830nm Infrared Conversion

When I purchased a new camera I made a decision to have my older model converted to capture infrared images. I had some experience with this type of photography with some of my older cameras that I sent to LifePixel for conversion. This company disassembles  the camera and removes the Infrared blocking filter, replacing it with a filter that passes infrared light. Different filters are available for various parts of the infrared spectrum. The longer  the wavelength, the deeper  one goes into the infrared zone. Some of their filters allow a bit of the visible spectrum which yields strange colors and weird effects. My previous cameras were converted to 720nm (nanometers) and 590nm.  The 590nm filter allowed some visible light which produced some startling images.

590nm Filter

A converted Olympus Pen E-P5

https://flic.kr/p/2j1Jon6 Barrett House, New Ipswich, NH - 590nm Filter

720nm Filter

I converted an Olympus E-PL1 to take photos with a 720nm. Most of the photo were rendered in monotone with a slight yellowish tone. I did post processing to convert them completely to black and white.

https://flic.kr/p/2nSwGo2 Coastline, Rye, NH - 730nm

Going Deeper with 830nm

Converted Olympus OMD-1 Mark II

I decided to go the farthest I could go into infrared spectrum with a 830nm filter. This means a loss of sensitivity, so most of my photography will be done outside on bright sunny days. Skies will be rendered as almost black and reflective surfaces and green foliage will be a bright white. It is going to be challenging and I needed to post-process the photos because they appear in magenta/purplish  hues.

Straight Out Of Camera (SOOC)

https://flic.kr/p/2oaU5H6 Smithville Reservoir - 830nm (Straight Out Of Camera)

Post Processing

Same photo after conversion to Black and White with NIK Silver Efex

https://flic.kr/p/2oaQRii Smithville Reservoir- 830nm

Architecture

I wanted to experiment with photographing building, so I chose the New Ipswich Congregational Church as a subject.

https://flic.kr/p/2oai3c7 New Ipswich Congregational Church - 830nm

Portraits

Infrared light penetrates the skin slightly. It reflects from the inner layers. The result is that skin has almost a waxy look and wrinkles disappear. The eyes are darkened which is a bit spooky.

https://flic.kr/p/2oajosa Self Portrait - 830nm

Heat Lamp

For this photo I stared directly into an infrared heat lamp, felt nice on a winter's day. Light from LED spotlights do not register at all.

https://flic.kr/p/2oaMYVX Lost in thought

Waxen Skin

One way to hide veins, age spots and other distracting features. Looks like wax to me.

https://flic.kr/p/2o9TzSq Left hand - 830nm filter

Next Projects

I plant to take some photos on the shore. Strangely enough, seaweed is quite reflective of infrared light. That might be interesting against the backdrop of rocks and the ocean.