Digital IR shot of a Paris house hiding behind cascading tree leaves

What Lurks Behind These Leaves? – One-Shot Story

By Dave Powell

18 November, 2025

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One Shot Story

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Flora Photograpy
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As mentioned here, interesting abstract photos are often mysterious. Like roads, walking paths or stairs to destinations unseen. Or images that hide other information. Like what’s behind the cascading leaves in this Paris 2010 digital IR.

Taken with my pet Nikon CoolPix 990.

Yeah, OK. One can just make out a door and window behind them. But who lives here? What’s it like behind those portals? And why do the people in there put up with all that chlorophyll?

One’s imagination runs wild.

I would have liked to hang around until someone stepped out. Or dashed in. But we were on tour. And my “pic-lagging” had already irritated our guide.

So it was snap-and-run for me!

–Dave Powell is a Westford, Mass., writer and avid amateur photographer.

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About The Author

By Dave Powell
Trained in mathematics, physics, computer programming and science journalism. Retired mathematician, award-winning technical and journalistic writer. Past winner of an international business-journalism equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. And past author and editorial advisor for Sesame Street... where I regularly worked with Jim Henson and Kermit! Now enjoying "retirement studies" of photography, quantum physics and "scientific spirituality." (And restoring a shamefully lapsed relationship with the piano.)
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Comments

Gary Smith on What Lurks Behind These Leaves? – One-Shot Story

Comment posted: 18/11/2025

As soon as I saw the white leaves I said to myself: who here shoots IR?
I should have known it would be you, Dave.
Great photo!
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Dave Powell replied:

Comment posted: 18/11/2025

Thanks muchly Gary... And who around here still palls around with an IR CoolPix 990!!!

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Michael Flory on What Lurks Behind These Leaves? – One-Shot Story

Comment posted: 19/11/2025

Dave, you're putting me to shame. I still have to do the write-up of my CoolPix 990 experiments (and the last shots from my DSC-F828 and my failed attempt to convert the DSC-R1 to IR and the perhaps not-yet-finished sage of the old Canon Digital Rebels...).
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Dave Powell replied:

Comment posted: 19/11/2025

Hi Again Michael! Sorry that the DSC-R1 conversion didn't go well. Good on you for trying, though! It's such a marvelously flexible F828 successor that I'd have been tempted to try too. And I may if I find a decent YouTube procedural. But the closest I've found so far is this DSC-H9 conversion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnK7sTCrKcY . How does its process compare with your R1 experience? If it's simpler, you may want to try an H9 next. Its slightly less resolution may not be as critical in IR images. (Watch to the end to see how flexible the end result is.) He even uses a piece of unexposed, developed film for an IR cut filter. But a Kodachrome black slide like I used in my 35mmc article might produce better IR results. If you try an H9 and succeed, write it up! (I may give it a go as well... but will hold off writing until you go first.) Best of Luck! /Dave

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Paul Quellin on What Lurks Behind These Leaves? – One-Shot Story

Comment posted: 20/11/2025

A really lovely photograph Dave. A door provides a sense of intrigue in a photograph anyway, so partially cover it it leaves and I think it has to be a successful formula. The IR adds an otherworldly feel. An image I really enjoying viewing.
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Dave Powell replied:

Comment posted: 20/11/2025

Thanks so much Paul... I really appreciate that!

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