Terry Palmer
April 2026 - Everglades Stream
About the Image(s)
A friend and I took a trip to the Everglades primarily for bird photography, but I brought along my IR converted Sony 6400. This is a stream along the Loop Road flowing south and I thought the B&W treatment might work for this image. ISO 1250, f/11, 1/100 18-35 f/3.5-5.6 at 18 mm (24 mm equiv), Lifepixel 850nm filter. Adjusted white balance in Sony Imaging Edge. Two layer groups in Photoshop, one adjusted for water, the other for the upper part of the image each with its own BW adjustments.. A little burn in some places, spot heal some eyecatchers, slight crop, and overall sharpening.
7 comments posted
I've never tried IR, but it produces very interesting results. The problem I have with this image is that it looks too busy to me. I have difficulty separating the trees from the water (which is reflecting the trees). My guess is that this is an issue with the lower resolution of the files we need to submit for critique. Printed on a large canvas may produce an amazing picture. Posted: 04/10/2026 13:39:37
Thanks, Jose. Yes I agree that it is busy. Even in full resolution there is a lot of detail. Posted: 04/10/2026 13:47:09
Hi Terry, what a lovely spot! The centered composition makes the image very inviting. I think that the IR technique really brings all those details out. The special luminosity of the leaves is perfect for the image, but the very dark sky may make a rather harsh contrast with the trees? If you have a color version, it would be nice to see if color helps to separate the trees from the water with their reflections? Posted: 04/10/2026 20:59:21
I always admire IR shots. I'm not sure I know what you want us to look at. I start at the brightest spot, trees center, and then try to look at the water. Can you bring up more tones in the water and show us more of what is there? Does IR show all the different tones, or are they a short range? Posted: 04/14/2026 23:31:36
Because of all the highlight tones, it does come across as busy (the problem when there is not a lot of sky or non vegetative material to contrast with it). How about a severe crop to get just most of one side only (also cropping some of the top), with parts of the black sky on one side and the darker water? Posted: 04/15/2026 20:44:15
Bob, George, I think you're both on the right track. I think I tried to force a landscape out of a iffy location (with or without the IR B&W) I think Bob's crop is a little better with more flow through the image. T. Posted: 04/16/2026 20:04:45
I find the IR image fascinating. The trees look attractive. However, may be because visually we are accustomed to a greyish sky in B&W photo, rather than one approaching black, and that water reflection usually depicts a shiny surface, we are a bit confused. (When we see something, usually we will ask what it is and what does it mean). Posted: 04/17/2026 15:57:44