/ Register

Infrared filter?

Discussion in 'B&W: Film, Paper, Chemistry' started by Sherrie Kuehlein, Aug 17, 2004.

Thread Tools

Thread Tools

  1. Aug 17, 2004 #1
    Sherrie Kuehlein

    Sherrie Kuehlein Member

    Messages:
    19
    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2004
    Location:
    Toronto, Ont
    Shooter:
    35mm
    I don't have much experience with infrared, and I was thinking of shooting a still-life in front of a backdrop. If I use a black backdrop, is there a filter I should be using to make the black appear darker and richer?
     
  2. Aug 17, 2004 #2
    sparx

    sparx Member

    Messages:
    376
    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2004
    Location:
    Norfolk UK
    Shooter:
    Medium Format
    Depending on the film you are using you should use a dark red or even a dedicated infra red filter to get the required results. The individual film manufactures data sheets should be able to tell you what is required.
     
  3. Aug 17, 2004 #3
    Jon Butler

    Jon Butler Subscriber

    Messages:
    220
    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2004
    Location:
    LONDON
    Shooter:
    4x5 Format
    A red filter is the your best starting point, my choice is an Ilford SFX filter but if your using an SLR you can not see though it.

    JON
     
  4. Aug 17, 2004 #4
    Robert Kennedy

    Robert Kennedy Member

    Messages:
    746
    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2002
    Location:
    Just north o
    Shooter:
    Medium Format
    Good choice there.

    The thing with IR is that the more visible light you take OUT the weirder the effect is. Remember that IR film will pick up normal light too. So the less of that there is, the better. Hence they had dedicated IR filters, mostly for work with Kodak HIE which to us are opaque! Very effective. But a bitch to focus with.

    As to the backdrop....that depends. If you take out all the visible light you may get something, for various reasons that is either darker or lighter than you expected. This is where you will need to experiment. When you shoot IR without visible light, you get some strange effects. Look at plants.

    Grass goes white, some leaves go dark, some white, I mean it is all over the place. So shoot and see what you get.
     
  5. Aug 17, 2004 #5
    glbeas

    glbeas Member

    Messages:
    3,297
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2002
    Location:
    Roswell, Ga.
    Shooter:
    Multi Format
    That black backdrop may surprise you. Quite a few synthetic fabrics dyed black simply look white in infrared. A little testing is in order, though natural materials are more likely to exhibit little tonal shift.
     
  6. Aug 17, 2004 #6
    wdemere

    wdemere Member

    Messages:
    85
    Joined:
    May 11, 2004
    Shooter:
    35mm
  7. Aug 17, 2004 #7
    jim kirk jr.

    jim kirk jr. Member

    Messages:
    743
    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2004
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Shooter:
    35mm
    One more idea,depending if you want to use natural light only.shoot outside-if you can find a location with the sun at your back,depending upon film and filter used(also depending upon what you want to shoot and if it can be placed on something)you can use the sky if it's blue as a backdrop.just don't include the bottom of the horizon as it may fade to grey then white.