928-379-0426
INFRARED FILM
By: Tom Polek
      There is a lot of information about infrared photography.  I'm not going to bore you with a technical tips page about infrared film.  What I am going to give you is a tips page full of practical information  you can use to get started.
© Tom Polek
                                                                                                         Photo By: Tom Polek    

 
HANDLING  INFRARED  FILM
     Infrared film should be stored in the refrigerator until your ready to use it (not the freezer). When your ready to shoot, put your film out at room temperature for an hour, before loading the film. Infrared must be loaded and unloaded in total darkness. The shelf life of infrared film is about half that of regular black & white films. Generally expiration dates will be less then one year from the time of purchase. Make sure that the film you are purchasing has been stored in a refrigerator.

      A number 25 red filter is recommended for shooting infrared. You can use a lighter red, orange or yellow filter if you don't have the #25. But your results will not be as intense. The red filter reacts with the blue sky and creates a very dark, almost black sky. When there are white clouds this can be a very dramatic effect.

 

CAMERA  EQUIPMENT
     Not all cameras can be used with infrared film. Some automatic cameras have an infrared beam on the inside of the camera that allows the computer to read the information from the canister and also helps the film advance correctly. This can cause fogging along the bottom of your roll of infrared film. This occurs on some automatic cameras but not all ( read your manual for more information).
 
     One of the other wonderful features we have come to rely on with automatic cameras is the auto focus feature. You can't use auto focus with infrared. You will have to manually focus or use a zone focusing system. Some cameras have a red dot on the lens. If you read your manual it will explain how to focus and then move your lens back to the red dot for a sharp image.  What ever your choice for focusing remember practice makes perfect. You're probably not going to get it just right on the first try, but with a little practice you'll be well rewarded.
 
      If you are using a camera that has a window on the back, to view the film canister, you will need to cover this with black electrical tape to prevent light from fogging the film. Keep in mind; you should never see the metal canister of your roll of infrared. If you do, chances are you've probably fogged your film.
 
     We really recommend using an older, all manual, camera for infrared. It eliminates all of the problems associated with automatic cameras.

© Tom Polek
                                                                                              Photo By: Tom Polek

 
WHAT  TO  LOOK  FOR  WHEN  SHOOTING  INFRARED
     The ideal conditions for shooting infrared, in my opinion, would be a bright sunny day with lots of  white puffy clouds. Air temperature around 75°F. This allows the film to show off its best properties.

     Infrared reacts with plant life, which gives off its own natural heat through photosynthesis. Living plants, usually green, will appear very light, almost white with infrared film. This is what gives infrared its dreamy quality. Dead wood does not react with infrared and thus stays the same dark color as it appears in true life. Winter can also cause plants to go dormant and not produce the same amount of heat through photosynthesis and thus not react with the infrared film in the same way as during a warm spring day. You need to take all of these things into considerations when choosing the right conditions to shoot infrared film.

     Infrared is very sensitive to heat, so try to avoid shooting under extreme conditions. Temperatures over 90°F, can cause film to fog. Don't leave your camera in a closed car on a hot day where temperatures can also rise to unacceptable levels. By the same token don't leave your camera in the refrigerator when you're not using it. The best thing to do is keep your film and camera at room temperature until your ready to shoot. Don't leave a roll of infrared film in your camera for a long time. Shoot it, and process it, as soon as possible. It does not have the same stable qualities as other black & white films.


© Tom Polek
              Photo By: Tom Polek
© Tom Polek
             Photo By: Tom Polek

     
     Overcast days will give an overall gray appearance to skies. You need clear blue sky to react with the red filter to get a dark sky.

     Shooting people with infrared film does not change their skin color. Skin appears very smooth. There sometimes can be a soft aura around the person, which is normal for infrared.

     Some dark fabrics that have a certain type of silk in them will appear very light.

     Keep in mind that plants are going to give you the most dramatic effects with infrared, so try to incorporate plants or trees in your images.

     Infrared is a very unstable film. Streaking, fogging and light flares are not uncommon. Even when all the right steps are followed, and under the best conditions. this film can still react unpredictably.
www.blackandwhitelab.com