Digital Infrared Photography Photo Workshop

Chapter 8. WORKING CREATIVELY IN PHOTOSHOP

For many photographers, once they have captured a great photograph, their work has been accomplished and the final product realized. For others, capturing the image is only the start — further creativity takes place later in the digital darkroom.

In this chapter, you will explore a multitude of ways to work creatively with IR photography. You will move past simply taking pictures, discovering new and imaginative methods for expanding your photographic horizons by using a variety of artistic techniques in Photoshop.

One attraction of IR photography is its surreal beauty. IR film photography has always been held in high regard, but with digital IR photography, the opportunities for creativity are endless. Impressionist painter Edgar Degas said, "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." This quote epitomizes this chapter.

Your photographic vision is realized when you work with your images for the most meaningful and personal end result. For example, figure 8-1 was taken with an IR-converted compact camera. Compare it with 8-2 and you can see the transformation that occurs with a few artistic touches. With IR and a little creativity, you can produce fascinating images.

Figure 8-1. ABOUT THIS PHOTO A winter scene photographed at a cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts, shown without channel mixing and creative enhancements. Taken at ISO ...