Has it been THAT long?

I've just noticed that my last post was on January 13th. (Obviously no-one visits or I might have had a gentle reminder by now). I have no new photos, but I have one that I was supposed to upload.

Anyway, I think this place is called Murmungee Lookout, was taken on a 'digital day out' at Beechworth, Victoria. Beautiful scenery from up here. (Bloody windy though)
Gear used, as always lately, Minolta DiMage7 used & R72 filter for IR. Processed and converted to B/W, then each colour individually hand coloured. (Each layer in Photoshop, with the blend mode set to COLOUR) The man in the shot wasn't wearing a pinkish / red shirt, but I wanted a point of interest to stand out. Kind of trial and error with this technique.

**Click on the photo for a larger view**

Road To Nowhere - IR

I thought this title was apt on two parts, one being the road itself, no traffic and seeming to go on for ever and the second part, where I'm trying to go with IR. I really need to set aside sometime and go out explore the many photo opportunities on offer.

**Click on the photo for a larger view**

...a lake with no water?

Still trying to achieve the "look" I want from my colour IR shots.
Composition is probably not ideal in this shot

**Click on the photo for a larger view**

...or maybe black & white?

So much for my, "I'll post another version of this, black and white, sometime today, just for a comparison." a week later more like it.

Anyway, here it is. (Click on it to see a bigger version)

...feeling blue?

Tried a bit of toning and a touch of glow, thanks to Photoshop, to get this effect. Been reading up with some suggestions of what works with IR. Skies with nice clouds, water, pfft, what's water? we're just about out of it around here, green leaves/vegetation.



I'll post another version of this, black and white, sometime today, just for a comparison.

Again, any suggestions, tips, comments, more than welcome. You can be brutal I have a tough skin. (Besides, I can always delete your nasty comments).

DiMage meets the Botanic Gardens - Part II

Another photo taken at the Botanic Garden, this time using channel swapping and selective colour.

Probably allows for a little more creativity, this doesn't look too bad as a basis for future IR shots. Have the White Balance set at flourescent, but want to try out the other, and maybe a custom WB using the grass as a starting point.

Comments, suggestions and tips welcome.

DiMage meets the Botanic Gardens

Picked a great day to venture out to the Botanic Gardens, about 37°C. Why there? well, green foliage works well with IR, there's not much about seeing as we are in the middle of a drought. (Why do they say the middle? does that mean from tomorrow onwards we are getting out of it?).

Having said that, the lawns have taken a hammering there a bit sad to see, but we all must conserve water.

Of course, these are just a few 'test' shots. One thing I like about the "DiM" is I can hand hold these shots, no need for a tripod. Processing them to B/W is pretty straight forward, but colour processing will take a bit of practice on my behalf.

Happy to hear any feedback or suggestions.

...into some experimenting

Well, the photography bug has bit me again after a 20 year lapse (has it really been THAT long)? It was digital that rekindled it, after shooting roll after roll, and not getting any better, a cheaper hobby had to be found. I never did find another hobby, maybe I knew that someday I'd get back into it. I bought a Sony P & S "just for the hell of it". That was 3 years ago. Since then, I've bought a Canon 300D, not the most glamorous, (well, compared to a Canon 1D) but, I'm back in the 'groove'. The reason for this blog is purely for 'different' things I want to photograph, such as IR, maybe even a bit of digital manipulation if the urge arises. I have a site where my "normal, everyday" shots reside. I've just picked up a second hand Minolta Dimage 7 for some IR work. Not sure if I'll get it modified or just persist with the R72 filter. Actually, nifty lil camera. I did some IR work with the 300D, but the slow shutter speeds were, a pain in the butt. This one was taken with the Canon, not too bad. When I get the chance this week, I'll upload some from the DiMage.