Infrared simulation

Infrared film has been used for decades - There are 2 basic types- black and white and colour. These films produce what is called false tonality or colour. With the colour films the range of colour can be altered by the use of filters placed over the lens. They can be used this way to reveal hidden aspects of a scene like - disease in plants etc - they also have an aesthetic quality and many photographers have use these films in the past with great effect.

It possible to simulate the Infrared effect in Black & White in photoshop -

Here we see the original image notice the deep blue sky, the green tree and the red coloured earth.

First we create a new layer - Layer > new adjustment layer > Black & white

Thsi imediatley converts the image to black and white as a preset - but gives us options with each of the colour channels that allows us to set them exacly where we want them. We see this in the box on the right.

However if we click on the preset options we open a variety of options including Infrared - When we select Infrared we see the Blue sky has become darker, the clouds more dramatic, the green foliage lighter and the red earth lighter -

A sign of Infrared film or silumatuion is the lightening of green foliage and the darkening of blue skys - it works very well for many architecture scenes reproduced in Black and White..

Mouse over to view infrared effect

Original image

Mouse over to view infrared effect