(POSSIBLY )
THE LAST ROLL OF COLOUR INFRARED FILM IN CANADA B.C. photographer
BOB ST. CYR
experiments with a rare roll of film that works on a whole other spectrum.
I’M ALWAYS excited about the experimental opportunities analog processes offer my fine art practice. Years ago, I purchased a roll of Kodak Ektachrome Infrared (EIR) 35mm, colour transparency/slide film. I don’t know why I waited so long to use it but, somehow last year, I felt the time was right. Working with infrared film is not like working with regular film because it is sensitive to a different part of the electromagnetic spectrum (700–900 nanometres [nm]). In other words, this film is sensitive to a different type of light than the human eye and requires special handling and special lens filters. Your camera cannot have infrared sensors or a small window in the film back. I use my Nikon FM2n. 32 photo ED
You need filters. One of the differences between colour and black and white infrared film is that with colour I can use a yellow (Cokin 001) or an orange (Cokin 002) filter while composing and focusing normally through the lens, but black and white infrared film requires a very dark filter, such as the Cokin 007, requiring composition first in the viewfinder, and then affixing the filter to take the shot. Kodak recommends loading and unloading the film in total darkness to avoid fogging the film. I loaded my EIR film in moderately low lighting and did notice a little fogging on some of the slide frames. Lesson learned: pay attention to manufacturer’s instructions.
