Digital Infrared

Got a new (to me) digital camera, converted for infrared use.  This is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5, which captures images at 830nm.  Simply saying, for a CCD camera, this appears as B&W only.

I’ve shot Kodak IR B&W and Ektachrome in the past, with varying levels of success.  The mantra “bracket, bracket, bracket” holds true with film.

I’ve read the “Complete Guide to Digital Infrared Photography” by Joe Farace.  The best way to get in to this medium seems to be a digital camera converted to IR use only.  This involves physical modification to remove the IR Hot Mirror filter, and in its place, install an IR only filter.

I purchased a modified digital camera to “play around.”  The 830nm wavelength intrigued me, more than 720nm, or the “false color” <700nm conversions that are out there.

My first few exposures told me the purchase wasn’t lost.  But, while you may be able to train yourself (I did once, a long time ago) to “see” in B&W, vision to IR is another step above.

Digital IR also entails post processing with Photoshop to get the best results (at least with the conversion I bought.)  The red-blue swap in PS, with a manipulation of the green channel, yields the best results.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate this weekend, so I can get out and play.  The first few shots can be seen at my Flickr page.

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