Photoshop CS2

Infrared Photography

Infrared Photography

April 2010, Carl Garrard (Updated 4-12-2010 Part II)

Sony A500 Infrared Monochrome Image It seems not too long ago now that I happened upon a photographers website debuing some unique and awe inspiring monochrome images. Something was very unique about these images though, they had a quality that I had never seen before. There was something wickedly dramatic about them that just blew me away. When I clicked on the images and saw them full size on my monitor, I realized something very special was being presented to me. I couldn't believe my eyes when I realized that these images were shot in the Infrared Light (IR) spectrum. They looked somewhat outerworldly yet natural at the same time. The tonal range and redering of foliage was so dynamic, I realized right then that at some point in my career, I was going to be shooting IR images. I just had too.

One Hike and 26 Wildflower Species

One Hike and 26 Wildflower Species

March 2010, Carl Garrard

Prickly Pear Cactus Flower
 A beautiful sunny and warm Spring Sunday in Southern California was the setting I was wishing for, today was just begging to get me out of the house. Normally I hide indoors on blue sky days during summertime, as they tend to lack the dramatic effect of weather that I so crave and love to be in. However, today it is spring and I set out to capture something different. I wanted to try something I've never done before and the idea itself didn't hit me till I set foot on the trail. The trail I set out on today is called Belleview Trail, set in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita, and winds its way into the Cleveland National Forest.

A900 and Hi Sensitivity Jpeg Output

A900 Jpegs at ISO 3200- Camera Settings Count!

The A900 is an excellent hi-sensitivity machine. Capitalizing on retaining more color and dynamic range throughout the entire ISO range than most of its competition, the A900 manages this excellent performance characteristic for much less cost than its best rivals. What doesn't get talked about much when it comes to higher sensitivity settings is color output and print quality when processing is debated. Sure "some" companies work more noise reduction in the chroma category into their processing as well as make a bit nicer grain pattern, but does that translate into better prints? Color wise, no, it doesn't.
Raw software, ISO debates, who needs it? Lets have some fun using our A900 for Jpeg output and see what we can do.

Sony A900 ISO 3200 Image