infrared camera experiments
Master Digital Infrared photography with your Nikon digital SLR
The Nikon D70 SLR is great for digital infrared photography mainly due to the force of the custom settings. I'm going to take a few moments to let you see what the camera settings I use for my digital infrared images and hopefully help you achieve the best results from your Nikon digital SLR.
First thing - get a tripod, this is more or less a must for a perfect infrared images, and the infrared filter of your choice - I like the Hoya R72.
Next, some time to plan your digital infrared photos. Given the time to do this beforehand will help eliminate some of the uncertainties of the digital infrared photography, which can result in only an ok photo, instead of a WOW! picture.
As always with these things, is no one right way to achieve results. But these steps are ones I've had the most success with my D70 so far.
Image Type
For digital infrared photography, I really prefer to shoot in RAW mode. Although NEF Nikon's own format is so versatile, just do not get the high quality of the RAW mode, and any deficiencies can always be edited using Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro.
ISO
Good results can be achieved by increasing the ISO setting, but I have the best results when I leave it at 200. Otherwise the noise is just too big - At least in my opinion. I also do a fair amount of post processing in Photo Shop, so noise is a problem when working at higher magnifications. Remember, unlike infrared film, where the granularity is part of the look and feel of the image, infrared digital "grain" or noise actually degrades your image. If you want to add the look of grainy film, do it in Photoshop or another image editing program.
White balance
In my experience, setting a custom white balance is a key to good digital infrared photography with the Nikon D70. Because you are using a filter that blocks most "normal" light, white of the internal camera compensation mechanism can not provide you with an accurate measurement of the temperature of your environment. Since foliage reflects IR light, making it the brightest, whitest part of your photo, you must "calibrate" your D70 to know that visible light is green equals white infrared.
There are a few ways to do this.
NUMBER 1: The simplest method using white balance of the D70 is your menu, use the control key to Flip the white balance setting, and change it to fluorescent 3. As for infrared photography you will most likely shoot in bright sunlight with a "red" filter, adding a number of false color correction in the camera, seems to give your final IR images more "punch." I also found the burning body works.
NUMBER 2: Another way to adjust white balance for digital infrared photography with the Nikon D70 is a picture of green grass take afternoon in the full Sun Only the grass - no feet, no trees, no sky. Just point your camera the grass looks straight down, and click! Now, in your menu, you white balance of this picture. So go to your menu, select the white balance,> preset> use photo> select image> use knob to navigate to the image of the grass (hopefully it is the only credit cards easy to make). Your menu should say "this image> set. "Now you're ready to shoot infrared!
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