How to Shoot and Edit Infrared with Any Camera

How to Shoot and Edit Infrared with Any Camera

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In this video and article, you will learn how to shoot and edit infrared images with your current DSLR or mirrorless camera, even without modifying it. Discover the equipment required, the optimal settings for shooting, and various methods for editing your infrared photos using Lightroom and Photoshop.

Converted vs. Unmodified Camera

Before diving in, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between using an unmodified camera and a converted camera for infrared photography. Standard unmodified cameras have a hot mirror that blocks infrared light, making infrared shooting challenging. On the other hand, using an infrared lens filter allows infrared light while blocking most visible light, resulting in longer exposure times and some potential noise. With a converted camera, the hot mirror is removed and replaced with an infrared high-pass filter, allowing for more standard exposure times and reducing noise, although this is a more expensive and permanent change.

Video

Equipment

Camera

A DSLR or mirrorless camera is necessary. The camera should be capable of shooting in raw (or JPG as detailed later) and must focus off the sensor. For DSLRs, ensure you use live-view focusing since optical-viewfinder systems are calibrated for visible light and won't focus correctly in infrared.

Lens

Select a lens that doesn’t produce hot spots, which are circles of over-exposure and color shift occurring in the center of the image when shooting infrared. Vintage primes without modern coatings typically have fewer hot spots compared to modern zoom lenses. Lower f-stop numbers also tend to produce fainter hot spots.

Tripod & Trigger

Due to the longer exposures, a tripod or stable shooting platform is required. Ensure you have a method to trigger the shutter without shaking the camera, such as a cable release, remote trigger from a mobile app, or self-timer in the camera.

Infrared Filter

An infrared filter, preferably a 720 nanometer (nm) filter, is essential. This filter blocks most visible light while allowing near-infrared light to pass. The Hoya R72 is a recommended option.

Shooting

Camera Settings

For best results, shoot in bright daylight. Set your ISO to its lowest setting (usually ISO 100 or 200), use automatic shutter speed or aperture priority, and choose a 1-stop wider aperture than your usual landscape settings. Attach the infrared filter to your lens after setting these parameters.

Raw and White Balance

Shooting in raw format is recommended to control the white balance during editing, which is crucial for infrared photography. If shooting in JPG, set a custom white balance in-camera using a neutral subject like grass, rocks, or concrete.

Focus

Manual focusing is necessary after attaching the infrared filter because infrared light focuses differently than visible light. Use focus-assist or focus peaking settings to ensure sharp focus. Trigger the shutter using a cable release, phone app, or self-timer to avoid camera shake.

Editing Methods

Black & White in Lightroom only

• Go to the Develop module.
• In the Basic panel, open the Profile Browser, expand the B&W group, and select a profile.
• Adjust Basic Tone & Presence settings to taste.
• Add contrast using the Tone Curve to taste.
• Optionally, use the Color Grading panel to colorize your image.

Using DNG Color Profile (DCP) in Lightroom and/or Photoshop

• Create and place the DNG profile in the proper location, then restart Lightroom or Photoshop.
• Open the image in the Develop module in Lightroom or with Camera Raw in Photoshop.
• Select the DNG profile you created.
• Adjust the white balance on a neutral subject.
• Open in Photoshop and use a Channel Mixer adjustment layer to swap red and blue channels.
• Complete processing in Lightroom or Photoshop to your taste.

Using Enhanced profile (XMP) in Lightroom only

Combine a DNG color profile with a Channel Mixer adjustment layer to create an Enhanced Profile, allowing direct color adjustments in Lightroom without needing Photoshop roundtrips.

If you have comments, questions, or feedback, feel free to use the comment section for this video.

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