Digital Infrared Capture & Workflow continued

Clive R. Haynes FRPS

'Channel-Swapping'
Before looking at the method for 'Channel Swapping', here are example images showing the 'starting point' for a picture 'Summer Meadows' taken in Herefordshire.
The image above is similar to the camera LCD 'playback' display at the time of taking. There's evidence of some 'split-toning' and a general impression about how the image will begin to look without 'channel swapping'.
The display will of course vary from camera to camera (and naturally, from scene to scene). If the 'white balance' hasn't been done, the chances are that the replay image will appear very pink (something like the RAW version below).
The image above is the RAW file version of the 'Summer Meadows' picture - and the starting-point for
'Channel Swapping'

Camera RAW - The Starting Point
Open the Image as a 'RAW' file and if required, make adjustments to the exposure settings - that is to say, the controls for:
Exposure
Recovery
Blacks
Fill Light
Brightness
Contrast
and possibly, although not an exposure control, Clarity

 
Above: Camera RAW dialogue box upon opening
 

'Channel-Swapping' - The Procedure:
This option will frequently give pleasing results and as it's simple to do, it's worth using the option as part of the 'workflow'.
Advice: for better control, this is best achieved by an Adjustment Layer: This is what you do:

Open the selected image

Make an Adjustment Layer (click on the haf black / half white circle at the base of the layers palette) and from the drop-down list choose Channel Mixer - see below:
 
 
In the Channel Mixer dialogue box:
With the Output Channel set RED, change the Red Source Channel to 0% and set the Blue Source Channel to 100% as illustrated below:
 
 
Next
Go to the BLUE Output Channel and change the Blue Source Channel to 0% and set the Red Source Channel to 100%
Click OK ....see below:
 
 

At this stage the image may display a range of muted colours, depending upon the content of the scene.
 
Above: Image appearance after 'Channel Swap' and before 'Auto Levels' - as described on the next page
To continue, please click on the link below

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