IR - Help me please

[8ernerd™]

i have done the following

1. Fix the IR filter onto lens.
2. Take the shot with the filter on AWB (setting of ISO 1600, 2s F4~5.6)
3. With the shot, you should get a reddish image.
4. Press Menu -> Custom WB.
5. Using the scroll dial, select the photos that just took. Press set to accept image.
6. [Set WB to "Custom WB"]
7. Press the AF.WB button
8. Using the scroll dial, select CWB
9. ready to take first IR images.

Capturing a shot.
1. unscrew filter from lens.
2. Compose shots.
3. screw filter back.
4. setting of ISO 100, f8, 30s.
5. Half press the shutter button. it is able to AF.
6. Capture first IR shot!!



this picture looks weird, so what am i missing ?

[AuntieHuat]

Hi there,

Your photo seems fine in my opinion. I loaded it into Photoshop. made it brighter as it is underexposed, then performed the usual swap of red-blue channels. Finally, I adjusted the hues and saturation to my own taste.

Cheers

[8ernerd™]

thanks AuntieHuat, i was wondering why the other trees aren't white ?

[FireWorms]

"trees aren't white?"...

these are 4 factor that affact the tone of iR...i mean the characteristic of light
Filter type
light condition
temperature
preset

*try preset to leaf

[AuntieHuat]

Originally Posted by 8ernerd™ thanks AuntieHuat, i was wondering why the other trees aren't white ?

beats me too.

My guess is that the tree that is not white belongs to another species that does not reflect IR well. Since the grass is whitish, i do not think the problem is with the custom white balance.

[JeffryZ]

I really like the colors you have in the original. It looks like it could have been taken at night. Looks like one of the trees shows up white. The other seems to be an evergreen. I guess they reflect IR light different than flat leaf trees do.

[8ernerd™]

i went back to check the trees, it seems all the trees are different breed.

could it be my canon 30D that is not suitable for IR?

sigh .... about to giveup IR

[initd]

To WB, after IR filter onto lens,

1. The tree (or green foliage) should fill the picture frame.
2. Turn to MANUAL focus mode, DEFOCUS.
3. Take picture. Look at histogram. It should be bell-shape.

This pic then will be your WB reference.

[Churchwolf]

There is a basic workflow that you should think about adopting for your IR photography. It is up to you how exactly you want your images to turn out (IR post processing is a very creative process that is highly subjective). I use the following workup:

1. White Balance = Take a photo of something green, grass is usually perfect as it fills the frame, with the IR filter on.

2. File format = Take all your IR images in the RAW format. This will make your post processing loads easier later.

3. Make sure you white balance is set to "Custom" and select "use image". Now use your photo of the green grass and start taking your pictures. You will know your exposure is roughly right when you can see that the leaves in your "red" pictures are faintly purple.

4. Bring your RAW files into Adobe LightRoom (or equivalent software). You will notice that the software automatically updates your images using your "custom" white balance setting and adjusts the colours. Now you need to set your white balance setting to "Tungsten".

5. Adjust your exposure, sharpness, etc. to your liking.

6. Export your images our of LightRoom and bring them into PhotoShop.

7. Add a new "Channel Mixer" layer with the following settings:
RED CHANNEL: Red = 0%, Geen = 0%, Blue = 100%
GREEN CHANNEL: Red = 16%, Green = 66%, Blue = 23%
BLUE CHANNEL: Red = 100%, Green = -30%, Blue = -12%

This is where your "artistic licence" comes into play. You can make the images look any way you like by playing with the variouis channels.

8. Add a new "Curves" layer with the following settings:
Under "options" select "Enhance Per Channel Contrast" and make sure the "Snap Neutral Midtones" box is checked.

9. Make any final adjustments you like and save the image. You may also want to run a noise reduction filter on your final image as some IR images can tend to get a little grainy. Anyway, when all this is done you should go from something like this:

BEFORE:




AFTER:



Hope this helps you mate!

[airforce1]

Churchwolf--Thanks for the workflow, I thought the green channels left it untouch. Will try this style.

[Churchwolf]

Originally Posted by airforce1 Churchwolf--Thanks for the workflow, I thought the green channels left it untouch. Will try this style.

No worries! IR can be a pretty frustrating experience in the beginning...I remember how I felt! I love the ones on your flickr! Nice shots!