After getting my hands on some super rare colour infrared film, I paired it up with Rollei's standard black & white infrared film and went on the lookout for some cool scenes.
Everyone now and then some really rare film comes along, and you've just got to jump at the opportunity! And such was the case when an "Aerochrome" type film came along from Nik & Trick photographic. Described as a film similar to the iconic Kodak Aerochrome film, I was keen to see how it would turn out. And even though no one knew what film it really was, there's nothing like a good surprise!
The film came in a 120mm medium formal roll, so I decided to pair it with Rollei's standard black and white infrared film, and head out for some infrared photography! I've explained how infrared works back in Week 18 of my 52 rolls of film project. I had never shot colour infrared film, so was really quite curious as to how it would come out. Kodak Aerochrome was the most famous colour infrared film out there, being developed originally for aerial purposes, with various applications, for example vegetation surveys or earth resources monitoring. Sadly it is no longer made, although there are some funky alternatives by Lomography. This film may even be Aerochrome, or something else. Regardless, the results are really cool!
About the photos
Vegetation, and lots of it. Infrared (lets call it 'IR') and vegetation works really well, either rendering it completely white in standard IR film, or a bright dark reddish in colour IR film. Shooting infrared is really unlike anything else, because it is really hard to know how the shots will come out. Standard IR film requires an IR filter, which basically blocks out all visible light, so it is important to compose before putting the filter on!
I shot these photos over a period of about 2 weeks, taking the camera with me when I knew I would be in a wide open space. Locations include the largest cemetery in Frankfurt (plenty of green and interesting statues there) and the Escborn airfield, an old WW2 disused airfield, with a special post about it here.
I also did a "through the viewfinder" shot (as these were all taken with my Hasselblad 501c camera), so you can see how the shot really came out...obviously I did not take it with the IR filter on as it would be completely black. I used an orange filter for the colour infrared film. Remember the viewfinder shows a reversed image, it can be quite confusing at times!
I liked the symmetry opportunity this scene presented, but not sure I got the composition right.
You can see how the viewfinder reverses the image, see the text is the wrong way around! This gravestone/statue really caught my eye and I like how it came out, it is very clear.
The viewfinder does not do the light justice, there were rays of light everywhere. The colour infrared shot is pretty spectacular too, looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland!
This was one crazy gravesite, with loads of crosses all around it. Actually the graveyard is so big it is crawling with photographers, there are statues here from 1828! All with respect though, no stepping on sacred ground and all that!
It is amazing how bright red colour infrared film turns the green leaves, it is really cool! This was a very bright scene, and I am really happy with how this shot came out!
Bit underexposed, but really moody shot.
I think shooting in a scene like this with so much vegetation and different levels of sunlight makes for a really cool infrared effect, as can be seen from the final photo, it is like someone painted the scene!
My favourite photo of the lot.
Distant skyline of Frankfurt.
Not as strong of a colour infrared look that I wanted, but I still like the composition.
A really cool art installation in the Nordend of Frankfurt. I actually did not spend any time looking for a plaque to figure out what it is. Looks like a bullet on legs, or something out of the 'Independence Day' film. Either way, it looks awesome in both colour IR and standard IR!
The road to nowhere.
Old military equipment left at the disused Eschborn airfield.
What looks like one of those small heavy trucks that pulls airplanes, at least what is left of it @ Eschborn airfield.
I wouldn't go down there if I were you....
Overall observations
This is a rare film review after all. And what can I say, I am delighted with the colour infrared shots I got from the lovely Nik & Trick photographic services. I must go looking for more colour infrared film, even if it is expired, I really like the look it gives. Also happy with the Rollei Infrared film, but this is more easily available.
Shooting film is all about experimenting and most importantly having fun whilst doing so. If you ask me, there is nothing cooler than infrared film, and if you ever manage to get your hands on some colour infrared film, don't think about it twice...blink and it will be gone!
Hope you enjoyed the world through infrared film!
Thanks for stopping by!
Neil
