Infrared Photography, the Basics
I’ve been doing a lot of research into Infrared photography and there doesn’t seem to be a single place that contains all of it, so here is what I found:
With DSLRs there are three types of IR Techniques.
- Photoshop
- Converted Bodies
- Filters
Photoshop: Techniques do exist to “imitate” IR photography. This is a trick and cannot reproduce the amazing images that you can get from IR itself.
Converted Bodies: The main reason that IR photography is not readily available to us is that all DSLR cameras have a IR Filter that blocks most of the IR light from the sensor. Method #3 is to physically remove this filter from in front of the sensor. This conversion is destructive, and that body is not longer able to take normal pictures again, it can only take IR images. Yes, this means you have to carry yet another body with you everywhere you go, but this is the best possible image you can get. A typical conversion (there are two or three different kinds) is around $250. The positives are endless, Auto Focus Works, Exposure Controls work (somewhat, you still need to adjust exposure compensation), you can see the image in your Preview Window as it is, you can use it with any lens you like (even fish eye or long zooms that don’t accept filters or use drop ins).
Filters: They are expensive, but can be used and unused as you like. The draw backs to filters are:
- They’re expensive (did I say that already?)
- Hoya R72 IR Filter, 52mm – 77mm ($90 – $210 respectively)
- B+W 093 IR Filter, 52mm – 77mm ($114 – $203 respectively)
- Tiffen 87 IR Filter, 52mm – 77mm ($106 – $153 respectively)
- With Filters, you have to use very long exposures (as most of the light is blocked by the IR filter of the camera.
- Only certain scenes can be captured (because of the duration required)
- AF is disabled (you can’t see anything once you put the filter on) — You have to compose your shot, put on the filter and hope nothing moves, than take the shot.
- Exposure Control is disabled.
- You have to use a tripod – since you get only a small % of the light you need very long exposures (10″-30″, 30″+ second exposure are typical).
In the next few posts, I’ll delve more into each of these items in more detail.
