I started my photo-a-day project on September 6th, 2004 on livejournal, transferred it here around 2011. All photos were taken on the day they're posted...
Wow, that's amazing. I really should investigate if I can make my camera do IR photography, it looks absolutely enchanting. You don't happen to have any easy tricks or tips lying about do you? :-)
Raymond - your camera's sensor is sensitive to IR light, but since IR contamination is not desirable for normal photography, manufactures put an IR blocking filter called a 'hotmirror' right on top of the sensor.
The easiest way to do IR photography is just to go out and get a Hoya R72 filter and start shooting (there's many other filters, but this one is the most popular) Because of the hotmirror, your exposure times will be pretty long. You'll need a tripod, and a shutter speed of several seconds. Also, since IR filters cut all visible, it appears completely black. You can not see to compose your photo. You'll need to set up your tripod, compose your shot, then put the IR filter on and take your photo. You'll also have to guess and check on the exposure time since your meter doesn't meter IR light, only visible light.
The other way to do it is to open up your camera, remove the hotmirror, and replace it with an IR filter. This allows for very fast shutter speeds and you're able to see through the viewfinder. But your camera's meter still won't be accurate.
Another issue you'll run into is IR light focuses at a different point than visable light. This also veries from lens to lens. Your tendancy will be to use smaller apertures to make sure your subject is in focus, but with some lenses, smaller apertures make hot-spots in IR photos so you can't go too small. So you'll need to learn to correct for each lens. (you can modify your camera to correct for focusing, but it'll only be for one lens. Others will be different)
The easiest way to do IR photography is just to go out and get a Hoya R72 filter and start shooting (there's many other filters, but this one is the most popular) Because of the hotmirror, your exposure times will be pretty long. You'll need a tripod, and a shutter speed of several seconds. Also, since IR filters cut all visible, it appears completely black. You can not see to compose your photo. You'll need to set up your tripod, compose your shot, then put the IR filter on and take your photo. You'll also have to guess and check on the exposure time since your meter doesn't meter IR light, only visible light.
The other way to do it is to open up your camera, remove the hotmirror, and replace it with an IR filter. This allows for very fast shutter speeds and you're able to see through the viewfinder. But your camera's meter still won't be accurate.
Another issue you'll run into is IR light focuses at a different point than visable light. This also veries from lens to lens. Your tendancy will be to use smaller apertures to make sure your subject is in focus, but with some lenses, smaller apertures make hot-spots in IR photos so you can't go too small. So you'll need to learn to correct for each lens. (you can modify your camera to correct for focusing, but it'll only be for one lens. Others will be different)
But IR is fun - you should try it.