So...if I wanted to do some Infrared...

[OdiN1701]

With my 20D...do I just need an IR filter to put over the lens? I'm not sure of the process for digital. I know I can take a standard one and do conversions in PS to make it appear like an IR photo...

TIA

[Timm]

The February issue of Shutterbug had a spread on converting colour images to an 'Infrared Look' using Elements 3 or CS.

In brief they duplicated the background layer and then used adjustment layers -
Channel Mixer -> Monochrome Selected -> Green +200, Red -50, Blue -50 '...and play' for landscapes or Red +200, Blue -60 to -75, Green between -40 & +30 '...and play' for Portraits.

Softening was added by flattening the layers and then using a Gaussian Blur filter and once again playing with the values/options.

[OdiN1701]

The February issue of Shutterbug had a spread on converting colour images to an 'Infrared Look' using Elements 3 or CS.

In brief they duplicated the background layer and then used adjustment layers -
Channel Mixer -> Monochrome Selected -> Green +200, Red -50, Blue -50 '...and play' for landscapes or Red +200, Blue -60 to -75, Green between -40 & +30 '...and play' for Portraits.

Softening was added by flattening the layers and then using a Gaussian Blur filter and once again playing with the values/options.

Yes, I know it is possible in PS. That didn't answer my question.

[Timm]

Sorry Odin, I misread your original post! :-(

Yes an infrared filter, like a Hoya R72 or a Wrattan (I forget the number), will work. You'll need to manually pre-focus before adding the filter. Exposure times upto about 30 seconds may be required.

Take a photo of something green (with the filter on) and use it for a Custom WB to give a monochrome effect, or shoot RAW & convert...

[Jon]

Wratten 87 or 89 are Kodak's IR filters.

[beesparkle]

Can I ask? Is it possible then to take infrared photos where the landscapes look all ghostly with white trees etc by using your normal digital camera and and IR filter? Or do you need your digi converted or a special lens?

[Jon]

The classic IR photos are B&W. Since your camera is set up to produce colour images, even with monochromatic light, you'll have to post-process to get them B&W.

Some lenses exhibit a "hot spot" when used for IR photography, and the culprits aren't necessarily the ones you'd expect. There's a list around somewhere, but I don't recall where. IIRC, for instance, the 50 f/1.4 hot-spotted but the 1.8 didn't, among others.

[Timm]

This thread (http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=18698&highlight=Lenses+for+Infrared) has a partial list culled from a post on DPReview.