I have read a lot about the IR contaminiation in this forum and have the following question. Shortly I will travel to Ethiopia/Sudan for a documentary shoot. Though nature will be the main object, there will also be a role for the local people. Some of the tribes I will visit are amongst the most beautiful people I know, but they can also be pitch black. I wonder, might I experience IR contamination whem filming these people? Wouldn't want them to turn reddish brown. Does anyone have experience with this?

Before I got the 486 filter I shot a stage show with black skinned performers. Most of the black fabric on the stage ended up brown. The skin was not affected. I suspect skin doesn't reflect much IR at all.

as far as i know IR contamination only affects synthetic fabrics such as polyester.

I've done shoots of a succession of interviewees under identical lighting situations.

I have seen an unnatural yellowness amongst those using (I presume) self-tanning products, and I guess certain cosmetics for darker skin tones too. Whatever it was, certain individuals turned yellow regardless of skin tone. It can be dialled out with Colorista or some such, but would really rather not get into that.

I hoped that I could wean myself off the Hi-Sat matrix assuming that it was the culprit, but whilst reducing it, it didn't remove it.

Perhaps I should try the 'IR' (or high red) filter.

Maybe certain cosmetics do the same thing as polyester?

Thanks guys for your input. Nothing to worry about, so it seems. No cosmetics over there.