For a while now, I've wanted to start a thread for member that are interested in this type of photography. I'd like for it to be a spot to share images, techniques and resources. There is no question that I caught the IR bug, and when it happens, you want everyone else to come down with the same illness, hahahah. Simply put, infrared (or near infrared) photography is when you take photos in that spectrum of light, normally invisible to the human eye. There are a number of ways to do this. Traditionally, IR film was used, but you had to be very careful when handling and processing it. With digital, there are 2 popular methods. The simplest is to purchase and R72 filter for your camera and fit it over the lens. For most digicams this will work, but exposures tend to be long (so a tripod is needed), image noise becomes an issue, and there can be a hotspot in the center of the image in many cameras. Now there are a few rare cameras with an already high IR sensitivity that allow you to take handheld photos, but they tend to be older models. The new Sony H9 with its Nightshot mode could be a great unmodified IR camera but we will have to wait and see. Fuji also sells a DSLR and prosumer camera that come without the IR filtering "hot mirror" in place for specific IR use. The other method is to remove the hot mirror from your camera yourself (a tricky proposition for most) or let a third party company do it for you. This will give you an IR capable camera that you can use in real time and not need a tripod. Image quality benefits as well. On the down side, you've now voided any warranty your camera may have had, and it isn't cheap to get this done. ($200-$550) [**Life Pixel**](http://www.lifepixel.com/) is considered by most to be the premier conversion company, and they have a fairly informative website if you'd like to take a look. I bought my Sony DSC-P200 used from person that converted it himself and was able to get a great deal that way. ([**Zep_Addict**](http://www.renderosity.com/homepage.php?Who=zep_addict)) If you have an older digicam laying around that you don't use much, it could be a good candidate for conversion. While DSLRs have the advance of great lenses and a better sensor, with other digicams you get real time EVF and LCD display in IR, enabling you to preview your image in real time. Modded DSLRs force the photographer to view the scene in Visible Color -- making them guess how the image is going to finally look in IR. There are still lots of things to cover but those are the basics. To get things started I'll post a few links that I've found quite valuable. ~ [**Infrared basics for digital photographers**](http://dpfwiw.com/ir.htm) The most complete online IR reference I have found, though a bit outdated. Great spot to start. ~ [**Infrared Photography Buzz**](http://www.irbuzz.blogspot.com/) A blog for all things IR. Another great learning spot. ~ [**IRTIST.com - INFRARED PHOTOGRAPHY Community**](http://www.irtist.com) THE forum for IR photographers worldwide. ~ [**jr-worldwi.de: Photography**](http://www.jr-worldwi.de/photo/ir_comparisons.html) My online introduction to digital IR. Great how-tos and camera sensitivy chart. ~ [**Wrotniak Infrared Photography**](http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/infrared/index.html) Another well rounded site. ~ [**diglloyd**](http://diglloyd.com/diglloyd/infos/GuideToDigitalInfrared/index.html) Great for beginners & veterans. ~ [**The IR Paper**](http://www.infraredphoto.eu/IR_Paper_Part_One.htm) A more technical look, but very complete. ~ [**Daniella T.'s Infrared**](http://www.pbase.com/zylen/infrared_with_dimage_7) A PBase gallery of a talented lady who shoots with an unmodded Dimage 7, much like our own Mayda Mason. There are many more links, but those can wait for now. I know that I've started you off with enough information here that it could take days to digest it all. Hopefully if you haven't tried IR yet, it will awaken a spark of interest inside of you. If you have tried it and enjoy it, why not share some of your own tips and experiences here? Thank you. ~Kort

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations