One of the key point of CLiR workflow: you can edit an infrared image, while acessing all RAW parameters in Lightroom or Camera RAW via Photoshop.

In CLiR release v1.2 we’ve included over 400 dcp profiles that should cover most of brands and models for infrared. This article is about how to install them properly.

Editing infrared image in Lighthroom with CLiR Workflow:

Left side: RAW infrared without dcp profile

Right side: RAW infrared with CLiR dcp profile

Left side: RAW infrared without dcp profile

Right side: RAW infrared with CLiR dcp profile

Pretty good… so… 

Why do I have to use an Infrared custom profile?

CLiR Infrared profiles are to bridge the gap between RAW editing and White Balance, when using Adobe Camera RAW, Photoshop or Lightroom.

By now we’re quite sure that you’ve realized that digital infrared photography is very special. Therefore, it needs special attention when it comes to White Balance. While shooting, and while developping your images.

CLiR workflow will let you enjoy digital photography processing on RAW files, which is a true game changer.

For that matter, and because we need to set our infrared camera to White Balance settings out of the ordinary, CLiR is the ideal solution that tells Camera Raw that we are willing to go beyond the 2000K limit of a RAW file rendered by Adobe’s engine.

 

Introducing the CLiR Infrared Normalization.

CLiR Infrared dcp profile is setting Adobe DNG / RAW engine to interpret of White Balance properly. 

Infrared Normalization bridges the gap between editing RAW Infrared images and decoding White Balance inside of Lightroom or Adobe Camera RAW.

Frequently Asked Questions 

I have many filters for my camera. How many profiles do I need ?

You only need to install one profile per camera, even if you own multiple filters.

A “dcp” profile, also known as “camera-centric”, is specific to a particular camera model and brand because it is created using the unique color data captured by that camera’s sensor. It cannot be duplicated or used for another camera model, even if they are from the same brand. For example, renaming a file from “Canon 5D Mark II” to “Canon 5D Mark III” won’t work for the latter. A dcp profile must be constructed using a RAW file from the camera for which it is intended.

The list of dcp profiles supplied with CLiR 1.2 Mastery Course

When to use CLiR Infrared Profiles?

Use CLiR Infrared custom dcp profiles when shooting with the following filters:

  • Dual Pass (blue glass, “Super Blue”, blocks Visible Light, pass UV and iR)
  • 550nm (orange)
  • 590nm (deep orange)
  • 665nm (red)
  • 720nm (deep red)
  • 820nm and above (black)

Note 1: LifePixel “Hyper Color” (470nm), and Kolari iRChrome (blue glass filter) do not need Infrared custom dcp profiles for editing. These two are the only exceptions.

Note 2: When editing RAW with infrared dcp profile for better White Balance renderingit is now up to you to adjust and optimize the Temperature + Tint sliders to get maximum color separation and diversity, and reduce color cast.

TIP: When shooting with Kolari “IR Chrome” filter, I’d advise you to set your camera internal Custom White Balance (CWB) to 10,000K. That’s a nice start to enjoy this filter.

My camera is not listed. What shall I do?
If you cannot find your camera’s brand and model in the CLiR Infrared dcp Profile Library…

infrared RAW file for dcp profile

⭐️ How do I install a “dcp” profile for my camera on my computer?

I’ll explain how to get to these locations below.
I recommand that you copy/paste the location adress if you’re not sure about the spelling.

Camera profiles location on Windows:

myusername > AppData > Roaming > Adobe > CameraRaw > CameraProfiles

Camera profiles location on Mac:

~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/CameraProfiles

Note for Mac users: the “tilda” at the beginning of the adress is crucial. Don’t forget it.

Once you have located you dcp file in the “CLiR CUSTOM DNG CAMERA PROFILES” you can copy in (Ctrl. C for PC, Cmd. C for Mac)

⚠️  If any Adobe applications are running, please quit these before the profile installation process.

WINDOWS USERS

Type %AppData% into the address bar

Click “Open”, you will be in this location

myusername > AppData > Roaming

Navigate to

Roaming > Adobe > CameraRaw > CameraProfiles

You are now here:

myusername > AppData > Roaming > Adobe > CameraRaw > CameraProfiles

Example in my case:

Pierre > AppData > Roaming > Adobe > CameraRaw > CameraProfiles
or
C:Users/Pierre/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/CameraRaw/Camera Profiles

Finally, paste your “dcp” file here

myusername > AppData > Roaming > Adobe > CameraRaw > CameraProfiles

 That’s it !

Mac OS users

In the Finder, press Shift + Command + G
or use the menu Go > Go to Folder…

Copy the adress below :

~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/CameraProfiles

Paste the adress and click “Go”

The finder brings you in the correct location.
Paste your “dcp” file here:

~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/CameraProfiles

That’s it !

Conclusion

✅ Camera profiles location on Windows:

myusername > AppData > Roaming > Adobe > CameraRaw > CameraProfiles

✅ Camera profiles location on Mac:

~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/CameraProfiles

⚠️ TILDA sign “~” is IMPORTANT! It has to be in there, otherwise you’ll end up in the wrong folder

❌ /Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/CameraProfiles

✅ Checking “dcp” files installation

Open a RAW file in Lightroom or Camera RAW via Photoshop.

Here, I am opening a Canon 60D infrared image. I’ve installed the “dcp” profile for the 60D as described above. 

Here, I am opening a Canon 60D  infrared image. I’ve installed the “dcp” profile for the 60D as described above.

Click the icon to browse installed “dcp” profiles

Click “Profiles”

Under the disclosed triangle, the profile for the Canon 60D is listed

Click “Canon EOS 60D CLiR”

The file “Canon EOS 60D CLiR.dcp” has been properly installed

Notice that when a custom CLiR profile has been applied, the image changes.

This is looking good now because we’ll have plenty of tones and colors to play with (as opposed to a red washed-out image…)

Now it’s time to adjust white balance using temperature & tint sliders. Adjust them by hand first to see what each one is doing.

Although the dcp profile has been set properly to render iR White Balance, it is now up to you to adjust and optimize the Temperature + Tint sliders to get maximum color separation and diversity.

Setting-up the dcp profile is not going to optimize White Balance by itself. You have to adjust it.

Now you are in control. Setting-up the dcp profile is not going to optimize White Balance by itself. You have to adjust it.

That’s a wrap !

You might want to check the second part of this article:

How to Import infrared Profiles in Adobe Camera RAW & LIGHTROOM