The Art of Color Infrared Photography [Paperback]

Steven Begleiter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

Demystifying the elusive art of creating color infrared images, this guide offers in-depth techniques to capture light beyond the visible spectrum with color infrared film. Beginning with the history and facts of color infrared film, including mounting and storage, this book also discusses light and color theory, working with filters, getting desired colors, and technical light solutions. These methods can be used by amateurs and professionals to create stunning portraits, still-life images, and altered landscapes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steven Begleiter is a professional photographer whose images have appeared in Esquire, Forbes, and Reader's Digest and have been used by Levi's, Banana Republic, and MasterCard. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Amherst Media, Inc. (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584280654
• ISBN-13: 978-1584280651
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,129,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #94 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Color

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed feelings on this book, April 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of Color Infrared Photography (Paperback)

I just bought this book recently, and while I think it might be a useful technical reference, it gives little new insight into the possibilities of CIR film. Charts and graphs are all well and good, but I don't find them terribly helpful. Mr. Begleiter also gives very little information on color filters other than Wratten 12Y and seems to use only that filter except for the one image taken with an orange filter. I would've liked to see more exploration into the color results from different filters other than yellow. Don't get me wrong, there is useful information in this book, primarily the information on filters to correct for tungsten or fluorescent light and what happens to the film when it is outdated. This book, however, should not be the only book you read on infrared photography. This book could work as a companion piece to Joseph Paduano's "The Art of Infrared Photography", which provides more information on which color filters to use to get certain color results. The two together would make a fairly complete course in IR photography. Begleiter's book is good on a very technical level, though I think it would be more helpful to see actual images made with different conditions and exposures instead of graphs or at least in addition to the graphs.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new way of seeing, December 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of Color Infrared Photography (Paperback)

I have taught photography for the last 20 years. I am currently working with the University of Minnesota in a program for professional architects that will benefit from this publication's blending of style and easy to understand instructions.

I am looking forward to using this book in my advanced class schedule this Spring. However, I think a begining photographer would enjoy the numerous examples and images included in this unique book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book!, December 25, 2001

By 

[e-mail] (charlotte, nc) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Color Infrared Photography (Paperback)

Section #1 Basic Color Infrared theory
This section describes the electromagnetic light spectrum and details the
history of Color Infrared film. It is interesting to note that this film
has only been around for about 40 years and the new version for only several
years. Unlike many other areas of photography where everything has been done
before, CIR (color infrared ) is a relatively new medium that has not been
explored much.

Section #2
Dispels some of the more popular myths about IR photography such as "IR
photography can record heat" This is of course not true and the author
drives this and other points home.

Section # 3
Starts off with a couple of nice film characteristic curves that show why
CIR film has such a narrow exposure latitude compared to conventional slide
films. This section then goes on to describe how the film creates false
colors; its a little technical, but most photographers should be able to
grasp the concepts. This section also has a few side by side examples of
AR-5 vs. E6 processing, Images shot in full sun vs. partially shaded, pushed
and normal development. There are a few points on page 28 that I
disagree with, namely the author says it is imperative that the film is
loaded and unloaded in complete darkness. This is very conservative advice.
Most of the time you can get away with loading and unloading in dim light.
I have personally had this film get the first 3 or 4 frames fogged when I
loaded it in bright sunlight, so his advice is good, but maybe a little
frightening for first time users of this film. Secondly the author says he
packs his film in checked baggage in leadlined bags for airline trips. This
is a definite no no. Take your film as a carry on item and have them hand
check it or go through the x-ray scanner. Lead bags will only arouse
suspicion in today's terrorist world, causing x-ray operators to rescan the
baggage at a higher x-ray dosage. However it is interesting to note that the
author has done this and not experienced any fogging from x-rays.

Section 4 deals with Basic Color and Light Theory. Additive and Subtractive
Colors are discussed as well as color contrast and how to apply these
theories to CIR film. Might be a bit boring if you are an experienced pro
but it is a good foundation to those new to CIR.

Section 5 deals with working with filters and there are some good side by
side examples of how polarizes, neutral, Color correction, and be&w

filters can be used with CIR film. I wish there were more examples of how
different color filters effect CIR images, but it gives the reader an idea
of what to expect.

Section 6 talks about getting the colors you want. He talks about shooting
on overcast days, using outdated film and pushing the film

Section 7 is a very interesting section that deals with how different light
sources affect CIR photography. It is similar to Laurie White's book that
deals with this same subject matter. I especially enjoyed seeing the
various comparisons of Mac Beth Color Charts shot under different light
sources. However please note that on page 69 there is a typo. The captions
for the Fluorescent light and Tungsten light pictures should be switched
around. The author also has a few studio shots done with CIR film that are
very interesting since it is such an unusual choice to do studio photography
with .

Section 8 Putting It all Together is my personal favorite. It gives
practical advice on using this film for portraits and studio still life's
and how different makeup turns different colors. The resulting pictures
remind me of cross processed fashion pictures, but are different enough to
be exciting. This section ends discussing one of the most popular "fine
art" uses of CIR film, landscape photography.

Section 9 is a series of Waterlillies pictures which are very well done.
There is a huge waterlillies garden in Franklin NC that I take pictures of
every year, I think it is the largest in the USA. This will inspire me to
take some CIR shots next year.

Section 10 is a portfolio of his CIR work, composed mostly of people and
landscapes.

The book then finishes off with a summary and list of Appendices....