Infrared Film Effect

posted by ugaldew, Nov 11, 2006 10:08 PM

HI "Again" dear SXCers and guests , In the next step by step - tutorial we will learn the technique of creating Infra Red Film Effect This film basically extends the sensibility to red colours, so it is usually used in landscapes or scenes where we have plenty of green or blue tones, sometimes it is even used in portraits . it was a boom in the 60s for the artistic effect it produces and I think you as me will find this effect very "sweet" ! So lets just get started with the fun and don't worry if you are a photoshop newbie ! This is a very visual and easy tut !

*Just before we start I want you to show you the inspiration that made me write this tut . These are some of the really Infra red pictures we have inSXC database so you have an idea about the final effect we want to achieve and how similar we can get in our final result

You can also visit 'www.kleptography.com for more IR pics

This is the effect we want to achieve in this practice

Original

For the next tutorial I will use one of my pictures at SXC
Outdoor Walking

Lets get started now !

>> Step 1 - Open Image

Open the image you want to convert into IR , I suggest to use a well lighted landscape with nice grass and blue cloudy sky however you can apply this effect on many other subjects including portraits

>> Step 2 - Add a Channel Mixer and set it with Infra Red values

The first step is to add a channel adjustment layer. So lets go to the layers palette and click the (adjustment layer button) the black and white circle at the bottom and then click channel mixer in the pop up menu

Next thing is to set the values Red: 100% Green: 200% Blue : -200% Constant -25 in the Channel Mixer window that just popped up,

Our picture should look like this now

>> Step 2b - Select the Monochrome box and play a bit with the channels

Next you have to check the Monochrome box and play again a bit with the channels, the R:100 G:200 B:-200 are arbitrary values that work most times , but you may need move slightly those values depending on the darkness or lightness you want , so play a bit and click OK when you are satisfied with the preview

***>> Step 3 - Add the magic texture

Most of the magic of IR is the dreamy texture, so we can create that by adding some "noise" (filter/noise/add noise..)
OR !
by Adding Blurry texture; I am going to do this step a bit quicker but as clear as possible, since this is an easy effect that I have written tutorials about before, I hope you don't get lost; in case you do;

Check my tutorial "Stunning Textures " for a more detailed steps

>> Step 3a - Merge Down Channel Mixer

Select the Channel Mixer layer in the layer's palette and click on PC Ctrl+ E or (Layer/Merge down)

>> Step 3b - Duplicate Background layer

Select the Background layer in the layer's palette and duplicate it (Layer/Duplicate Layer)

>> Step 3c - Add Gaussian Blur to the duplicated image

Select the duplicated layer (background copy ) and add “Gaussian Blur” (filter / blur / Gaussian blur ). Try a setting of 5.

It has to look rather blurry; similar to the example, but don’t worry too much about this step

>> Step 3d - Reduce Layer's Opacity

Set the layer’s opacity value to 50%. (layers / layer style / blending options ) slide to 50% the opacity slider in the top of the layer palette.

The opacity can go from 30% to 60% it will determine how soft the pic will be

And that is it !! Our picture should now look like this !

Original

More Examples using this technique

I hope you have found this tutorial useful , and that you have enjoyed as much as I did writing it , please feel free to ask anything or write an email to ugaldew@yahoo.com if you have more doubts or comments about this tutorial

Miguel Ugalde Ugaldew