Attempting IR Photography

[sherchoo]

Hi all.... been going thru the CS and also other sites to try to figure how to take those IR shots that had captured my attention for awhile.

Got myself a 720nm IR filter from eBay and did the "TV remote control" test. I can see the red spot from there.

However, here's my issue. I tried to take a shot on a regular sunny day. Sttings are f4, 30s, IS0100. The result I got is #1

#1


Using PS, I adjust using the channel mixer as per described in the guide and the results I got #2

#2


What I want to know is how come the leaves are not white. Is this because i did not do the custom white balance? Did I miss something or is it the filter I got does not work?

I hope somebody can help me out cos I had went thru quite a few sites but I couldn't come up with an answer.

[rockmastez]

Well... u can try out various settings in PS to see the out come..

Or u can refer to the IR photograhpy stickies..

[catchlights]

you need to do custom WB for IR

[mousedeers]

your customer WB is not properly that why the image turn out red.

[white5tar]

May I know wat filter are you using? I played around with your image and this is what I got.




The trees are still green, which should not be the case. I dont know where u get the filter but filters nowadays seem to leak more visible light in compared to last time.

GoheadGostern had the same problem as you, and he found that its because his filter is too thin so he had to put 2 slices of ELP together to completely cut off most of the visible light spectrum.


Hope that helps.

[white5tar]

btw wat camera are u using?

[GoheadGostern]

hi

yeah. you face the same problem with me. i now use 2 layers of ELP modified to a screw mount.

the camera makes a difference. example

a D70 takes abt 8 seconds to do a good balance IR.

whereas my D90 takes abt 40-70 seconds to do it.

well it just might be my setting but since it gives me the results. im sticking to it.

Cheers
Shaz

[sherchoo]

I'm using the Sony A700. I suspect that the IR filter I'm using may not be filtering out effectively too. It's those brandless eBay stuff. Might be the culprit. But I really wanted to know if I did screw up the method.

Just a question, even if I don't do the CWB, the leaves should be still turn out white, right?

[Darkman]

Without a CWB, if the filter really only allows IR light to go through, your picture would still show red leaves, but after playing with the channels, they should come out white. I would think that what you have there is just a RED filter (intense) and not IR.

[sherchoo]

Originally Posted by Darkman Without a CWB, if the filter really only allows IR light to go through, your picture would still show red leaves, but after playing with the channels, they should come out white. I would think that what you have there is just a RED filter (intense) and not IR.

I may have to agree with you....

[sherchoo]

Originally Posted by GoheadGostern hi yeah. you face the same problem with me. i now use 2 layers of ELP modified to a screw mount. the camera makes a difference. example a D70 takes abt 8 seconds to do a good balance IR. whereas my D90 takes abt 40-70 seconds to do it. well it just might be my setting but since it gives me the results. im sticking to it. Cheers Shaz

Hi Shaz,

Care to elighten what is ELP? Where can I get? Any indication of the price?

[GoheadGostern]

ELP is the edmund long pass filter. it comes in rectangular pieces. so you will have to cut it. www.edmundoptics.com.sg. look out for Edmund long pass filters.

cheer
Shaz

[JeffryZ]

You need to do the white balance with the filter on usually but sometimes the IR filter is too strong and it is difficult so try to to the white balance first and then put on the filter. Another thing you may try if you cannot get a good white balance is to try the preset WB for tungsten. It will get you close enough. Anyhow- looks like your filter is not quite strong enough. Maybe go to a photo shop and they might let you try on a different filter and see the difference.

[sherchoo]

Originally Posted by JeffryZ You need to do the white balance with the filter on usually but sometimes the IR filter is too strong and it is difficult so try to to the white balance first and then put on the filter. Another thing you may try if you cannot get a good white balance is to try the preset WB for tungsten. It will get you close enough. Anyhow- looks like your filter is not quite strong enough. Maybe go to a photo shop and they might let you try on a different filter and see the difference.

I think I would be getting something else to do IR. Was researching on Cokin P007 but the cost for the whole set will cost about $70 for 82mm. I'm wondering if there's a more cost effective method or should I invest in a 82mm R72 which I think will not be cheap?

[rizraz]

Originally Posted by sherchoo I think I would be getting something else to do IR. Was researching on Cokin P007 but the cost for the whole set will cost about $70 for 82mm. I'm wondering if there's a more cost effective method or should I invest in a 82mm R72 which I think will not be cheap?

For Cokin P007, I don't think you need the whole set...... If I am not mistaken, somebody correct me if I am wrong, you need to kind of hand-hold the filter close to the lens, as the filter holder might not work for IR photography.... light creep in creating hotspots.

Could you start off with a smaller filter thread? 82mm R72 will cost you a bomb.

btw, looking at your photo. You need to do a custom white balance. Check the stickies.

[sherchoo]

Originally Posted by rizraz For Cokin P007, I don't think you need the whole set...... If I am not mistaken, somebody correct me if I am wrong, you need to kind of hand-hold the filter close to the lens, as the filter holder might not work for IR photography.... light creep in creating hotspots. Could you start off with a smaller filter thread? 82mm R72 will cost you a bomb. btw, looking at your photo. You need to do a custom white balance. Check the stickies.

My 17-35mm is the only usable lense for landscape. The next shortest one I have is 24-135mm which is 72mm which I think which is quite pointless since I use the 17-35mm primrily for most of my landscape shooting.

I'll give it another try on the CWB and see if the IR filter is still usable.