There's always something new to try!

What's one of the coolest things about photography?

There is always something new to try. Between gear, software and this huge world we live in, the possibility are endless.

I like new. New keeps me from getting bored.

If I get bored, I find trouble. Actively search it out. Seriously, I have Trouble's phone number on speed dial. (Just ask my last 5, 6 or 7 employers.)


Today in the microsecond of spring weather we had this morning here in Castle Rock, I borrowed Doug's Infrared filter and slapped it on a lens and shot out in the back yard.

The filter blocks out all of the light spectrum except that at the infrared range (makes sense, right?) It makes it a bit of a challenge to set up a shot because you can't see through the filter. At least I can't, I can't see infrared.

This technique was reserved for black and white film photography originally. It still works best on film. The fancy sensors on the newer cameras tend to block out most IR light. But not all of it. So you shoot with an IR filter on a digital camera and you get something like this:

Hideous?

Stylistic?

You decide.

However... a click of a button (Ok, a few buttons...) in Photoshop (or even in the camera itself!) to change the picture to black and white and it gives us the desired infrared affect we're looking for.

Slap a title on it and this is what comes up:


Much more better. Not quite the true IR effect, but still a nice picture.

Moral of the story? Get out there and play with new stuff! Remember, you don't have to buy new stuff all the time either.

That's what friends and big brothers are for!


By the way: Where the hell is spring? Anyone seen it? If you have send some my way woulda?