Fun with Filters - Post Your Pictures Taken with Any Filters with Pentax Cameras Here


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Thanks night86mare for an informative post on IR PP. With so many steps involved in the taking and post processing, I still haven't quite achieved the kind of image that I like with the few shots I've tried.

Perhaps Pentax IR sifu can organise mini Pentax IR outing where we can see firsthand IR master's shooting method and then PP workflow. Obviously cameras and laptops required. I offer to drive sifu around and buy him makan and drinks. Hot stuff (being under the sun)!!! :bsmilie:
 

Thanks night86mare for an informative post on IR PP. With so many steps involved in the taking and post processing, I still haven't quite achieved the kind of image that I like with the few shots I've tried.

Perhaps Pentax IR sifu can organise mini Pentax IR outing where we can see firsthand IR master's shooting method and then PP workflow. Obviously cameras and laptops required. I offer to drive sifu around and buy him makan and drinks. Hot stuff (being under the sun)!!! :bsmilie:

Hrm. I would love to, trouble is this period is going to be busy, so it'd have to be in Aug-Sep if there is any at all.. =D In the meantime, maybe I can just do a simple step by step showing pictures of what each step does, etc. Also check whether Auto WB works for IR, hrm.
 

To PP in Photoshop, quite simple, but have to see what sort of WB you get first, Pentax so far doesn't really give the correct WB, which is why I always shoot in RAW, then select trees/leaves as grey point. If no trees/leaves then clouds will do.

If you have any problems, feel free to post up your original image, I had experience shooting IR with improper WB (which is actually quite important) using my old Sony H2 in the past, so I can provide some alternatives to correcting IR images with improper WB. =)

Okay... Help definitely needed... :bsmilie:
Took my shots with auto WB and looks like it was wrong... :(
My lousy IR shots.
 

Manfrotto 190 series and 488 series ballhead offers a good blend of value, quality & performance. :thumbsup:

But doesn't that cost like $300-400?
That's about double my budget... :(
 

Hrm. I would love to, trouble is this period is going to be busy, so it'd have to be in Aug-Sep if there is any at all.. =D In the meantime, maybe I can just do a simple step by step showing pictures of what each step does, etc. Also check whether Auto WB works for IR, hrm.

shifu..
i still have the steps that you've given me the last time, shall i post up here and let the guys explore by themselves first?

as for alanswan's 'red pictures' taken with AWB, i am not too sure if he can still tweak it using photoshop or the pentax software.. :embrass: maybe u can help to advice him?
 

shifu..
i still have the steps that you've given me the last time, shall i post up here and let the guys explore by themselves first?

as for alanswan's 'red pictures' taken with AWB, i am not too sure if he can still tweak it using photoshop or the pentax software.. :embrass: maybe u can help to advice him?

Aiya, don't call me shifu la.. =(

Make me feel so olddd.

Heh, oh, no worries, I'm on it already.

Anyways, alanswan, your first picture is underexposed.. So won't work on that one.. =)
 

For alanswan's pictures, one of them, didn't exactly do the other because Auto WB doesn't work, at least I can't figure out how to get rid of the colour cast. Will be using another of my pictures to illustrate what the PP workflow should achieve and what it looks like:


*****

Step 1 - Use Hue/Saturation tool in PS, master channel, dial in -50 value
816727852_6e44666f23_o.jpg

You get this, which still has a colour cast, but not as strong. With a custom WB you should get a different look, I'll show later.

*****

Step 2 - Auto Levels (Shift + Ctrl + L is the shortcut)
You'd be surprised how well PS adjusts IR photos to the correct tone if your WB is slightly off, if Auto Levels fail, Auto Colour works fine too.
815843021_cdc2d9c88c_o.jpg


*****

Image has changed drastically, but is the wrong tone, no idea why. Auto Colours here also yielded nothing. But at least the clouds are appearing correctly - white.

*****

Step 3 - I attempt to make it the correct IR tone, though the result will be different, since the trees are still with colour cast:

815843273_c716a99505_o.jpg


Hue/Saturation tool, Hue +100, Saturate + 20, master channel

*****

Step 4 - in IR , you have a lot of room for playing around, when I first started I didn't care about the colour cast, just abused the surreal effect, so all this is just the traditional style of PP, you actually have your own artistic freedom to do what you want to the photo so long as you're happy with it. But anyways, the point is, Highlight/Shadows will do a lot for your picture, especially since IR captures the tones in the sky very well:

815844525_301aa1269e_o.jpg


Using the Highlight/Shadow adjustment tool, Shadows lifted by 15, Highlights recovered by 20, midtone contrast +10

You can see a more traditional IR look emerging.

*****
Step 5 - You should use curves for best results, but I'm not really feeling very well, and this scene does not really work well in IR, so I just bump up the contrast by 25.

815844303_b730a65aed_o.jpg


****

Still not the correct look, but at least it looks a bit more like IR.

Must emphasize the importance of a custom WB here, even if you do not get the correct tone with the custom WB, i.e. still white images, the idea is that the color casts on the trees (a very important part of IR's signature look) will be easily PP'ed away, as compared to not having custom WB.
contrast +25
 

Channel mixed version of the above, basically if you want your usual blue skies, and snowy foliage look, you do the following:

815844749_b773260453_o.jpg


Open channel mixer,

Select blue channel, blue 0 red 100
Red channel, red 0 blue 100

These two steps are compulsory.

The green channel must still be adjusted, with green to 0, but red and blue can be played with to obtain different looks as long as they add up to 100 total. =)
 

What an image out of your cam should look like, if you have set a proper WB - usually if you follow instructions, which is to:

1) Fill your frame with leaves/grass which are green IN SUN
2) Screw on filter
3) Meter correctly for a proper exposure of IR photo
4) Capture correct/close WB

If you get an OK in your Pentax no worries even if you do not get proper tone, can always PP easily without any visible difference.

Something close should be orangey/pinkish, I have the orange version here, produced from a RAW file and resized:

815888597_02d96eb309_o.jpg


If you look at the circle in black in the picture, take note of what the trees should look like, they should look "more whitish" if not perfectly white in your photo. They should "glow" slightly too, look surreal.

In IR, always rely on your HISTOGRAM rather than eye on LCD to gauge proper exposure, and take note of special cases where the histogram should appear bunched to left, or bunched to right.

In this photo, histogram slightly bunched to left, haven't corrected levels, it is slightly underexposed, pretty evident.

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Now, even though WB hasn't be corrected it is easily corrected in PS, albeit with slightly different results. Following the usual PP workflow you will still get the same thing in the end.

Above image in JPG form was opened in PS, Auto Levels right away gives you:

815888863_eff1af2aa2_o.jpg


=)
 

815896057_823f5e95e4.jpg


If you have shot in RAW, even better, can get proper tones using the Pentax RAW processing software they give you.

This is what you should see if you have obtained SPOT ON WB, but so far I haven't been able to get it on a Pentax DSLR, was able to get it on my Sony H2 only ONCE, I can't remember how exactly I did it, pity.

From the original shot from camera in last post all I did was to SELECT GREY POINT in the RAw program, and click on any tree's leaves in the photo. Please note the difference between the last photo before this and this one, the textures in the sky stand out a lot more here.

*****

Step 1 - Removing cast from trees, try to make them glow more
Open up Hue/Saturation tool, select BLUES channel, saturation to -100, lightness to +100

815896405_1302670454_o.jpg


*****

Step 2 - highlight/shadows to taste

816778830_9b8b18c899_o.jpg


*****

Step 3 - Up contrast to taste:

815897221_791e9a44d3_o.jpg


*****

815897449_1c7b29347b_o.jpg


Channel mixed version

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I use a lot of "to taste" because IR is not realistic in the first place, so you should develop your own routine/variation of how you wish the picture to look like, not enter set values every time.

Hope that helped.. =)
 

But doesn't that cost like $300-400?
That's about double my budget... :(
Search B&S bro. Definitely can be got for less. I bought my 190 for $150 new. 488 head about $100+ used, if you want cheaper can go for 486 model. Tripods are sturdy stuff so even used ones aren't so bad (except for China ones, just my personal view).
 

night86mare bro, thanks for your detail tutorial. :thumbsup: It takes great effort & time, I'm sure every appreciate it (at least I do:bsmilie: ) I really should get a R72 and give a try.
 

snowywolf here's a shot using Raynox DCR-250 (with Tamron 90mm Di) you requested;) I still say Raynox DCR-250 works better on prosumer, on the FZ7 at same aperture the DOF is more:think:

imgp1040copysy2.jpg
 

Grrr... Guess the AWB screwed me over....
Gonna make another attempt...
And gotta find a greener place to try it...
And tripod.. yes...
Probably try to pop over to Cathay and check out one of the Sliks during lunch the next few days.....
 

snowywolf here's a shot using Raynox DCR-250 (with Tamron 90mm Di) you requested;) I still say Raynox DCR-250 works better on prosumer, on the FZ7 at same aperture the DOF is more:think:
[/IMG]

Thanks longko bro for posting this.. -smiles-

you should get a R72 soon.. it's fun!!
especially the PP part..

i went crazy trying to get the correct colours..
most of the time..
i'll go.. "NIGHTMARE... HELP HELP HELP moiiiiiii"

then he'd do the PP and send me my pic back.. hahahaha

*sheepish*
 

Super sianz...
Rushed down to CP today, Slik Pro340 out of stock...
Only got 330 and 500.
500 freaking heavy, 330 and 340 differ by < $10...
Wah piang... Sianz... Maybe call AP tomolo to ask...
Or maybe I should just get 330? wait til Aug for stock?
Grrrr.....
 

Super sianz...
Rushed down to CP today, Slik Pro340 out of stock...
Only got 330 and 500.
500 freaking heavy, 330 and 340 differ by < $10...
Wah piang... Sianz... Maybe call AP tomolo to ask...
Or maybe I should just get 330? wait til Aug for stock?
Grrrr.....
Slik is quick to setup but I'd still recommend Manfrotto. Maybe try TK Photo.
 

My colleague just said that exactly....
Will try TK later...
If don't have, probably get the PPCP one...
 

Yay! Got my Slik Pro340 from TK...
Cheaper than CP somehow...
But need a better way to carry the tripod...
The $8 strap he sold me quite crappy... :(
 

828147627_0d437975f3.jpg


I vote that if any IR outing ever materialises, we should hold it at Chinese Gardens, mmm.
 

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