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Ektachrome Professional Infrared EIR Color Slide
Jan 27, 2021 14:24:50   #
Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC
 
Ektachrome “false color” infrared transparency shot with a Yellow #12 filter: Taken from a helicopter shortly after Hurricane Eloise had inundated Washington County Maryland with over 10 inches of rain in late September 1975. At the time I was an environmental planner for the county and was pressed into service to assist the county engineer in storm damage assessment from Eloise on the county's bridges. I had the “privilege” of riding “shotgun” in a chopper. This mission was an effort to save historical stone bridges over the Antietam Creek (site of the Civil War Battle of Sharpsburg).

For this task I was given one of the county’s Nikon F2s with a 50mm f/1.4 and told to capture the most revealing perspectives of the flooding magnitude on these bridges. The engine and wind noise from my open side was deafening. I could not hear the shutter release, only felt it. Possibly one of the higher stress assignments I’ve ever attempted. I chose Kodak Ektachrome Professional Infrared EIR Color Slide Film ISO 200, 35mm, 36 Exposure, Transparency Film since the cyan color (complementary to red) of the water would stand out in stark contrast to the bright red vegetation.

Background: Hurricane Eloise was the most destructive tropical cyclone of the 1975 Atlantic hurricane season. Across the Northeastern U.S., the storm system killed 17 people and inflicted $300 million in damage. In total the storm killed 80 people along its entire track; due to the severe damage, the name "Eloise" was retired from the Atlantic tropical cyclone naming lists.

One of the highest rainfall totals in association with Eloise occurred in Westminster, Maryland, where 14.23 inches (361 mm) of rain were recorded.

The floodgates at the Rocky Gorge Dam in Laurel, Maryland had to be opened to save the structure, forcing 500 residents downstream to abandon their homes. Maryland, Governor Marvin Mandel placed 10 of the state's 23 counties under a state of emergency.

Btw, this image would likely not have been possible with one of today’s drones… Wind gust bounced the helicopter around constantly, thus I was very thankful for the pilot’s skills for handling his craft in such turbulence.

Transparency copied via a Nikon ES-2 Digitizing Adapter using a D810 with an AF 60mm f/2.8D Nikkor. Digitizing light source was a $11.47 CREE 120 watt LED Flood Lamp K5000 +90 CRI with a frosted white diffuser (Home Depot)

Nikon F2 w/ 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor
Nikon F2 w/ 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor...
(Download)

Rainfall intensities associated with Eloise
Rainfall intensities associated with Eloise...

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Jan 27, 2021 14:48:21   #
BBurns Loc: South Bay, California
 
Great images.
I think I still have a couple of rolls of that in my freezer. E4 process if I remember correctly.

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Jan 27, 2021 15:32:49   #
Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC
 
BBurns thanks for your kind words! They are greatly appreciated...
I've noticed Ektachrome Infrared Color Slide Film is still being advertised on eBay...
In which they claim it's been refrigerated continuously since purchased... ~ $39 a roll...
I always refrigerated mine...

Might be an interesting emulsion for your Butterfly renderings :)
Thanks again and please stay safe...

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