From Colour to IR

Adiemus · 25th January 2005

Ok guys. Gonna share some tips I picked up from some magazine quite some time back.

It's got to do with how to convert your colour photo into one that simulates it's taken on IR film.

For this, you will need Adobe Photoshop and a coloured digital photo (preferrably one with green foliage).

Here goes:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I will use one of my digital photos.

- Select "Layer"
- Select "New Adjustment Layer"
- Select "Channel Mixer"
- Click "OK"

You will see the following window:

- Tick the "Monochrome" checkbox

For these picture, since the predominant colour is green, push the "Green" channel up to between 150% and 200%. Balance out the "Red" and "Blue" channels. General rule is that the total comes to be about "100", but you don't have to stick to this.

Currently, you will have 2 layers. The top layer is the "Adjustment" layer and the bottom is the actual image (also known as the Background layer).

Your pic should look like this:

Now switch to the Background layer and:
- Select "Image"
- Select "Adjustments"
- Select "Curves"

Bend the curve a little so that it resembles a subtle "S" shape. This will add contrast by lightening highlights and darkening the shadow areas.

Adiemus · 25th January 2005

A characteristic of IR photos is a soft glow. This can be simulated using filters in Photoshop. Still working on the Background layer:

- Select "Filter"
- Select "Blur"
- Select "Gaussian Blur"

- Enter a value of "10"

The blur effect seems to be too overwhelming. What you do is to "Fade" the blur.

- Select "Edit"
- Select "Fade Gaussian Blur"

- Enter "50%"
- Click "OK"

Now the image has a soft glow.

To simulate IR film, you will need grain. So, we'll add "noise" to the picture.
Working on the Background layer:

- Select "Filter"
- Select "Noise"
- Select "Add Noise"

- Enter a value between 2% and 5% (make sure its subtle and not too much)

You will now have a simulated IR photo!

teerex · 25th January 2005

Thanks for sharing Adiemus. Here's my try at the same photo, give your opinions please.

Dennis · 25th January 2005

Teerex your processing seems hush, a little softer and some noise and maybe it will look really like IR liow.

Originally Posted by teerex

Thanks for sharing Adiemus. Here's my try at the same photo, give your opinions please.

Adiemus · 25th January 2005

Originally Posted by teerex

Thanks for sharing Adiemus. Here's my try at the same photo, give your opinions please.

Hi Teerex,

It seems that the contrast settings were a bit too harsh in your case. If you notice the center portion, the details are all blown.

Don't follow the exact values for the contrast settings (shown in my examples). Go by what you see on screen. You just need to tweak the "S" curse slightly.

This is just a guide, try experimenting with the settings to tweak your photo to taste.

What do you guys think of this "exercise"? I can try to post up some more, when I have time to work out some of the other PS processing techniques.

teerex · 25th January 2005

Thanks for opinions Dennis and Adiemus. Yes it definitely is harsh, just trying out. I was too easy with the "S" curve and also tried to brighten up the picture so that the darker areas could show up.

But then, too much.

vortex · 25th January 2005

Originally Posted by Adiemus

This is just a guide, try experimenting with the settings to tweak your photo to taste.

What do you guys think of this "exercise"? I can try to post up some more, when I have time to work out some of the other PS processing techniques.

very good idea for a 'exercise'!!

i would definitely love to brush up on my PS skills as well since they are pretty limited

but of course i can only do this at nite

Jango · 25th January 2005

Pretty interesting!! Following attempts using the guide above.

This last one was tricky. The greens for some reason just refuse to turn white so I tweak it further by adjusting hue.

What do you think?

Adiemus · 25th January 2005

Interesting results Jango!

Way cool... how the dragonfly turned out.

About the green channel adjustment, it depends on the predominant colour. Also, the green seems to be much darker, that's probably why they were reluctant to change to "white".

Gotta experiment on the red and blue channels too to achieve your desired outcome...

PandaOng · 25th January 2005

How is this?

May consider changing my avatar to IR heehee

Hosea · 25th January 2005

Interesting On-line training.Well done Adiemus.

Adiemus · 25th January 2005

Originally Posted by PandaOng

How is this?

May consider changing my avatar to IR heehee

Ooi... Don't like that "ter kan" the baby lah.... Looks ghostly man!!

Adiemus · 25th January 2005

Originally Posted by Hosea

Interesting On-line training.Well done Adiemus.

Well, encouraging sharing of post processing techniques so that we can get better at out craft.

teerex · 25th January 2005

A shot from today's Thaipusam, ran the tutorial, but without blur and noise.

From this, out of cam

I got this, looks like monochrome doesn't it?

Jango · 25th January 2005

Originally Posted by PandaOng

How is this?

May consider changing my avatar to IR heehee

After looking at it for a few more times, a bit scary leh...

Teerex I played with ur Thaipusam pic and it also looked monochrome.

Dennis · 25th January 2005

First time trying, Teerex hope you don't mind I stole your photo.
Does this looks like B&W IR, complete with slight blown highlights.
Not done on PS but on ACDSee

teerex · 25th January 2005

Originally Posted by Dennis

First time trying, Teerex hope you don't mind I stole your photo.
Does this looks like B&W IR, complete with slight blown highlights.
Not done on PS but on ACDSee

No problem Dennis, the reason why I posted the colour photo was to see if anyone wanted to try their hand at it.

Yes, there're blown highlights. I used different settings from Adiemus tutorial and got my posted results. If I had followed closer to that tutorial at the channel mixer portion, I also had blown highlights.

Got to practise and try out more.

gray · 26th January 2005

thanks for the tip adiemus. i can now say i'm using photoshop in more experimental ways and having loads of fun at it too. this will be my first post though, so i hope it's alright.

Adiemus · 26th January 2005

Here's a quick one at it...

Adiemus · 26th January 2005

Originally Posted by gray

thanks for the tip adiemus. i can now say i'm using photoshop in more experimental ways and having loads of fun at it too. this will be my first post though, so i hope it's alright.

Welcome Gray! We are more than happy to have you join us in this forum. We are currently pretty experimental with our IR shots and time and again you will see us trying out new filters and Photoshop post processes.

Your 2 shots turned out well.

Keep experimenting and let us know if you have a tip or 2.

25th January 2005	#1
Adiemus Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Small island.... Posts: 1,566	From Colour to IR Ok guys. Gonna share some tips I picked up from some magazine quite some time back. It's got to do with how to convert your colour photo into one that simulates it's taken on IR film. For this, you will need Adobe Photoshop and a coloured digital photo (preferrably one with green foliage). Here goes: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I will use one of my digital photos. - Select "Layer" - Select "New Adjustment Layer" - Select "Channel Mixer" - Click "OK" You will see the following window: - Tick the "Monochrome" checkbox For these picture, since the predominant colour is green, push the "Green" channel up to between 150% and 200%. Balance out the "Red" and "Blue" channels. General rule is that the total comes to be about "100", but you don't have to stick to this. Currently, you will have 2 layers. The top layer is the "Adjustment" layer and the bottom is the actual image (also known as the Background layer). Your pic should look like this: Now switch to the Background layer and: - Select "Image" - Select "Adjustments" - Select "Curves" Bend the curve a little so that it resembles a subtle "S" shape. This will add contrast by lightening highlights and darkening the shadow areas.

25th January 2005	#2
Adiemus Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Small island.... Posts: 1,566	Part 2 A characteristic of IR photos is a soft glow. This can be simulated using filters in Photoshop. Still working on the Background layer: - Select "Filter" - Select "Blur" - Select "Gaussian Blur" - Enter a value of "10" The blur effect seems to be too overwhelming. What you do is to "Fade" the blur. - Select "Edit" - Select "Fade Gaussian Blur" - Enter "50%" - Click "OK" Now the image has a soft glow. To simulate IR film, you will need grain. So, we'll add "noise" to the picture. Working on the Background layer: - Select "Filter" - Select "Noise" - Select "Add Noise" - Enter a value between 2% and 5% (make sure its subtle and not too much) You will now have a simulated IR photo!

25th January 2005	#3
teerex Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,672	Thanks for sharing Adiemus. Here's my try at the same photo, give your opinions please. __________________ *Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.* teerex@myinfrared.com

25th January 2005	#6
teerex Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,672	Thanks for opinions Dennis and Adiemus. Yes it definitely is harsh, just trying out. I was too easy with the "S" curve and also tried to brighten up the picture so that the darker areas could show up. But then, too much. __________________ *Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.* teerex@myinfrared.com

25th January 2005	#14
teerex Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,672	A shot from today's Thaipusam, ran the tutorial, but without blur and noise. From this, out of cam I got this, looks like monochrome doesn't it? __________________ *Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.* teerex@myinfrared.com Last edited by teerex; 25th January 2005 at 08:28 PM.

25th January 2005	#8
Jango Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 525	Pretty interesting!! Following attempts using the guide above. This last one was tricky. The greens for some reason just refuse to turn white so I tweak it further by adjusting hue. What do you think?

25th January 2005	#9
Adiemus Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Small island.... Posts: 1,566	Interesting results Jango! Way cool... how the dragonfly turned out. About the green channel adjustment, it depends on the predominant colour. Also, the green seems to be much darker, that's probably why they were reluctant to change to "white". Gotta experiment on the red and blue channels too to achieve your desired outcome...

25th January 2005	#10
PandaOng Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: InfraRedLand Posts: 911	How is this? May consider changing my avatar to IR heehee

25th January 2005	#11
Hosea Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,712	Interesting On-line training.Well done Adiemus.

25th January 2005	#16
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,864	First time trying, Teerex hope you don't mind I stole your photo. Does this looks like B&W IR, complete with slight blown highlights. Not done on PS but on ACDSee

26th January 2005	#18
gray New Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3	thanks for the tip adiemus. i can now say i'm using photoshop in more experimental ways and having loads of fun at it too. this will be my first post though, so i hope it's alright.