Technique

The images in the Beyond Red galleries were captured with a Nikon 950 digital camera fitted with an infrared pass filter. The filters used and their spectral characteristics are shown in the following table:

The visible light spectrum extends from approximately 400 - 700 nanometers, so essentially all visible light is excluded by these filters. The 87C filter produces images with high contrast, deep black skies, and bright white foliage. The 87 and 89B filters give a lower contrast image, but with a smoother tonal scale. This series of comparison images illustrates the range of tonal values that can be obtained by using different infrared filters. Imaging with only available infrared light yields slow shutter speeds, requiring the use of a tripod and employment of the self timer for shutter release to prevent camera movement during exposure. Exposure was determined using the auto matrix metering mode of the Nikon 950 and the camera was set to black&white mode with the flash function disabled. Image composition of the infrared scene was evaluated "live" on the camera's LCD, using a Peak 4x loupe to shade the LCD from the sun. Adobe Photoshop was used to convert images to greyscale mode, optimize size for web display (original images are 1600x1200 pixels), and adjust levels & contrast. A Kaidan Kiwi tripod pan head was used to take series of overlapping images (in portrait mode) which were subsequently stitched together in PhotoVista for creation of panoramas and QTVR movies. This is also a good way to create high resolution landscape images for printing. For example, I usually make prints that are 11x17 inches which have an aspect ratio of about 1.55. A single 1600x1200 image has an aspect ratio of only 1.33 and would require considerable cropping to fit my desired print size. I take anywhere between 3 to 5 overlapping images in portrait mode so that my final image size after stitching is about 2500x1600 pixels, which is the correct aspect ratio for printing and about twice the resolution of a single frame. Genuine Fractals is also used to scale up images for subsequent printing at large sizes.

Prints

I am currently using an Epson Stylus Photo 1270 inkjet printer with Epson OEM inks to produce prints on Epson heavyweight matte photo paper. These prints are attractive and quite similar in appearance to silver based matte photo prints. The Epson Stylus Fhoto 1270 printer can produce near archival quality (25+ years longevity, based on Wilhem's research) prints on Epson heavyweight matte photo paper up to 13x19 inches in size. I cannot sell prints via this web site, but if you are interested in purchasing a print, please email your request identifying the image by name and size desired and I'll send you additional information.