Since I published my Aerochrome albums, I have been swamped with questions about various aspects of this incredible film. Several Lomographers have asked me to write an article explaining how to make the most of it, so here it is.
Photo by lazybuddha
Had it not been for the amazing response to my albums, I would never have considered writing this article because I am still a Lomography novice. There are many others much better than me and with much more Aerochrome experience. I sought advice from some of these great Lomographers before experimenting with Aerochrome and they were all very willing to share their knowledge. So,in that spirit, here is the little I have learned so far.
First off some background.
Kodak Aerochrome was designed for use in aerial photography, with forestry, cartography, industrial and military applications. Therefore it only comes in sizes designed for aerial cameras, typically 9.5 inch by 400 foot rolls. These tend to be a little tricky to fit into your standard 35mm or 120mm camera. So the fact that you can now find this film in 120 format (and very rarely in 35mm) means that someone has cut it down in complete darkness and re-rolled it, which is not easy. Coupled with the fact that it is now discontinued, means that it is expensive and extremely rare. All the more reason to perhaps ignore one or two of the 10 Golden Rules and put a little more thought into using it so as to make the most out of it.
Filters
Aerochrome is sensitive to the entire visible spectrum of light in the same way as normal film, the only difference is that its sensitivity is extended beyond 730nm (wavelengths of light are measured in nano meters) into the invisible near infrared. In fact, Aerochrome and other infrared films are actually more sensitive to blue light than normal film and that is why if you want to achieve true IR effects, a filter is so important. If you use Aerochrome without a filter, you will still get the intense contrast and textures but without the IR effects. Most people recommend either a yellow or orange filter but you can also use a red or even a green filter. In general, the darker the filter, the darker the reds and sky, and the greater the contrast. The lighter the filter, the pinker the reds and greener the sky. Here are some examples of the different effects from different filters.
Red filter
Orange filter
Yellow filter
Green filter
Note: Many other factors will also have an effect on your image besides the filter.
Exposure
Aerochrome is rated at 400ISO for use with a yellow filter, which means if you use a yellow filter then you meter at 400ISO. However, Aerochrome is designed to be processed in AR-5 chemicals with E-6 the nearest easily available alternative. If you want to cross-process in C-41 then it’s ISO rating changes to around 320. All my shots so far have been cross-processed in C-41 and as I never use a light meter my general guide for bright sunshine is;
Yellow filter – f22 1/125 sec
Orange filter – f16 1/125 sec
Red filter – f11 1/125 sec
If you over expose a little, you lose the color in the sky but gain more detail in the textures. If you over expose a lot, the images become very bleached out. Here are some samples: The first is slightly underexposed and the second is slightly overexposed.
Processing
As Aerochrome is designed to be processed in AR-5, it does not behave in the same way as other slide films. Normally, cross-processing side film results in extreme saturation and strong contrast, but with Aerochrome processing in E-6, it produces the most saturated images. Cross-processing in C-41 actually provides more detail. As Aerochrome images tend to be heavily saturated anyway, I find the increased detail of cross-processing to be an advantage. For a more detailed analysis and comparison of E-6 versus C-41 processing see here
Light source
The colour we (or the camera) see is dependent on two things, the color that the object absorbs/reflects and the light source. To perceive the true colour of an object, the color must be contained in the light source in order to be reflected. In the same way to capture the IR properties of an object, the light source must contain IR light. Sunlight is the best source of IR light but tungsten halogen lamps also emit IR. Most other artificial lighting (fluorescent and sodium) only emits visible light and so will not give you any IR effect. In fact many modern artificial lights are designed to emit as limited a range as possible for energy saving reasons. For this reason Aerochrome should not be used indoors or under artificial lighting except tungsten halogen.
Foliage
All different kinds of plants, including different types of trees and grass reflect IR light to slightly different degree. Therefore, they will all be slightly different shades of red in the final image. The lighter the filter, the more these differences will be obvious. A light yellow filter for example will give you many more shades of pink and red than a red one because obviously the red filter will block the lighter pinks.
Focusing
When light passes through any piece of glass, it bends (refracts) and because different colors have different wavelengths, they refract to different degrees. Normal camera lenses are ground and coated to focus all visible wavelengths (but not Infrared) onto the same point—the film. Therefore, having a longer wavelength, IR light focuses behind the film. Adjusting for this is tricky as obviously we are dealing with what we can’t see. Some old lenses have a red dot on them that is designed to show the adjustment needed for IR. If you are not lucky enough to have one, my rule of thumb has been to focus 1/3 to 1/4 closer than the visible focal point but it is largely trial and error. Obviously, the smaller the aperture you use the better your chance of success as it will increase your depth of field. Focusing accurately with a large aperture, such as f2.8, is extremely difficult.
Other factors that have a bearing on your final image are such random things such as atmospheric conditions and even height above sea level. With IR film, it really is a case of experimenting and seeing what works. But with a little homework before hand, hopefully we can keep the disappointments to a minimum. Good luck!
71 comments
adi_totp
thanks for tips! I'll bookmark this page :D
lighttomysoul
and here's a petition for anyone that hasn't signed yet :) http://www.lomograph(…)ir-petition
dabai
great tipster!
clownshoes
awesome job
kertgartner
12_12
GREAT!!!!! Bookmarked! I got 3 rolls a couple of weeks ago! This is great!! I just need a proper camera for it!! I love the colour! Everybody sign @lighttomysoul petition!!!!
mephisto19
What a review! Thanks for sharing!
shoujoai
Great review, great film :) thanks for using my pictures!
imushie
So great !
I'm going to share this :)
lazybuddha
@kertgartner, you have some great EIR shots but (quote) 'EIR is in my opinion pretty much the only reason to still shoot film'. Boooo :)
mafiosa
Thanks for the tips!
liquorice
Thank you so much! :D
clickiemcpete
Thanks for the excellent article! I have a roll with green filter out at the lab right now that should be back soon.
sebastianerras
Great article!!
sarazhannes
i love ur galleries! :))
ridwanfals
briliant!!!
nicx
Thanks for this! i have gotta try get some of this film! Your photos are awesome!
paytenpurdy
Thank you Lazybuddah! I just got my first roll of 35mm Color Kodak EIR in the mail, and am excited! This helped me A LOT! Thank you for the advice! :D
nadinadu
this is amazing! great article! :)
parky
fantastic article, thanks!
lazybuddha
@paytenpurdy, congrats I've been after some 35mm for ages but keep getting out-bid on ebay. Don't forget that some cameras, such as the Canon EOS 300, use infrared sensors to read the film canister and set ISO. These expose the film, so make sure you use a fully manual camera. Good luck :D
paytenpurdy
@lazybuddah, yea I got it for a fairly cheap price(which was still expensive for a roll of film) $35, the last roll my friend bought was $60. I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU RESPONDED WITH THAT! I was literally about to load it into my Canon Eos 300 tomorrow, are you psychic? Haha. Now I am really thankful that you wrote this tipster. I would have paid a lot of money for some messed up photos!
motionpicture
Facinating stuff!
russheath
Amazingly well written, this should be the standard that LSI uses when asking for a great review or tipster. Thanks so much!
agnes1409
OMG!!! how come can shot such a nice pics??? what camera u r using? I love them so much!!!
wonderdude
I really like this article.
pikc
I want this film badly!
freepeanuts
where can i get these films!!
deepfried_goodness
Great review and info. Now if only I can get my hands on some here in Toronto.
worried_shoes
Wicked pictures!
stouf
Great ! But my personal rule is 'do not pay more than 3$ per roll' so I'm quite sure I'll never get my hands on this film... : ) I'm happy others do and produce these super cool images !
thedrumlord
aoba
great article!
plasticpopsicle
The colors are so beautiful! Never seen anything like it. I want...no, need to try this film!
ihave2pillows
This is one of the best film reviews I've read here. Very detailed and full of helpful advices. Bravo ~
ihave2pillows
Oh oh. One question. If I use this IR film in a Diana or a Holga, should I tape over the red frame-counter window round the back of the camera?
lazybuddha
@stouf, ha ha if I could create the amazing images that you do with $3 dollar film then I wouldn't pay anymore either! Unfortunately I'm a mere mortal. :-)
@ihave2pillows, it's probably best to, although the window is basically a red filter so any leaks will only be IR leaks. It's more important to tape the seals as these might allow normal light in. I shot a roll in my Holga and basically completely wrapped it in tape. Beware though, the normal '30 clicks' rule doesn't apply, which I discovered to my cost. Always lift the tape to wind the film on, which is fine as long as you do it out of direct sunlight.
g_leo
thanks for sharing
lawypop
thanks for the SUPER tips!!
lawypop
thanks for the SUPER tips!!
stouf
Thanks a lot for the compliment ! And I appreciate your modesty, your shots are awesome independently of the film : ) The first one for instance (the swan) would have been a splendor with any film ! : ) Take care.
jbrown363
Just bought Four rolls from this guy, He was very helpful and answered all my questions and it is only 25.00 USD. hope this helps all those who thought they couldn't afford it http://www.tarquinius.de/
86john
great article. sadly the film is extremely expensive and really hard to find.
gvelasco
Wow! I think there's a market here for Lomography.com to get a hold of some of this stuff and cut it down to 120 and maybe even 35mm.
simonh82
Amazing article and amazing photos; favourite reveiw/tipster of the year!
I would absolutely love to get my hands on some of this stuff. Come on LSI, i would blow all 200 piggy points i've accumulated on this stuff if you if you could get the rights from Kodak. They are looking to sell their patents at the moment, so you might be able to pick up a bargain.
kuryzu
LIKES THIS!!
rebe_w_c
great tipster!
i was wondering about this type of film since i saw these pictures by Richard Mosse
http://www.richardmo(…)y.php?pid=1
foodeanz
this is awesome!!!!!
cupofwitt
luisfernandes
best colors ever!
paytenpurdy
question:
do some photo lab developer machines have infrared sensors? I'm just wondering because my roll turned out all wack with overly red hues on EVERYTHING. :( there goes my $50
lazybuddha
@paytenpurdy, yes I'm afraid most do. I have been told that can switch these off if they are willing to, although one lab I asked refused.
darkart69
fed
Dude, words cannot express how awesome and incredibly informative your article is! This film is unbelievably psychedelic. Can´t wait to get my hands on this stuff..
anafaro
I had to say this: great great great review!!!!! Now I understand why my first experience with Aerochroome turned out to be such a disaster: http://www.lomograph(…)frared-film
I will be definitely give it another go, now that I read your article. Thanks for sharing this with us and congratulations on the great photos!
peeciella
I thought the http://www.lomograph(…)-speechless has kept me speechless enough, but when i saw your pictures, it felt like peace and harmony in awhile :)
sirio174
great article!
spoeker
I love the photos!
I will try your tips during my next trip. I could get my hands on some rolls and I'm so excited to use them!!
Thanks a lot for sharing :)
upic
Great article and thanks for the tips! Let's see how it works ;)
carlota_nonnumquam
This is a great article, really helpful! Does anyone know where is the best place to buy this film?
ihave2pillows
I just got my 1st roll of Aerochrome!! Very nervous... lol
sandkorn
Wow! Great article, many thanks for the tips and tricks and the inspiration :)
djramsay
thank you
hazy_baby
When people say to use a yellow/orange/red etc filter, does it have to be a specific yellow/orange/red, or is the colour alone enough?
lazybuddha
@hazy_baby, the colour is enough.
hazy_baby
@lazybuddha thank you :)
mikahsupageek
Great review, this will be very helpful =)
pangmark
Superbly written article and I agree with stouf ( though less qualified ) that your photos would be great with any film
guinastrapazi
wow.. i really really loved all your photos, even if underexposed or overexposed - simply beautiful :)
and damn!! i'm really a bit envious, i'd really love to try aerochrome ;)
hervinsyah
I love the red filter photo. I hope my EBX can do that saturation but it can't
jarodfwh