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| Original Click to Get it. |
Result Click to see larger view |
| This tutorial was a request I received about recreating a Black and White Infrared Film
Effect. While I don't know it is possible to recreate completely what infrared film can capture from a scene, it is possible to
give an image the feel of an image taken with infrared film. The reason I say I don't think it is possible, without getting too
technical Infrared despite what folks may think is not an effect. Infrared is a physical property that is in the scene which the
human eye can not see. Infrared in most cases is the result of a reaction. Foliage is the biggest example of this
reaction. Plants have a process known as photosynthesis. This process is creating energy which in turn creates heat.
That heat will make plants appear white or almost white when photographed with infrared film and the proper filters. On the
other hand a dead tree although still a plant will come up almost black because there is no photosynthesis going on.
Other distinct properties of infrared film is a slight haze or blur around objects giving off heat yet at the same time a little
bit of overall grain because of the film itself. These things can be added to taste by the artist.
For your 1st few infrared images work with images that have easily defined foliage areas and a deep blue, cloudy sky. We will
be making a mask and you will need practice working with different selection methods before you get involved with multiple selection
areas or fine detail like a fern leaf. Click on the colored image above to get the original if you want to follow
along. (Please note that the settings for this tutorial are not something etched in stone and will vary from image to
image or for that matter your own taste) |
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| 1) Insert your image, select the Lasso Selection Tool and start tracing around all the Foliage. If you are zooming in to get a
better look, each time you make a selection fill it with a color not in your image. I used RGB 255,0,255. You can also use the paint
brush to touch up your edges a little. To the right you can see what I have colored in for my selection mask. |
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| 2) Menu = Selection / Antialiasing / Progressive Contour. 3) Select the Magic Wand Tool:
Tolerance = 30
Color = no check
Now select the area we just filled and or painted
4) Menu = Edit / Undo Colored Layer. You will need to do this step the same amount of times you colored a layer. If you made
your selection in one selection like I did you will only need to do this once. If you did it in two or tree stages you will need to undo two
or three times. When you are done you want your original image with a selection around the foliage like mine on the right. |
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| 5) Menu = Selection / Hide Selection 6) Menu = Filter / Color / Grayscale
7) Menu = Selection / Show Selection |
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| 8) Menu = Filter / Color / Colored Layer Color = Black
Inverted = Checked
Opacity = 80%
You can see we lighted up our foliage a lot by doing this step.
9) Menu = Selection / Invert |
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| 10) Menu = Filter / Color / Colored Layer Color = White
Inverted = Checked
Opacity = 100%
11) Menu = Filter / Color / Colored Layer
Color = White
Inverted = Checked
Opacity = 25% |
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| 12) Menu = Filter / Visual Effects Guassian Blur Radius = 6
13) Menu = Edit / Fade Gaussian Blur
Opacity = 35% |
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| 14) Menu = Filter / Sharpen / Sharpen Edges 15) Menu = Filter / Repeat Sharpen Edges
Use your clone tool if you have to to clean up the edges of your selected area. Now play around with the Adjust / Levels tool
on the two selections individually to enhance your effect. Remember it is your image so have fun and there really is no right way. |
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