Digital Infrared Photography Primer

 Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction to infrared photography

History of infrared photography

• Discovery of IR light
• Development of infrared film
• Development of digital cameras

Applications/uses

1. Medicine
2. Military
3. Astronomy
4. Botany
5. Ecology
6. Forensics
7. Law enforcement
8. Art

Chapter 2 – Basic Theory

The electromagnetic spectrum

1. Ultraviolet light
2. Visible light
3. Near infrared light
4. Far infrared light
5. Color is reflected light

• How humans see color
• How photography film records light
• How digital camera sensors record light
• Light sources

 

• Sunlight
• Tungsten light
• Flouresent light
• HID light
• Electronic flash light

• How filters work
• How light waves focus at different points

1. Infrared focus marks on lenses

3 – Film Infrared Photography

1. Film choices
2. Film sensitivity
3. Film handling
4. Camera choices
5. Filter choices
6. Focus techniques
7. Exposure methods
8. Reciprocity

4 – Digital Infrared Photography

• Advantages over film photography

1. Sensitivity
2. Grain
3. Glow
4. Mobility
5. Focus
6. Previews
7. Costs
8. Handling
9. Manipulation

• Choosing a camera

1. IR sensitivity
2. How to test
3. Sensor type
4. CCD/CMOS
5. Sensor Size
6. Hot mirror filter
7. Stock vs modified

 

• No external filters needed
• No filter adapters for P&S cameras needed
• See through DSLR viewfinder normaly
• Much brighter P&S camera preview image
• Autofocus / manual focus works normaly
• More consistent exposure
• No tripod needed
• Better ISO speeds

• Do it yourself or Professionaly

1. DIY modification
2. Professional modification

• DSLR vs point & shoot

1. Portability
2. Image quality
3. Lens choices
4. Lens speed
5. Hot spots
6. Ability to attach filters

• Costs
• Upgrades

Lenses

• P & S wide angle adapters
• SLR lenses
• IR focusing
• Custom calibration for converted cameras
• Hot spots
• Wide angle distortions

External filters

1. IR filters
2. ND filters
3. Polarizing filters

Internal filters for modified cameras

1. Deep BW Infrared Filter
2. Standard Color Infrared Filter
3. Enhanced Color Infrared Filter
4. Super Color Infrared Filter
5. Super Blue Infrared Filter
6. Full Spectrum (UV/IR/Visible) Filter

5 – Infrared Shooting Techniques

Importance of white balance

1. Setting white balance

Importance of RAW file capture

1. Photoshop RAW vs OEM RAW software

Focusing considerations
Exposure
Tripod
Filters
Electronic Flash

Conventional
Modified to IR