Some IR experiments

[Warby]

I haven't posted on here for some time now, but have just bought a second hand G1 in order to do a bit of IR work. These are a couple of my first batch.

http://www.8frerichs.freeserve.co.uk/101_0125_RT8.jpg

http://www.8frerichs.freeserve.co.uk/101_0130_RT8.jpg

I need to do a lot more work before I get the sort of results that I have seen from others on this site, but I am generally pleased with these as a first effort.

All comments gratefully received.

Paul

[JMAS]

I think they are wonderful.
Specialy the first one.

I've been comtemplating the idea of geting a G1 for the same reason. They are still valued a bit too high though.

Don't be a stranger, keep them comming, please.

[Duder]

cool. using the R72?
Is this how they look straight out of the camera, or do you do much post processing? Do you set the white balance in camera? I recently converted my old sony camera for IR stuff. I posted a few photos elsewhere in this forum.

[BlueTit]

Hi, yes I think they are great too, especially the first. Nice to see human subjects in IR, you don't see that many I assume because with most cameras the exposure is too long. What was the exposure time for that shot. I have tried IR with the 20d and IR72, but I have not had much luck yet, they are never very good, but I am still experimenting.

[bikerider]

Nice stuff, I too love IR portraits........been thinking about converting my G3.
Roger.

[Duder]

Hi, yes I think they are great too, especially the first. Nice to see human subjects in IR, you don't see that many I assume because with most cameras the exposure is too long. What was the exposure time for that shot. I have tried IR with the 20d and IR72, but I have not had much luck yet, they are never very good, but I am still experimenting.

here's a test shot from 20D using an R72. It was a 30sec exposure at ISO 100. using ISO 800 you could get a similar image using a 4sec exposure. it's not really possible to go much faster than that and achieve acceptable results. since I converted my sony camera, I can get 0.002sec exposures out of it in bright sunlight.

[Warby]

I think they are wonderful.
Specialy the first one.

I've been comtemplating the idea of geting a G1 for the same reason. They are still valued a bit too high though.

Don't be a stranger, keep them comming, please.

Thanks JMAS.

I bought mine on E-bay and paid around GBP100 complete with the filter adaptor, case, remote control etc. Not bad value when you consider the potential that it has (with the right person behind it).

[Warby]

cool. using the R72?
Is this how they look straight out of the camera, or do you do much post processing? Do you set the white balance in camera? I recently converted my old sony camera for IR stuff. I posted a few photos elsewhere in this forum.

Yes, taken using an R72.
I use auto white balance, auto exposure but focus manually. When they come out of the camera they have a fairly heavy mauve cast. Post processing is as follows

Convert to B&W by deleting channels in lab colour
Convert to greyscale
Convert to RGB
Adjust levels
Adjust brightness/contrast
USM
Reduce noise
Resize
USM

As I said in my original post, I am still learning, so this work-flow will probably change.

I also want to try shooting with a custom white balance, but that is another experiment for another day.

I've just looked at your pictures and they are looking good - what post processing do you do?

[Warby]

Hi, yes I think they are great too, especially the first. Nice to see human subjects in IR, you don't see that many I assume because with most cameras the exposure is too long. What was the exposure time for that shot. I have tried IR with the 20d and IR72, but I have not had much luck yet, they are never very good, but I am still experimenting.

Thanks BlueTit.

Settings were Av=8.0, Tv=1.0, ISO=50.

I have tried in the past to take IR shots with my D60 and an R72, but with little (read no) success.

[Warby]

Nice stuff, I too love IR portraits........been thinking about converting my G3.
Roger.

I don't know much about the G3, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that the later G series cameras are not as good at IR as the earlier ones (i.e. longer exposures required). Worth a try though.

[lomond]

Both shots are great but especially the first.

I considered IR with my 10D and Hoya R72 but the consensus of opinion tended to be negative.
I read somewhere on this forum that the Hoya R72 filter lets in a small amount of red spectrum as well.

[Warby]

Both shots are great but especially the first.

I considered IR with my 10D and Hoya R72 but the consensus of opinion tended to be negative.
I read somewhere on this forum that the Hoya R72 filter lets in a small amount of red spectrum as well.

Thanks lomond.

Re. R72, yes I think it does, but it certainly wasn't enough to get any sort of acceptable result from my D60, although I believe the 10D might be a little more IR sensitive.

[Duder]

I've just looked at your pictures and they are looking good - what post processing do you do?

the auto white balance on the camera produces a strong red hue over the images, although I prefer to use the one-push manual setting which produces the effect you can see in my photos. sometimes I'll convert to B&W, but I kinda like the tri-tone effect that comes straight out of the camera.

typical post processing:

levels/curves to improve contrast
shadows/highlights adjustment if needed
noise reduction if needed
USM
resize for web