Filed Under Infrared Photography
Conventional infrared photography had huge inherent problems with handling and processing. The alternative (#1) I wrote about previously was using special black and white film the was sensitive to near the infrared band and gave good results without the problems of handling and processing.
Alternative #2 would be using digital a camera that Is sensitive to light in the infrared band. One camera would be the Nikon D-70. Placing an infrared filter over the lens effectively blocks all visible light and only permits infrared light to strike the sensor. This results in a red appearing image that can be corrected in a photo manipulation program into black and white. Skies go dark or black, water replicates the sky, and all things green reflect the most infrared light and register as white in the image. The resulting image is striking, surreal and sometimes breathtaking. If you have a good editing program, you can increase grain, fadeout, etc to closely imitate infrared film images. I use a Nikon D-70, Cokin P007 Infrared Filter, sometimes a Gitzo tripod and Adobe CS3 as editing software. I have looked on the internet for used D-70’s and found them to range anywhere from $250. to $450. depending on condition. If you already have Nikon or after market lenses, just get the body, you are already ahead of the game.
To change the normal look of infrared photographs (black and white) you can place the infrared filter on the camera and adjust your white balance while the filter is in place. Then remove the filter, compose (you can’t see through the view finder with filter in place) and take your shot. You will notice right away that the the image is not all red as before but is white and black with tan colored sky and road surfaces. Really cool to see the infrared reflected white trees and other plants, but see color in the image as well. You can down load this image into Adobe CS3 or 2 for that matter, go to channel mixer and under the output channel RED change the 100% to 0% then drop down to the blue channel and change it from 0% to 100%. Then go back to the output channel and change it to blue, then go back to outsource and change the blue from 100% to 0% and change the red from 0% to 100%. Voila, the tan sky from the original image is now blue. You may have to adjust your levels a little before to lighten the image first, sometime just auto levels is enough. Once you have performed this trick, you can tweak those color levels all over and really get some unusual images. It’s too cool to see what you know is an infrared image, but with color.
If you don’t happen to have a D-70, there is an outfit called Life Pixel that will convert your current digital camera so that it is infrared sensitive. This will open an whole new exciting avenue of photography for you and get you thinking of other possibilities and unusual subjects. Now get shooting and have fun.
Filed Under Scrapbooking
Someone said to me the other day “Scrapbooking is too expensive.” Well, it can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be. It really depends on how fancy or simple you want your pages to be. It’s really up to you. But no matter which style you choose, you can make a beautiful keepsake album. Lets face it, you can’t put a price on memories. Here are a couple ways to save money.
1. Save your scraps. You can always use the left over paper with your punches, die cuts or to embellish other pages.
2. Use simple trimmings. You can purchase buttons, stickers, ribbon even paper at the Dollar Stores. Check out the clearance bins at your local craft stores. You can find stamps, ribbon, small punches even journaling pens.
3. Borrow! Sharing is saving. Plus, it’s always more fun and enjoyable to have someone that shares your interest.
4. There are many different albums to choose from. If you choose an album that comes with the page protectors it will be less expensive then if you have to purchase pages and protectors separately.
The main objective is to get your photos out of those old shoe boxes and into an album that the whole family can enjoy for years to come. But no matter how you choose to display your treasurers always journal your photos. A simple line about where the photo was taken and especially who is in the photo. There is nothing worse than looking back at family photos and not knowing who is in the picture.
Filed Under Infrared Photography
For film jockeys, there is an alternative method of rendering infrared type photographs without using infrared film and all the inherent problems with handling and processing.
Konica had a black and white film that had extended red sensitivity. It was cool, appeared to produce infrared like results but did not have all the handling and processing problems, had a rated speed of 400 and produced nice results. Alas, Konica has sort of dropped off the market and along with it the Konica 750 film. I have found some people that still have some left in 35mm and 120mm that is still refrigerated and available. Run a query on Google or E-bay.
Ilford Photo has brought their SFX 200 film back and is now available at B & H Photo/Video, a New York Photography House, and other film and camera supply houses. This is normal black and white film again with an extended red sensitivity. Produces near infrared results and is easier to handle and process. You would normally use it in conjunction with a red #25 filter. This is not as fast as the Konica version, but that is no longer available. I have not had an opportunity to test this film as I no longer own a film camera. It appears to have the same specs as the Konica. The shots shown here are of the Konica 750 film. Overly red sensitive film is also manufactured by Rollie in 35mm, 36 exp rated at 400 speed. Again I have not tested this film either, but it specs out the same as the Konica/Ilford offerings. This is also available from B & H.
The deeper red your filter is, the more dramatic will be the infrared effects. You can start with the red #25 and go deeper to Kodak/Rodenstock #29, or very deep red like a Kodak 89B/ Hoya #72. You can bracket your exposures and make notes and find your best exposure for the effects you like. Getting a deep red filter will cause you to go to a tripod just because the filter factor is so high. Anyway, a tripod causes you to better compose your photograph. I’m sure you will be pleased with the result and not have any of the handling difficulties of infrared sensitive film.
Filed Under Infrared Photography
To take ‘REAL’ infrared photographs you need Kodak Infrared Film, the easiest is 35mm, a sunny day, a professional or near professional camera body, a Kodak #25 Red filter, a film changing bag large enough to hold the camera, small reel type infrared tight film developing cannister, Kodak D-76 developing chemistry and a means of printing the resulting negatives.
This can be done by a local obliging mini lab or if you have the printing and developing equipment you can do it yourself. If you have a scanner and computer, you can go that route also. These two latter suggestions will give you more expressive control.
I suggested a professional or near professional camera body as most lower priced cameras are not infrared light tight. When you get the film it will come in the normal black plastic cannister, but the top will be black in this instance instead of the normal gray. This is because the two small felt strips that make normal metal film cannisters light tight do not block infrared light. You have to place the camera in an infrared tight film changing bag, open the film cassette and load the camera inside the bag. If you want, get a cheap roll of film and practice loading the camera with your eyes closed until you get it right. Once the camera is loaded you are ready to begin taking photographs. Install the red #25 filter and set the ISO at about 125. If you have a program mode on you camera, you can use this suggestion from the internal meter, but bracket the exposures this first time around. You can even change the film speeds in mid roll to experiment for your desired exposure. Just keep notes about the frame numbers and when you changed the film speeds and other changes in the exposure. There is actually no film speed rated for Kodak Infrared Film. Infrared film was originally used for scientific purposes and there they would do enough testing with speeds to accurately portray the results they were looking for.
Once you have finished the roll, you will have to go back into the changing bag and remove the film. Then you can put it back into the film cannister that I hoped you saved for this purpose. You will need the bag one more time to load the film into the developing cannister. There are some mail away film processing labs that will process this film for you, but make sure they know it’s infrared film and tape the top to prevent accidental opening by the uninformed. If you have some local camera stores (not super markets), maybe they will help you get the film processed and the negatives printed.
Brace yourself for some really unusual and intriguing photographs.
Filed Under Scrapbooking
Something new you can add to your Cricut Expression machine. Its the Circut Jukebox! You can now add up to six cartridges to your Circut Expression. Just by the push of a button you can choose the cartridge that you want to use. In addition, you can add up to three units. You may never have to change cartridges again! The Jukebox attaches to a storage base that can hold cartridges, handbooks and overlays. This is a great way to store your Cricut accessories so they are always right where you want them when you need them.
Filed Under Scrapbooking
Just wanted to let everyone know who uses the Cricut or Cricut expression that I know sometimes it is difficult to find the cutting mats in the stores. To prolong the life of your cutting mat try using a spray adhesive. Just lightly spray the mat and let dry. I used Krylon Easy-Tack Repositionable Adhesive 7020 with great success. It is a repositionable bond for lightweight materials. So if you use your Cricut the way I do, you’ll find this a great help. And by prolonging the life of you mats, you also save money!
Filed Under Uncategorized
Here are some favorite sites that you may find interesting:
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Filed Under Photography
There are two distinct types of polarizing filters, they both accomplish the same thing but from different directions.
The first type is a linear polarizing filter. This filter as well as the circular type is used to improve color, darken a blue sky and cut down on reflections be it from glass as in store or car windows. Reflections are also reduced or eliminated from the surface of water and all other objects or surfaces that present a glare to you, the photographer, due to the angle of the sun.
The circular polarizer came about as a result of the linear polarizer giving newer automatic cameras problems with metering and auto focusing. The linear polarizer is like a miniature Venetian blind, if you will, by directing some of the incoming light away from the lens. This also reduced the incoming light, sometimes 1 and ½ stops of light requiring you make lighting allowances in another area. Slowing the shutter, opening the aperture, changing lenses or using a faster film speed. You digital guys can simply change the ISO rating. I’m not going to begin to kid you and explain how a circular polarizer works, I just know it allows the camera’s meter to function and the lens to auto focus and accomplishes the same thing as a linear filter.
You will find using a polarizer will improve the color of flowers by eliminating glare on the petals and leaves. It will help you see into the depth of water rather than your eyesight stopping at the surface. Greatly improve scenic photographs and really give your shots ‘POP’.
There are numerous filter manufacturers producing polarizer filters, Lee, Hoya, Tiffen, B+W and Cokin. I kind of prefer Cokin as they are less expensive, but that is just a personal observation. I would rather drop and scratch a Cokin than a Hoya or Tiffen. Either way, polarizers will improve the look of your outdoor photography on sunny days. You can amaze your friends by showing how beautiful dark blue the sky was that day.
To get some real deals on secondhand filters you can contact eBay or Amazon without having to sign up just to search an item.
Click Here!
This e-book has a lot information packed into a single download. Remember no shipping fees, waiting for the mailman or having to contact the publisher again as your copy became lost in the mail. Explains all the ins and outs and places to start whether you are an novice or serious photographer. If you would like additional information, just click here.
Filed Under Scrapbooking
There are two ways to crop your photographs, digitally or by hand.
If you have a digital camera, play around with cropping your photos in your computer until you have the picture the way you want it. You can enlarge the focal point of you photographs or just eliminate some of the background. Remember, try not to crop out anything of significance in the photo which contributes to the story you are trying to tell with your pictures. If you crop your photos by hand you can use scissors or a paper cutter. You can purchase a cutter that is sized perfectly for trimming your photos. You can use decorative scissors for cropping, just be careful not to distract from your pictures. The are different cutting systems that you can use to make perfect ovals, circles, harts, stars, etc. The Ultra Shape Xpress by Fiskars is a cutting system that can be used free hand or with the shape cutter templates.
Filed Under Scrapbooking
There are many different size shape cutters from Sizzix to choose from.
Original Sizzix Machine:
*Press style handle
*Die cuts and embosses (with a separate converter)
*With a separate adapter you can use other brand thin dies
SideKick:
*Portable and affordable
*Crank style handle
*Cuts lightweight paper to thick card stock
BigKick:
*Portable and affordable
*Compatible with all the Sizzix die cuts from the original dies to the Bigz dies
*Easy crank style handle
*Embosses
*Cuts, lightweight paper, card stock, fabrics, craft metal and mat board
BigShot:
*Works with all the Sizzix die cuts and embossing dies
*Cuts lightweight paper, card stock, fabric, craft metal, mat board and more
*Compatible with all the Sizzix dies and embossing dies
All of the Sizzix products can be purchased on eBay at a fraction of the price at your local craft store. To browse for free just click on the ebay link.
