Customer Reviews

Complete Guide to Digital Infrared Photography (A Lark Photography Book)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Most of the information in this book is available for free on the internet. Filter information, how to properly expose and focus a shot, etc. is all basic and common sense. The most disappointing part of the book was the post processing. Almost all of the post-processing instructions describe how to use Photoshop PLUG-INS that the reader may not have. Each of the plug-ins mentioned will cost you between $50 - $200 and even if you already have them the instructions are so basic you never get a feel for what you are doing or why.

If you don't have access to the internet and are a complete newbie to IR Photography this book would be OK, which is why I am giving it 2 stars.

This is a good basic introduction to infrared photography, with beautiful photos. However, it concentrates on landscape photography (as you might expect) and a lot of the text in this 160-page book deals with post-processing techniques.

A newer and much more comprehensive book is David Busch's Digital Infrared Pro Secrets,which explores the topic in a more wide-ranging and in-depth manner. For example, Busch's book shows you how to convert your own camera to infrared photography, how to make your own inexpensive IR filter, and how to build a viewfinder that by-passes the IR "blackout." In addition to landscape photography, that book has techniques for shooting architecture, portraits, sports, and other unconventional subjects.

Serious photographers should probably have both books. Farace's is a good guide to infrared fine art landscapes, while Busch's book is perfect for someone who intends to get serious about IR photography.

Most of the example photos in this book are from photographers other than the author. Makes a reader wonder if the author has taken many IR photos of his own. As was mentioned in another review, his post processing section consists of telling you to buy expensive plug-in modules for Photoshop. Apparently he does not know how to create effects such as sepia toning and depends on the expensive plug-ins to solve that problem. Not worth the paper it's printed on. His section on exposure, depth of field, and focusing are pretty thin and contain information available for free on the web. Not recommended.

As a photographer for the last 38 years in both digital and film, I have kept up with the most recent trends of the trade. This book is self explanatory and copiously illustrated by the author's work and his directions to his readers to seek out other photographers more capable in the art of Infrared Digital Photography was a plus as well!

With three art degrees and aa a retired illustrator from Boeing Airplane Co., my camera is an extension of my talent base and not an after thought. With all this going for me, I have sought out information to make greater leaps in my phtotgraphic art.

I highly recommended this book because the Author does not toot his own horn, but rather shows by example how the process of great infrared images is best accomplished with cameras that are infrared sensative and those that are not. His stepwise "Scope and Sequence approach" with Photoshop or what have you, in the before to after production of great photos is superbe!

I highly recommend this book for anybody looking for the nuts and bolts of how to better his/hers own abilities in not only digital natural light photos but the Infrared side of this art as well!

If you need or want to know anything about digital Infrared Photography
this is the book to get it was exactly what I need to get started.

Infrared photography has been around for a long time, but its use has been held back by the lack of availability of IR film and by the frequently unexpected results which you didn't discover until you were back at the darkroom.

Perhaps the biggest user of IR film was the military because the IR image often produced images that allowed other features to be seen when compared with ordinary film.

With the advent of digital cameras, selecting the proper camera only requires the addition of a filter to enable it to take IR images. And all of the other advantages are there such as immediately reviewing the picture on the LCD screen. This book is aimed at the advanced amateur or professional who has the need or just the desire to capture images from the IR spectrum. It includes just about everything there is to know about shooting in the in the infrared from testing your cameras sensitivite to if using your televisions remote control feature to print out the images on ink jet printers.

This book shares a lot of information. Farace nows the subject and explains it well. great book.

This book is one of few resources available. Also bought Digital Infrared Photography by Patricia Rice which, although not exclusive to digital, is great companion to this book.

Infrared photographers are in their own creative league. Read this book, check out Joe's images, read his words, and you'll see why Joe is one of the top IR photographers around - any why he is the technical director of The League of Creative Infrared Photographers. I've been a photographer for about 30 years, and yet I still continue to learn and grow, thanks to books like Joe's. - Rick Sammon, Founder, The League of Creative Infrared Photographers.