Infrared Capture and Resolution

Today’s Post by Joe Farace

One of the tips that I always give to photographers interested in shooting infrared photographs and preferring to use a IR-converted camera instead of on-camera filters—the slow shutter speeds can be an issue— is to convert one of their older cameras The theory being that you’re not using it anyway, why not get a unique use from something that’s probably not worth that much anyway. On the plus side, IR conversion probably adds to the value both as a camera and in real-world value when you decide to sell it.

I’ve always envied photographers who had the budget to get the very latest high-end cameras infrared converted in order to create the highest possible resolution images, at least until the next model comes along. But most of us don’t have that kind of budget, so that’s why I think my suggestion is a good one.

One way I get around resolution anxiety is to shoot in RAW format. In fact I shoot in RAW+JPEG mode with the camera set in Monochrome so I use the on-LCD image as a visual proof but process the RAW file for my final photograph. For more information on the process I use, check out this post on our sister blog, Saving the World, One Pixel @ a Time. I expect that as Mark shoots more images with his LifePixel converted Lumix GX7, he’ll share how he does it and I’m betting it’s different from what I do.

The above image was made using my second IR-converted camera, a Panasonic Lumix G6. Lens for the above shot was a Lumix G Varios 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 with an exposure was 1/500 sec at f/11 and ISO 400 and converted to monochrome using Silver Efex Pro and platinum toned in PhotoKit 2.

Try infrared photography for yourself by having a cameras that’s just sitting around gathering dust converted to IR-only operation. You can save some processing time when having your camera converted to infrared by LifePixel b y using the coupon code “farace.”

My book, “ The Complete Guide to Infrared Photography” is currently out of print but you can get an bargain-priced used copy or not-so-affordable new copies of the book from Amazon.com.