catchier photos we must use some more time playing with various settings. For better results I sometimes use combinations of IR and usual photos. I also tried IR+HDR. On pictures below, you can see how final results should look like.
Infrared filter only leaves light in the part of the spectrum which we can't see with the naked eye, but CCD can capture this invisible light. If we look through IR filter we can't see anything.
The most fascinating thing about IR technique is world in colors, we almost don’t recognize. Green leaves turns red, skies turns into the most incredible deep sea blue. Parts which reflects sunlight turns snow-white, etc.
About taking the photographs there is no big science. You simply put your camera on solid tripod, set aperture and suitable time, and shoot. Capturing IR photos usually takes quite few seconds, that's why use of self-timer, wire or remote actuator is recommendable.
When photos are taken, we must do some work in computer. I use Photo Shop CS2, but it is similar in other photo editors.
Fully basic treat to catchy IR-photos would look like this:
Basic photo direct from camera:
With click on Auto Levels I get something like this. Usually Auto Levels is sufficient. If not, I use manual corrections.
Now we must change red and blue channel in Channel Mixer.
For catchier photos we must use some more time playing with various settings. For better results I sometimes use combinations of IR and usual photos. I also tried IR+HDR. On pictures below, you can see how final results should look like.
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