Re: Question about infrared film

["Tim Rudman" <tim.rudman@xxxxxxxxxx>]

One of the things that is noticeably different about using Kodak HS I-R film
is that many people use it and process it in their own way - much more so
than with conventional film. I know highly successful I-R photographers with
hugely differing techniques yet all producing superb results.

When I started my long term 'affair' with I-R about 30 years ago, there was
very little guidance available - and of course no internet. Finding anybody
with any experience at all was very difficult, so I did what I suggest you
do - although you will have a lot of guidance from the group to short
circuit the process - and that is to experiment widely in order to see what
is possible and then find out what gives you exactly what you want.

 If you give details of your technique it will be easier to offer guidance
but, assuming that filtration and exposure are reasonable, from your
description I think you should start by progressively increasing
development. It is time and money well spent to set up in good I-R
conditions  and shoot a scene (on a tripod) using several films and
bracketing each frame over about 3 stops. Develop each film individually in
the light of the results of the last, and adjusting development accordingly.
It may sound like a pain but you will get a much clearer understanding than
by reading about it, and it doesn't actually take that long. You will need
several loaded bodies or a good changing bag.

Konica and Kodak films are different in many respects. One is fast and
grainy, suitable for hand holding and with a strong I-R effect. The other is
slow, usually needing a tripod, finer grained, less marked I-r effect (but v
good for penetrating mist etc)

Tim


-----Original Message-----
From: David Entler <entler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: infrared@xxxxx <infrared@xxxxx>
Date: 09 January 1999 22:24
Subject: Question about infrared film


>Dear members of the infrared mailing list,
>    I am a new member of this list and I just started using infrared
>film a couple of months ago.  I loved the look of the prints and I was
>very interested in trying out this film.  I read the handbook by Laurie
>White and then began taking pictures using kodak high speed infrared
>film.  After five or six rolls I realized that his film is very
>frustrating and hard to work with.  My negatives kept turning out too
>gray and not enough contrast.  I thought maybe switching to Konica
>infrared film would maybe be easier to work with.  What are the
>advantages/disadvantages to using konica Infrared film instead of Kodak
>High speed Infrared film?
>
>
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