Searching for the Unseen Light

For years I have relished in the gritty beauty of Infrared film.  The images contain a heavenly glow of exposure from a spectrum that the eyes cannot see.  Human vision is sensitive to about the wavelength of 700 nm.  Infrared film may capture energy up to 900nm, 200 nm beyond what we see.

The moodiness of these beautiful glowing secret images, never seen before by man, is the attraction of the Infrared photo.  The efforts required to complete a good Infrared film image is high, however.  The film must be kept refrigerated, it must be loaded into a Infrared safe transport system camera (one without internal led sprocket reading transport systems) in total darkness, kept cool and out of excessive heat while shooting in the field, unloaded in total darkness (which usually means only one roll a day may be loaded and exposed), and handled and processed with special regard by the lab.  To give emphasis to the spectral response of the film a red filter #25, #29 or the totally opaque #87 must be used.  These filters may be purchased or ordered from pictureline for the size of your lens.  Obviously the difficulty of using an opaque filter cannot be overstated, since you cannot see the subject through the lens at the time of exposure.  Despite all of the inconveniences, photographers continue to use the film for the image it produces.

Most digital cameras cannot see or sense Infrared because of an internal IR (infrared) blocking filter.  To test to see if your camera is capable of recording IR, point the TV remote into the camera lens, push a button on the remote and observe the LCD screen of a digital point and shoot or take a picture with a digital SLR and review.  If you see or record a glowing white dot from the remote then your camera is capable of IR photos.  If you do not see or record a white dot more camera attention is required.  If your camera can sense IR, compose your image and place a #87 filter over the lens and have fun.

Well, if you are attracted to the look, but put off by the incredible hassle or your camera cannot sense Infrared, your time has come.  Check out www.irdigital.net for the requirements of having a digital camera permanently modified for Infrared use.  The camera surgery removes the IR blocking filter and replaces it with an internal #87 filter for about $350.00 plus your camera body.  This is a huge advantage, since the filter is installed below the viewing system of the camera.  You can freely see through the camera at all times yet IR images are captured without all of the attendant hardware hassles.

The moody look is almost identical to that produced from Infrared film.  The skies are black and the trees glow with beauty and majesty.  Skin glows.  The film grain is not exactly the same as digital artifacts, but digital editing can replace the grain exactly.

If you have been searching for a way to expedite the IR experience this is for you.  This is just another way for you to enjoy the beauty of your photography.

Presented by askRodger@pictureline.com

digital IR capture