I have written multiple articles on infrared processing in Lightroom. I am not going to repeat the process again. But, it may be instructive to compare the results coming from different ways of editing them.
Pawtuxet in Infrared Once More
As you probably guessed, I went to Pawtuxet on a nice day again and photographed around the bridge. I would like to note how little Pawtuxet has changed over the decades I have known it. Yes, the landmark store, Cameron’s, is no longer there, some eateries closed shop, and some new stores moved in. But, all said, the air and texture remained reasonably unchanged. Moving on to the infrared world, let us take a look at different ways of processing the images.
In-Camera Results
I have my Canon M5 camera set to apply its monochrome setting to captured images. The color images on the small screen are very difficult to gauge and judge when shooting infrared. The B&W version at least gives a hint of its tonal structure. As the camera displays the monochrome version to me, it retains the color information for all the frames that I can optionally use in post-processing. Here are the original color and B&W versions of one frame:
Click on the images to see them larger, uncropped, and read their titles.
I should clarify what “original” means as I used it in reference to the above images. The white balance option in Lightroom does not move far enough on its own to render the color you see in the image above. So, all the infrared images I import to Lightroom use a special camera profile as explained in the earlier series. I have applied some tonal adjustments to the images as well. This set presents minimal adjustment options using the camera-applied settings. Most of the frames in all versions retain similar tonal controls except for the special treatment like channel swapping.
Post Processing Results
As I import the images from the card, or after they are in Lightroom, I have a special profile that adjusts for the white balance handicap and also swaps the red and blue channels. The result is somewhat more realistic blues in the sky and water and yellowish or reddish foliage and greens. Using this version, I can convert the image to monochrome and optionally apply some toning to the result. In the conversion to B&W, I use my conversion process which I think is much more flexible than Lightroom’s approach to B&W conversion. I developed that process back in 2008 and still use it today.
For color presentation, the channel-swapped version suits my sensibilities better than the original color. I also prefer the monochrome version that I create rather than what the camera does, especially after applying a touch of platinum toning. Even without the platinum toning, this B&W version will show more tonal control.
An Unexpected Subject
As I took photographs of the village, looking down on the water to catch some random abstractions or photographing the cove, I stumbled on an unexpected subject. In front of the former Hunter’s Garage was a classic Mercedes gullwing displaying its graceful lines. The doors were shut but you can glean the door function from the photographs. I should have been more careful not to capture my reflection on the door. I am wide, but not that wide!
One Version Set
In the gallery below, I will present the photographs in monochrome with platinum toning. If there is enough interest, I can add the other versions in the galleries. I would be very interested to hear your take on the images, and your preferences if you were processing the images.
Monochrome Platinum Toned Collection
Here is Pawtuxet in infrared from a few days ago.
Finally, a Short Walk
Haluk Atamal
It’s not you, it is the curved surface of the door who is the culprit :)
Thanks for sharing the lovely photographs, Cemal.
I cannot comment on the different techniques because I have never processed such material before. I hope one day I will. Frankly I like the frames with water and trees more, not to leave out the Mercedes.
Take care and best regards,
Haluk
A. Cemal Ekin
Thank you, Haluk, for your comforting words about the reflection! That kind of selfie should be avoided by most. As to which version you may prefer, I was looking for choices based on the finished images. Infrared is a very different animal indeed.
Take care, stay well,
Cemal
Frank Mullins
Interesting article, interesting images. For a year, I have been doing infrared shooting with a full spectrum converted Olympus camera. I have 4 different IR wavelengths to use. I still get very frustrated taking these images. There is so much to understand. My best results have been processing them as B&W. Most judges do not comprehend or appreciate non-B&W IR images. One question, though. How do you get the camera to display the images as B&W and still retain all the color information?
A. Cemal Ekin
Good to hear from you, Frank. I simplified my life way back when I had my camera converted to a single IR wavelength! I am not sure which camera you have, but I set my Canon M5 profile to Monochrome. That displays the images in B&W on the camera screen. When I import the images to Lightroom, I change the profile to one I created for this camera using the process explained in detail in the three-part articles on the subject. Now, the image displays in color. And, if I chose the channel-swapped profile, the sky becomes blue. Just change the “Treatment” setting in Lightroom from B&W to Color on the Basic panel.
Take care,
Cemal
Frank
I will have to spend some time reading my Olympus E-M10 Mark III manual. I am doing pretty well with the 720nm and 850nm because they are basically B&W anyway. These can be processed in number of ways including ACR which is essentially Lightroom. The 590nm and 660nm are the real problem because they are color, not visible light color, but still color!! It would be better if I could see these images as B&W in the viewfinder. It’s a challenge. But, as I said, the judges don’t appreciate nor understand these images, anyway. I still have fun with the IR images! I just have more learning to do – both taking the images in the first place and in post-processing.
A. Cemal Ekin
Keep at it, Frank. That’s part of the fun. My Canon M5 is straight 720nm I believe. They all record some color, it is a matter of finding the suitable white balance to make them appear. After that, anything is fair game!
Cemal