Fun with IR

On a recent trip to California, I tried out some digital infrared (IR) photography for the first time.  All it involves is a IR filter, like a Hoya 72, a tripod and some patience.  If you're using an unmodified digital camera, like I did, you just have to use fairly long exposures (30 sec - 1 min) since the manufacturers place a "hot filter" to specifically block IR.  These long exposures are also why a tripod is pretty much a necessity.

After taking the photo, you pretty much have two options (1) convert to black and white or (2) do some additional tweaking for a color IR image.  

If you convert to black and white you don't have to worry about fixing the color balance due to the red IR filter.  As you might expect with a deep red filter, the images are very contrasty and greens (like trees and grass) will be white and blue skies will be darker.

Going the color route, it's handy if you have a sample shot with a white card of some sort, then you can just use the auto white balance in tools such as iPhoto or Aperture.  If that's all you do, you'll be left with something similar to the first image below. Again, the greens are white (though mine have a bit of a blue overcast) and the blue skies are darkened.  If you want something a bit more dramatic you can go one step further and switch the red and blue channels using something such as Photoshop (as in the second photo).

All in all, I was pretty happy with the experiment, and can't wait to do some more IR photos this summer, especially of Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum.

"Japanese Tea Garden 1", Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.  Nikon D80, 18-55mm, Hoya R72

"Japanese Tea Garden 2", Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.  Nikon D80, 18-55mm, Hoya R72

 "The Lone Pine", Pebble Beach, CA.  Nikon D80, 18-55mm, Hoya R72

 

 

 

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Little W.

I have to admit, I haven't been taking as many film pictures lately, I finished my last roll off over Christmas.  I did get some nice shots of the wife's family and the kids.  This is one of my favorites from the set.

"LIttle W" Taken with Nikon FG, 50mm f/1.8, Kodak 125PX film

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Four Step Program

You know how blogs go.

Step 1: You think, "everyone else has a blog, I should try that."
Step 2: You actually start a blog, and post religiously for a week.
Step 3: Three months later you remember you had a blog, but can't quite remember the address or password.
Step 4: You decide to renew your vows with said blog.

Welcome to my Step 4.

Here are some pictures I shot with the Holga back in November on the Campus at the University of Dayton. Shot on Arista EDU film, processed with Microphen, but totally screwed up the mixture, making it 1+4, instead of 1+3. I tried to compensate with the development time and ended up with something passable. Of course, if anyone else asks, I didn't mess up, I was "experimenting."

"Saints 3," University of Dayton 11102009 (Holga 120N, Arista EDU)

"Saints 1," University of Dayton 11102009 (Holga 120N, Arista EDU)

"Saints 2," University of Dayton 11102009 (Holga 120N, Arista EDU)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Photo(s) of the Day(s)

"Untitled", Shoup Park 082509 (Nikon FG, Ilford Pan F+, w/ Red R2 filter)

"Wicked Game", Shoup Park 082509 (Nikon FG, Ilford Pan F+, w/ Red R2 filter)

On the Farm

The family and I headed to Aullwood Audobon Center and Farm, in Englewood last weekend. Our oldest really enjoyed getting to see all of the animals and I enjoyed trying my hand at shooting animals (with the camera that is).

On top of that, it let me finish out the roll of film and get to try out the developer I just got in that day.

"Untitled", Englewood 083109 (Nikon FG, Ilford Delta 100 Pro)

"Horseface", Englewood 083109 (Nikon FG, Ilford Delta 100 Pro)

"Untitled", Englewood 083109 (Nikon FG, Ilford Delta 100 Pro)

"How Now Black Cow", Englewood 083109 (Nikon FG, Ilford Delta 100 Pro)

Delivery

I always love getting a box full of goodies delivered to my door. My order from Freestyle Photo arrived today. I highly recommend them, they specialize in film photography supplies, have good prices, and always include a nice little thank you card with every order.

I was running low on developer, so I ordered some Kodak Polymax T and Ilford Microphen. Thus far I've only used Ilford DD-X, so I'm curious to try out both new developers and see how things turn out.

I also ordered some more film, trying to keep a backstock just in case. I'm trying to test out a lot of different films with the hope of finding some favorites. Of course with so many variables (film type, ISO, developer, developing time, and just different photos) it's difficult to be systematic about things. Thus far I think I'm leaning towards Ilford film. I haven't been too impressed with Kodak TMax, but at least it is easy to find. Having said that, I wish I would have read this sooner, I would have bought a few extra rolls of Ilford for the freezer.

This time around I got some Kodak PlusX 125 in 35mm and Arista Ultra and Fomapan in 120, none of which I've tried before. I also go a roll of TMax 3200 which was on sale because of a short expiration date. I've never shot on anything above ISO 800 before, so I'm interested to see how it will turn out. I think I'm going to test it out on my next trip to Vegas for work and get some night time shots.

So what's your favorite film to shoot on?

And the Answer Is ...

If you hadn't already guessed, the first photo in the previous post was from the D80 and the latter was film. All you that got this right win a gold star.

I'm still undecided which I like better. I think each has its merits, independent from the medium it was shot with. I'm just happy I got several good shots with both cameras.

Here are more pictures from the session. Enjoy.