Color Infrared Photography Technique Step By Step

Using an R72 infrared filter over the lens:

Steps to test your camera for IR sensitivity:

1. Put your camera to manual mode
2. Set the exposure to approximately  1 sec shutter speed and f10
3. Take a test shot of an infrared remote (tv remote control), while pressing and holding any bottom on the remote.  
4. The brighter the dot, the more sensitive your camera is to infrared. Try different remotes, lenses, and cameras if you have them.

Steps to photograph with R72 filter:

1. Use Tripod: Place you camera on a tripod to avoid motion blur. IR filter lets in very small amount of light so your exposure will be too long for hand held shooting.
2. Focus prior to attaching the IR filter. You need to do this because the camera can't 'see' the scene with the black filter on and therefore can't focus properly. Once desired focus is achieved switch to manual focus.
3. Attach Filter. Screw on your R72 filter
   
4. Push the button.  Take take the photo.
5. Experiment with Exposure. Try various shutter speeds. Start with 15 seconds at f8, iso 100
6. White Balance:  If your camera offers a custom white balance preset, take a picture of a gray or white card with the filter on. Make sure that direct sunlight is hitting the card. Refer to your camera menu for how to set custom white balance. If everything is still coming out red, you will have to adjust the white balance in Adobe Camera RAW or any other raw editing software of your choice. This is probably the trickiest part when working with infrared filters.
   

Converting your camera to dedicated Infrared.