Introduction to Infrared

• Near IR (730-900 nm) NIR
• Far IR (900-1200 nm)
• Thermal IR (6000-7200 nm) - National Geographic

Tim's NIR photos used during the presentation.

IR Normally Invisible to Humans - When we can see it - reflected

• NIR- White is White,
• Black is Black (Neutrals)
• Greens are different shades of white,
• Blues are different shades of black &
• Reds are shades of gray
• Used In TV Remotes & Some Flash Guns
• Used in Agriculture to detect diseased trees and Plants

Ways of Rendering NIR Images

• Film Cameras (Special IR Film,
  • Difficulty Loading Film, Focusing
  • Problems & Expensive Processing)
• Film IR Experience-
  • Ag. Folks can detect Diseased Plants w/Aerial IR
• Digital Cameras- Much less involved,
  • No special film,
  • No focusing problems,
  • but all have hot or IR blocking mirrors
• P&S often are better (Discuss) than DSLR
• Digital Cameras I’ve Used-method to determine if camera can see IR
• DSLR’s need to be modified generally to work well for NIR- Pros & Cons
• If using the IR filters on an unmodified DSLR- expect focusing difficulties & Long exposure times
• Some cameras that can be used – with filter sizes
  • Nikon 950/990 28mm
  • Sony MiniDV camcorder 37mm
  • Canon DV camcorder 30.5mm
  • Sony Cybershot 5.0 MP (DSC-F707) 58mm

Needed to Shoot Digital NIR

• P&S Digital Camera with IR Filter
• DSLR with Filter (Unmodified)
• Tripod a necessity with the above two
• Modified DSLR (Hot or Blocking Filter removed & replaced with IR Filter) - Tripod unnecessary, no focusing difficulties

Filters for NIR

• Wratten 89-B- very dark, black-red filterbest for most Digital Cameras. Produces a mild “IR Look” & yet gives useful speed response to the camera
• Wratten 87 is a typical black IR Filter which scarcely lets any visible light thru
• There are other IR Filters- these are the most commonly used
• Best overall source of IR Filters- Harrison & Harrison Filters. Since they are not web based you will need to call them to place an order

Harrison and Harrison
1835 Thunderbolt Drive, Unit E
Porterville, CA 93257
559-782-0121
email:HarrisonOP@aol.com

Why Shoot In IR?

• Images often More Interesting & dramatic
• IR cuts through haze
• Pictures of people hide blemishes and provide a softer look- Used more now for weddings & yearbooks
• Shows more detail in many instances

Post Processing of NIR Images

• Can Use PS or PSE primarily Levels & change the Mode from color to grayscale
• Also interesting to play with various filters and Blending modes

Reference Links for More Information

• Shooting IR with Digital Cameras
• IR basics for digital photographers
• Digital Reflected UV and IR Photography
• OnTarget: NIR Tutorial
• Near IR Imaging
• Imaging the Invisible
• Seeing beyond the visible

NOW THAT WE HAVE THE NUTS & BOLTS OF IR DOWN PAT-LET’S LOOK AT WHAT THIS UNIQUE & UNUSUAL TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPHY LOOKS LIKE!