Simulate Infrared in Photoshop?

[John Calendo #19958]

I understand that my CP 990 is not able to create an infrared film effect. (I'm told the color sensitivity in the 950 was less exacting and so the effect could be approximated with certain filters.)

Okay, you Photoshop Gods and Goddesses. Is there a method for recreating this effect in Photoshop? And if so, has anyone turned it into an "action" ?

John-- TELL IT LIKE IT TIS!
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
"Like so many Americans,
she was trying to construct a life
that made sense
from the things she found in gift shops."
--Kurt Vonnegut,
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

 

[Kurt20127]

Hi John, funny Vonnegut line, and interesting question. I wish digicams were sensitive to IR--that would make for some interesting photos, but might make to ccd a little finicky to heat.

Conventional color IR film records the heat output (IR), and creates images that have color ranges based on the differing amounts of IR radiated from subjects in the field of view. While photoshop cannot map colors to subjects in the same way as IR film can, you can create some interesting color effects by going into the “Curves” dialog box and modify the color curves in each of the R,G,B channels to create a picture with some of the dramatic color contrasts you see in IR film. Another method would be to try inversing individual color channels, while “Solarizing” others.

Photoshop offers lots of possibilities--have fun!
--Curt

 

[Buddy17106]

Hi John,

Outdoor Photograper magazine, September, 1999 had an article about using Photoshop to simulate B&W infrared. You can probably order a back issue at

http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/content/currentissue/index.html

Bud

 

[Michael11945]

I understand that my CP 990 is not able to create an infrared film
effect. (I'm told the color sensitivity in the 950 was less exacting and
so the effect could be approximated with certain filters.)

Okay, you Photoshop Gods and Goddesses. Is there a method for recreating
this effect in Photoshop? And if so, has anyone turned it into an
"action" ?

John
--
TELL IT LIKE IT TIS!
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
"Like so many Americans,
she was trying to construct a life
that made sense
from the things she found in gift shops."
--Kurt Vonnegut,
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

If you really want this effect try http://www.photogenetics.com alternatively YOU CAN USE AN INFRARED filter with the 990 http://www.ckcpower.com should have them in a couple of days.

regards Micahel

 

[John Calendo #19958]

Thanks to all for these suggestions.

John

 

[Derek Clarke]

Firstly, digicams are sensitive to IR.

All CCDs are inherently sensitive to IR, and the filter material used for the colour filtration lets at least some IR through irrespective of the colour of the filter.

It's only cameras like the DCS520 and D1 that have extra IR cut filters to prevent the CCD being affected. Most consumer digicams will work quite well with either a Wratten 87 or Wratten 89.

Then once you have a mono IR image you can use that plus a full colour picture of the same scene to simulate any of the classic colour infrared effects in Photoshop.

For instance the effect of Ektachrome Infrared with a Wratten 12 filter can be simulated by taking the colour picture and replacing the blue channel with the infra-red image, giving an imitation of the green, red and infra-red sensitivity of this combination. Adjust the relative density to suit.

Hi John, funny Vonnegut line, and interesting question. I wish digicams
were sensitive to IR--that would make for some interesting photos, but
might make to ccd a little finicky to heat.

Conventional color IR film records the heat output (IR), and creates
images that have color ranges based on the differing amounts of IR
radiated from subjects in the field of view. While photoshop cannot map
colors to subjects in the same way as IR film can, you can create some
interesting color effects by going into the “Curves” dialog box and
modify the color curves in each of the R,G,B channels to create a picture
with some of the dramatic color contrasts you see in IR film. Another
method would be to try inversing individual color channels, while
“Solarizing” others.

Photoshop offers lots of possibilities--have fun!
--Curt

 

[Nisei]

I have made quite a few Photoshop images of which even an experienced infrared photographer thought they were taken with Kodak Infrared color film and an orange filter. It's not very difficult but not all pictures are suitable.

 

[Ken23953]

Thanks to all for these suggestions.

John

John,

While I have read of difficulty using the CP990 for NEAR Infrared photography, I understand that there has been some success with it. The following site is a good starting point for general IR info:
http://www.cocam.co.uk/CoCamWS/Infrared/INFRARED.HTM

They only list the CP990 under failures, but I could swear I found a success elsewhere.

One thing the site misses is the best test going for digicam IR capability. It is very easy to test for an IR blocking hot mirror. You only need two things; your camera and any IR remote control for a TV, stereo, etc.

First, power up your digicam and activate the LCD viewer. Then simply place the remote control in the camera's field of view aiming the IR LED of the remote at the camera. Press any bottun on the remote and if the camera can 'see' near IR you will see a white light flash on the remote control when viewed on the digicam LCD.

If your camera can see the IR remote, then it is just a matter of finding the right filters for your CCD. Probably start with an 89B or a 25(which lets through some red). My Olympus D450Z works fine with either an 89B or an 87.

 

[Price for s1]

Goto adjustments and pick hue and saturation.

When the dialog box opens click on colorize.

Bring the saturation up, do an extreme move.
Now play with the hue and lightness darkeness.

Play with the image till you get the desired effect.
This is the simplest fastest way to get your effect.

MAKE SURE THAT THE PREVIEW BOX IS CHECKED IN THE DIALOG BOX!!!!

You may also want to blur your image using gaussian blur. Some infared
images are blurry because they work based on radiated heat. The less
sensitive the device or film the blurrier the image. The more sensitive the
sharper.

 

[Jerry Lockard]

Ken

You are absolutely right. While the 950 will work with the 87 or 89 filter, the 990 will work fine, although at long exposure time, with a Wratten 89 filter.

Check out

http://www.pixelagogo.com/Nikon990.html

in particular look at their ongoing forum there as there is a lot of discussion from users. I ordered both Wratten 87 and 89 lenses for both standard and wide angle from Harrison (discussed on the forum) and have been very happy with them -- I use both on the 950, with the 87 giving more contrast; but, the 89 works fine with the 990