Can I generate an image from jqplot's jqplotToImageStr({}) function in IE 8 and previous?

Can I generate an image from jqplot's jqplotToImageStr({}) function in IE
8 and previous?

I rely on jqplot's jqplotToImageStr({}) function to generate a png as
base64 string from my chart. Then I'm sending the base64 representation to
the server to do my job. The problem is that jqplotToImageStr({}) returns
null when browser (<= IE 8) does not support canvas. Is there a way I can
successfully use jqplotToImageStr({}) even in browsers non-aware of
canvas?