Lake in the Japanese Garden

[Chris Starbuck]

This is a blend of a normal visible-light image and an IR image of the same scene at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Both shots: Canon 20D, Tamron 28-300 @ 28mm, tripod, WB=daylight.
Visible image: ISO 200, 1/100 sec @ f/11. Minor exposure tweak in ACR.
IR image: added Hoya R72 filter, ISO 400, 10 minutes @ f/22. Reduced exposure 1 stop & reduced noise in ACR.

PSCS2: Converted the IR image to B&W, boosted contrast, burned the corners a bit, then sharpened selectively. Added the color image as a layer and set it's blending mode to "color", with about 60% opacity to keep the light, airy feel of the IR image. Then a slight crop for composition.

The 20D/R72 combination is a cheap way to try out IR, but takes a lot of patience; there's so little sensitivity left that exposures are VERY long, and with the in-camera noise reduction on the processing time is doubled. I usually do a test exposure at ISO 3200 and the lens wide open first, verify the histogram, then count off stops as I reset to a less noisy ISO and the aperture I really want to use. Exposures (on a bright sunny day) tend to be in the 10-15 minute range. Make sure the battery's charged before starting!

All comments & critiques welcome!

Chris

[Gus Cobos]

Excellent composition and post processing work Chris. I like this very much, It has a special feel to it. congrats...:cool:

[Michael Pancier]

I love the comp. -- curious how this would look in just B&W IR ....

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Awesome PS work. Very nice tones of colors and your composition is very appealing.
Congrats

[Chris Starbuck]

I love the comp. -- curious how this would look in just B&W IR ....

Thanks, Michael (and everyone else). Here are the IR & Color images separately. I lightened this version of the B&W IR more than the one used in the original blend; the original was a bit dark.

Chris

[Julie Kenward]

Ver nice PS work, Chris! I have to admit, I like the blending of the two better than both single versions so this is definitely a success! I do find that it has a lot of mid-tones and not a lot of highs and lows so you might want to consider doing some selective burning and dodging to bring about a wider range of tonal values. Also, you might consider doing a bit of rotation as the bridge area in the FG looks higher on the right than the left.

It's really an intriguing image, though and a very cool process you have here!

[Harold Davis]

it looks fantastic to me in all versions! i like the blending in the original. nice work. the full color one has it's merits too! love the composition and the setting. has a peaceful mood i assume as intended.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Chris,
I actually like the IR version a lot - it is fascinating to see it next to the original. I find the graphic nature of the bridge very appealing as is the way in which it leads you through the picture. I find myself drawn back again and again to the surreal nature of the IR image and it's quality of light.
Regards,
Nicki