IR contamination and black skin at DVinfo.net

Cees van Kempen · January 28th, 2010, 01:48 PM

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?

Bob Grant · January 28th, 2010, 04:01 PM

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.

Michael B. McGee · January 28th, 2010, 07:34 PM

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

Matt Davis · January 29th, 2010, 08:25 AM

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?

Cees van Kempen · January 30th, 2010, 06:36 AM

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

January 28th, 2010, 01:48 PM	#1
Cees van Kempen Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nieuw-Vossemeer, The Netherlands Posts: 455	IR contamination and black skin 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?

January 28th, 2010, 07:34 PM	#3
Michael B. McGee Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 318	as far as i know IR contamination only affects synthetic fabrics such as polyester. __________________ Los Angeles, CA DP/Cam Op www.MichaelBMcGee.co

January 29th, 2010, 08:25 AM	#4
Matt Davis Trustee Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,562	'a suffusion of yellow' 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? __________________ Director/Editor - MDMA Ltd: Write, Shoot, Edit, Publish - mattdavis.pro EX1 x2, C100 --> FCPX & PPro6

January 28th, 2010, 04:01 PM	#2
Bob Grant Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,570	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.

January 30th, 2010, 06:36 AM	#5
Cees van Kempen Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nieuw-Vossemeer, The Netherlands Posts: 455	Thanks guys for your input. Nothing to worry about, so it seems. No cosmetics over there.