Rating: 
Summary: Easy-to-Follow, but Not Even Close to Comprehensive.
Review: "The Art of Infrared Photography" isn't a bad book. It's mediocre and incomplete. Joseph Paduano's instructions are straightforward and easy to understand. To the author's credit, he doesn't make infrared photography out to be more difficult than it is. But the book doesn't give the reader an understanding of the choices and styles that infrared photography offers. On one hand, it ventures into color infrared photography. On the other hand, its black-and-white chapters concentrate solely on "hard" infrared -black skies and white foliage shot with red filters, ignoring the tonal qualities of IR film that make it ideal for use with orange and yellow filters. There is almost no discussion of portraits, a very popular use of b&w IR film. Perhaps that's because Mr. Paduano has written another book, "Infrared Nude Photography", on that subject.
Chapter 1, "Infrared Theory", explains how IR film works and how various subjects will appear when photographed with b&w IR film. The films discussed are Kodak High Speed Infrared and Konica Infrared 750, as they are available in the US. Chapter 2, "Precautions", tells the reader how to load and handle IR film to prevent fogging. Paduano recommends placing film in a lead film shield bag to protect it from airport x-rays. Airport security personnel simply turn up the x-ray if they can't see through a bag. IR film cannot be put through x-ray.
Chapter 3, "Filters & Focusing", provides good information on which red filters transmit which wavelengths of light, but incorrectly asserts that you need to increase exposure by the amount of the filter factor. IR light passes through red filters, so conventional filter factors should be ignored. There is no discussion of using yellow filters with IR film, which many of the most accomplished IR photographers prefer. You don't get white foliage and black skies with a yellow or orange filter. Instead those filters exploit one of IR film's most interesting qualities: increased tonal separation in the midtones. If you photograph a midtoned subject that has multiple subtle hues, you will see remarkable separation that you would not with panchromatic film. "The Art of Infrared Photography" ignores this style of IR photography, which is often it's most beautiful. Chapter 4 discusses "Film Speed & Grain".
Chapter 5, "Exposure", provides exposure recommendations for Kodak High Speed Infrared and Konica Infrared 750 used outdoors with a medium red filter. I think his recommendations give too much exposure, because he has translated the filter factor as you would for panchromatic film. But, as you should always bracket when shooting IR, the correct exposure should be obvious in the negatives. Chapter 6 is about "Night & Flash Photography".
Chapter 7, "Developing & Printing", gives developing times and temperatures for Kodak High Speed IR, Konica IR 750, AgfaPan APX 200, and Ilford SFX 200, which is an extended-red film, not infrared. I don't believe that the Agfa film is available in the US. Chapter 8, "Toning & Handcoloring Prints" mentions the effects of selenium, sepia,and brown toning, as well as handcoloring prints, but gives no instructions.
Chapter 9, "Color Infrared Film", explains the characteristics of Kodak Ektachrome color infrared slide film, how it records color, and makes exposure suggestions. Development times and temps are also included for those who process their own color slide film. It should be noted that the film Paduano is discussing has been replaced by Ektachrome CIR, which can be processed in E-6. For more in depth discussion of color IR photography, Steve Begleiter's book " The Art of Color Infrared Photography" is a good resource.
Chapter 10 talks about "Digital Infrared Cameras". The author mentions 2 black-and-white cameras and one color IR camera, all manufactured by Kodak. These cameras are no longer being made, although you may be able to find them on the secondary market. They were created for the agriculture and art industries, which commonly use IR film to diagnose the health of crops and to detect fraudulent artwork, respectively. But the digital IR cameras did not find a market sufficient to support them.
Joseph Paduano's infrared "Portfolio" is found on pages 38-96, and constitutes the bulk of the book. It includes b&w IR, color IR , and handcolored b&w IR photographs. His handcolored work is by far his best, in my view. There are a useful Glossary of infrared terms and an index after the "Portfolio".
Rating: 
Summary: a how-to book that inspires
Review: A great book for any photographer interested in learning about infrared photography. Unlike many books written on specialized areas of photography that are difficult to comprehend, this book is easy to understand and does not confuse the reader with highly technical information. Instead, The Art of Infrared Photography sets forth in a clear, concise, detailed text, exactly how to adapt this wonderful film to your individual style of shooting. The author guides you step by step with true understanding of the medium, as if you were taking a photo course given by an inspired instructor. The added bonus of a breathtaking portfolio of images by the author will motivate anyone to grab their camera, load up with infrared film and rush out to create a new world of high contrast, dream-like images. Without a doubt the best book on infrared photography on the market.
Rating:
Summary: Simple methodology and beautiful images -- Inspirational!
Review: As in the previous edition, Joseph Paduano explains the use of infrared film in his characteristic easy-to-understand manner. Although infrared film must be handled and exposed differently from other black & white films, the methods are not difficult. His recommendations allow one to get very satisfying results right from the beginning. The portfolio of images gives the reader a glimpse into this unseen world and allows the viewer to see how various subjects are rendered in infrared. This is quite helpful, as one gets ideas for one's own photography. Even for readers who own the first edition, this book is a worthwhile resource. Additional topics covered in this edition include hand coloring of b&w infrared images, and Kodak's new color infrared slide film. Mr. Paduano's teachings inspired me to try infrared photography; and thanks to him, it's now one of my specialties. Following the instructions in his books, I've won 5 ribbons (all for b&w infrared images) in professional state, national and international photographic competitions. The methods presented in this book give great results and I encourage anyone who has wondered about infrared photography to read it!
Rating: 
Summary: Summary of Contents
Review: CH1--Infrared Theory, Foliage and Infrared, Objects and Infrared, Light and ShadowCH2--Precautions, Loading and Unloading Film, Pressure Plate, Infrared Sensor, Imprinting, Darkroom and TravelCH3--Red Filter, Orange Filter, Exposure Compensation and Filter Factor, FocusingCH4--Film Speed and Image Grain, Addition of a Filter, Pushing and Pulling Film, Bracketing Exposures, Image GrainCH5--Exposures, Exposures and Filters, Infrared Indoors, CH6--Night and Flash Photography, Electronic Flash, Flash ExposureCH7--Processing and Printing, Developers, Special Effects Film, Printing, Dodging and BurningCH8--Toning and Handcoloring PrintsCH9--Color Infrared Film, Vegetation, Filter Effects, Variable Color Filters, Polarizing Filters, Colored Polarizing Filters, Proper Exposure and Lighting Conditions, Purchasing Color Infrared Film, New Kodak EktachromeCH10--Digital cameras, Infrared Features, Exposure and Flash, Digital Images with the DCS 420 IR and EOS DCS 5 IR, Digitital Color Infrared CamerasAlso Included: Portfolio of Images, Glossary, Index
Rating:
Summary: the only infrared book worth owning
Review: I found this instructional book on infrared photography to be the one true book for any photographer to own, amateur or professional.This handbook is the only book that really takes you through all the steps necessary, so you can truly understand and control this unique film.I have read other books on infrared and this one sets the standard for all instructional infrared books.Other texts don't even come close.The text isn't overloaded with technical jargon to confuse the reader. Great format and comprehensive text, including a beautiful portfolio of infrared images by the author. The one complete book on infrared photography. It also includes much needed information on color infrared film,infrared digital cameras and hand-coloring b&w infrared images. Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: To Paraphrase A Chorus Line: Pix 10, Text 2
Review: If a book's title is the "Art of InfraredPhotography" and one of the quotes on the back of book declares"the procedures are actually not difficult and Mr. Paduano explains them all," you would expect detailed information about infrared photography. Not density curves and all that highly technical information, but more practical information about infrared film: the history of the film (a mention of photographers, besides the author, who have worked with infrared, i.e., Minor White to name one), a detailed explanation of how this film differs from more conventional films, a thorough explanation of the filters to use with infrared film (and the effects of each of them), and finally, any insight that the author discovered using infrared film. You get a little of this, but you walk away from the book not learning all that much. Maybe there isn't much to infrared, but for $25 (list price $30), you expect more. The explanations are problematic: they touch the surface of the topic, but don't go into sufficient detail to make the information crystal clear. Facts are presented, not so much explained. In some ways it seems that the author thinks he is preaching to the choir: if you're already familiar with infrared photography, why would you buy this book? Sorry about the rhetorical question. We buy the book for detailed information that explains the process. We want step-by-step instructions on the process not brief explanations. On the other hand, the author feels it's important to explain the familiar technique of dodging and burning - a process that's described in every basic photography book. This short discussion would make some sense if dodging and burning infrared prints differs from conventional prints, but the author doesn't suggest any difference.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK ON INFRARED AVAILABLE
Review: Infrared photography allows for very surreal, dramatic effects. I enjoyed taking pictures in it although I have since switched to the computer for similar effects in art work. (My main problem is I don't like working in a darkroom.) If you want to try infrared photography yourself, Paduano's work was the best I found. He was the best both on instructions and in the quality of his own infrared work. Even if you decide not to try infrared yourself, his photographs are well worth enjoying for their own sake.
Rating:
Summary: Paduano Tops If You Want To Try Infrared Photography
Review: Infrared photography allows for very surreal, dramatic effects. I enjoyed taking pictures in it although I have since switched to the computer for similar effects in art work. (My main problem is I don't like working in a darkroom.) If you want to try infrared photography yourself, Paduano's work was the best I found. He was the best both on instructions and in the quality of his own infrared work. Even if you decide not to try infrared yourself, his photographs are well worth enjoying for their own sake.
Rating: 
Summary: Glorified Magazine
Review: Let's make this clear... I won't put any more effort into writing this review than the author spent on the book itself. So this is going to be short and sweet! This book is a glorified magazine. Worth $14.95 - tops. The pitfalls of bookbuying online, I guess. You never know what you are going to get. Anyways, most the book comprises photographs that actually discourage me from bothering with infrared. The text portion, however brief, is nothing more than a bland introduction to infrared. The uninitiated might even be led to believe that Kodak and Konica are the only game in town in infrared films. Throughout the book the author treats these two as the "Coke and Pepsi" of infrared films. I'm going to look elsewhere for a good source of info on this subject and suggest you do the same!
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS!
Review: Of all the books I have bought on photography this is one of a few that I feel the author has given the full extent of his knowledge. Something that I have found to be a rare commodity in photography books. Most books I have read, the author only touches the surface and does not go into any comprehensive detail on the subject. This is not the case with The Art of Infrared Photography . It starts at the basics and works its way masterfully into the technical. Easy to understand and the portfolio section of the book is awe inspiring.Truly a masterwork. Thanks Joe for providing the photographic community with a great book on infrared!
|
