while visiting portland oregon i went for a stroll with the amiable mr graves on a blazing hot day in mt. tabor park, and we shot my latest set, "Tabor," now published on zivity.
as we strolled and took advantage of portland's amazing public transportation to get to the park, i asked some questions about the infrared technology we were using to shoot this set. MG proceeded to explain that "infrared technology, in the simplest sense, is about extending our perception." the naked human eye can only see light in wavelengths that range from about 400-700 nanometers. he told me that "the images captured in infrared photography (technically, near infrared) start at 700nm and extend up to about 1200nm. what is being imaged is heat energy, but only the tiny portion of it just beyond a human's visual spectrum."
in the set, foiliage appears pale, skin grey and transluscent, my veins are strongly emphasized and the sky seems to be on fire. when i first viewed this set i was so estatic to have been part of a collaboration that had produced such wonderful abstract results.
mister graves explains that "certain objects in the natural world that we see in color reflect most infrared radiation, foliage being the most obvious example. infrared portraiture of humans is interesting to me is because while skin tends to reflect a good amount of infrared, the blood in our veins does not. being able to clearly view the blood racing through our bodies in a photograph serves to remind me that we are alive."
this set declares humanity in an eerie fashion, detailing the inner workings of what is otherwise a ghostly form in a place that in reality is full of life, but in infrared appears as spectral as the subject.
it was shot on MG's altered camera. apparently, "in order to photograph the infrared spectrum, the camera must either be fitted with an infrared filter (which makes live focusing impossible) or the internal filter which general blocks infrared light must be replaced with a filter that accepts only infrared light." the camera used for this set had a replaced internal filter, and there was almost no post processing done on the set.
as we strolled and took advantage of portland's amazing public transportation to get to the park, i asked some questions about the infrared technology we were using to shoot this set. MG proceeded to explain that "infrared technology, in the simplest sense, is about extending our perception." the naked human eye can only see light in wavelengths that range from about 400-700 nanometers. he told me that "the images captured in infrared photography (technically, near infrared) start at 700nm and extend up to about 1200nm. what is being imaged is heat energy, but only the tiny portion of it just beyond a human's visual spectrum."
in the set, foiliage appears pale, skin grey and transluscent, my veins are strongly emphasized and the sky seems to be on fire. when i first viewed this set i was so estatic to have been part of a collaboration that had produced such wonderful abstract results.
mister graves explains that "certain objects in the natural world that we see in color reflect most infrared radiation, foliage being the most obvious example. infrared portraiture of humans is interesting to me is because while skin tends to reflect a good amount of infrared, the blood in our veins does not. being able to clearly view the blood racing through our bodies in a photograph serves to remind me that we are alive."
this set declares humanity in an eerie fashion, detailing the inner workings of what is otherwise a ghostly form in a place that in reality is full of life, but in infrared appears as spectral as the subject.
it was shot on MG's altered camera. apparently, "in order to photograph the infrared spectrum, the camera must either be fitted with an infrared filter (which makes live focusing impossible) or the internal filter which general blocks infrared light must be replaced with a filter that accepts only infrared light." the camera used for this set had a replaced internal filter, and there was almost no post processing done on the set.
*credit to david aka mister_graves for most of the technical information!
Interesting! I appreciate your interest in what photography is about, as most do not partake in "learning" about what it takes to make the art. This is well put together and as equally informative! You are doing a great job and I cant wait to see more!
ReplyDelete-JM
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