I. Understanding Infrared Photography
* What is Infrared? Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths slightly longer than visible light. Humans can't see it, but many digital camera sensors *can* detect it.
* The IR Effect: IR light behaves differently from visible light. In landscape photography, this translates to:
* Bright foliage: Chlorophyll in plants reflects IR strongly, making foliage appear almost snow-white.
* Dark Skies: Skies typically render very dark, sometimes almost black. This is due to the way IR light is scattered by the atmosphere.
* Hazy Effects: IR can penetrate haze and fog more effectively than visible light, leading to clearer images under certain conditions.
* Unique Texture: Surfaces often exhibit textures and details not readily apparent in visible light.
* Why Black and White? While you can produce color IR images (by color balancing), most photographers prefer black and white. The stark contrasts, ethereal qualities, and often surreal tones lend themselves beautifully to monochrome processing.
II. Choosing a Camera
* Full-Spectrum vs. Dedicated IR Conversion:
* Full-Spectrum Conversion: The internal IR-blocking filter (hot mirror) is removed and replaced with clear glass. This allows the sensor to capture all light, including IR, visible, and UV. Requires filters (IR, visible light) to isolate the desired wavelengths. More versatile but requires more work.
* Dedicated IR Conversion: The IR-blocking filter is replaced with an IR pass filter (e.g., 720nm, 830nm, 850nm). This blocks visible light and only allows specific wavelengths of IR light to reach the sensor. Easier to use than full-spectrum, as it allows the camera to be used for IR photography directly.
* Camera Qualities to Consider:
* Live View: Essential for composing and focusing, as you won't be able to see through the viewfinder.
* Mirrorless vs. DSLR: Mirrorless cameras are generally preferred for IR conversion because they often have more accurate focus through the sensor. DSLRs can sometimes have focusing issues with IR light. However, a Live View DSLR will work.
* Older Cameras: Often, older cameras are good candidates for conversion as they can be found at a lower price point.
* Sensor Size: APS-C or Full Frame are both suitable. Full-frame offers advantages in dynamic range and low-light performance.
* Megapixels: Don't get hung up on megapixels. 12-24MP is usually plenty for landscape work.
* Popular Camera Models for IR Conversion:
* Sony a6000 series (mirrorless APS-C)
* Sony a7 series (mirrorless full frame)
* Nikon D7000 series, D5000 series (DSLR APS-C)
* Canon EOS Rebel series (DSLR APS-C)
* Canon EOS 5D series (DSLR Full Frame)
* Fujifilm X-series (mirrorless APS-C)
III. The Conversion Process
* DIY vs. Professional Conversion:
* DIY (Do It Yourself): Requires a high degree of technical skill, patience, and specialized tools. Risk of damaging your camera. NOT recommended for beginners. Lots of tutorials are available online, but proceed with extreme caution.
* Professional Conversion: Strongly recommended. Companies specialize in camera conversions. The cost varies depending on the camera model and type of conversion.
* Professional Conversion Companies:
* Kolari Vision: One of the most reputable and well-known companies. Offers a wide range of services and filters.
* Life Pixel: Another highly regarded company offering professional conversions.
* Spencer's Camera and Photo: A well-established option with a good reputation.
* What to Expect During the Conversion:
1. Disassembly: The camera is carefully disassembled in a clean, anti-static environment.
2. Filter Removal: The original hot mirror filter is removed.
3. Filter Installation: The chosen replacement filter (clear glass for full-spectrum, IR pass filter for dedicated IR) is installed.
4. Reassembly: The camera is carefully reassembled and tested.
5. Calibration: Some companies calibrate the autofocus system after conversion.
IV. Using an IR-Converted Camera
* White Balance:
* Custom White Balance: Essential for consistent results. Use a piece of green foliage or gray card under direct sunlight to set a custom white balance. This will provide a starting point for your color balance adjustments in post-processing. It's crucial to do this regularly, as lighting conditions change. Full spectrum converted cameras are more sensitive to changes in lighting than cameras with dedicated filters.
* Auto White Balance (AWB): Usually produces unpredictable and inconsistent results.
* Focusing:
* Live View: Use Live View for accurate focusing, especially with mirrorless cameras.
* Focus Peaking (if available): A helpful tool to ensure sharp focus.
* Manual Focus: Sometimes necessary, especially in low-light situations.
* Focus Shift: Infrared light focuses slightly differently than visible light. Some lenses may exhibit a focus shift. Test your lenses to determine if this is an issue. Stop down the aperture slightly (e.g., f/8) to increase depth of field and compensate for minor focus errors.
* Exposure:
* Metering: Camera meters are designed for visible light, so they may not be accurate with IR. Experiment and use your histogram to ensure proper exposure.
* Shoot in RAW: Capturing images in RAW format is essential for post-processing flexibility.
* Longer Exposures: IR photography often requires longer exposures than visible light photography, especially in low light. Use a tripod.
* Filters (for Full-Spectrum Conversion):
* IR Pass Filters (720nm, 830nm, 850nm): Block visible light and allow specific IR wavelengths to pass through. Different wavelengths produce different effects.
* Visible Light Filters: Allow you to use the camera for regular photography.
* UV Filters: Can be used for UV photography (requires UV lenses as well).
V. Post-Processing
* Software: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, Silver Efex Pro (Nik Collection) are all suitable.
* Workflow:
1. RAW Conversion: Open the RAW file in your chosen software.
2. White Balance Adjustment: Fine-tune the white balance based on your custom white balance setting. You may need to adjust the color temperature and tint sliders significantly.
3. Channel Mixer (Photoshop): The channel mixer is a powerful tool for adjusting the tones in IR images. In the Red channel increase Red, decrease Green and Blue. In the Blue Channel, increase Blue, decrease Green and Red. A good starting point is Red channel: Red +100, Green -50, Blue -50 and in the Blue channel: Blue +100, Green -50, Red -50.
4. Black and White Conversion: Convert the image to black and white.
5. Contrast and Tone Adjustments: Adjust the contrast, highlights, shadows, and whites/blacks to achieve the desired look. Use curves and levels adjustments for precise control.
6. Dodge and Burn: Selectively lighten or darken areas to emphasize details and create depth.
7. Sharpening: Apply sharpening to enhance details.
8. Noise Reduction: Reduce noise, especially in shadow areas.
9. Spot Removal: Remove any dust spots or blemishes.
* Key Post-Processing Techniques:
* Contrast Enhancement: Maximize the contrast between the bright foliage and the dark sky.
* Tone Mapping: Use tone mapping techniques to reveal details in both the highlights and shadows.
* Split Toning: Add subtle color casts to the highlights and shadows.
* Selective Color Adjustments: Fine-tune the tones in specific areas of the image.
* Silver Efex Pro: A dedicated black and white conversion plugin (part of the Nik Collection) with powerful tools for creating stunning monochrome images.
VI. Tips and Tricks
* Experiment with Filters: Try different IR pass filters to see how they affect the image.
* Shoot in Sunny Conditions: IR photography works best in bright sunlight.
* Look for Foliage: Areas with abundant foliage will produce the most dramatic results.
* Consider the Composition: Pay attention to composition and look for interesting shapes, lines, and textures.
* Practice, Practice, Practice: IR photography has a learning curve. Experiment and don't be afraid to try new things.
* Protect your sensor: When changing lenses, ensure the camera sensor is protected.
VII. Conclusion
Converting a camera to infrared for black and white landscape photography is a rewarding experience. It allows you to see the world in a different light and create images that are both beautiful and unique. While the conversion process can be complex, the results are well worth the effort. Remember to research thoroughly, choose a reputable conversion company, and practice your post-processing skills to create stunning IR landscapes. Good luck and enjoy the journey!