infrared

As I am waiting for some latest films to be developed, today I am posting digital again. But it's from my old, recently converted D70s. After removing hot mirror (infrared light blocking filter just in front of the CCD sensor) and replacing it with visible light blocking filter, I have achieved the infrared-only sensitive camera. Great fun to do the conversion! And even greater fun to play around with the camera and explore all new possibilities...

There are some basic rules to keep in mind while taking IR photos:

1) the AF is not working correct, since the wave length is different. The easy way out of it is to use small apertures (f/8 and smaller) so the DOF is large enough to cover this shift. This + lower IR light available prones the shutter times to be fairly slow even in very good light conditions.

2) most interesting frames are the ones with lots of green (that apears white on IR) and cloudy sky, with as much contrast as possible (prefferably strong sun)

3) It has very nice effect in foggy/moisture environment as IR is not prone to them and allows to see "through"

But these are only basic rules and as always dont have to be 100% followed.

Anyway, the photo above is quite recognizable for anyone from Patras: the view from top of Ag Nikolaou stairs to the downtown, old port and the bay. One of my very first IR photos :-D

Camera: Nikon D70s (IR converted, 715nm) w/Sigma 17-50 f/2.8

Settings: F/9, 1/25s, ISO-200, f=17mm (25mm for FX)

on the tracks

View to Ag Andreas church in far background taken from rail tracks somewhere above Veso Mare.

Photo: Rolleiflex Automat w/Tessar 75mm f/3.5, Kodak Tmax 400

grocery

One of the best things about living in Greece for me is how close the mountains are. They are everywhere. And among lots of things I like to do when in mountains, like hiking, photography, skiing or simply enjoying food and drinks, is also shopping :-P Shopping the great traditional products: trachana, chilopites, marmelades, tsipouro, all kinds of spices and many more. I just love these places.

Right in the center, on Pantanasis str, there is a traditional grocery "Efdokia" with all the great food from all over Greece. Everything fresh and tasty. One reason not to go to the mountains any more :-P

Photo: Rolleiflex Automat w/Tessar 75mm f/3.5, Kodak Tmax 100