By popular demand here is the seventh episode of “Instant Inspiration”, something for you to try to overcome photographers block or if you simply want to give your photography a new angle. This epsiode is about using ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) for creative effects. For a bit of how-to, another photo and links to previous episodes 1 through 6 continue reading after the jump…..
Typically photographers avoid camera movement as a snowman the fire (pardon the seasonal pun), because nothing looks as bad as unsharp images due to (unintentional) camera shake. In order to ensure sharpness a rule of thumb suggest to set a shutter speed of at least 1/100 of the used focal length (so if you shoot with 200mm focal length use at least 1/200 sec shutter speed).
But you can also intentionally move your camera or your zoom (zooming in or out) while shooting with a slow shutter speed to achieve certain creative effects. This method is called ICM (Intentional Camera Movement). It takes a bit of practice and trial and error, but you can really get some “artsy” effects in your images with ICM.
The “Angel” image above was shot with 1/4 sec shutter speed at f/14 and ISO 200. I focused on the angel ornament and started to zoom out. While still turning the zoom I then pressed the shutter. With this method you can create this kind of barrel- or tunnel-effect, depending on how fast you turn the zoom or how slow the shutter speed is.
Another effect you can create is by moving the camera left to right (or right to left) while shooting with a slow shutter speed. The image above was taken with 1/4 sec @ f/9 and ISO 200. Generally, using a shutter speed of 1/4 sec is a good starting point for your experiments.
To match the season the two photos above were taken during my last visit to Nuremberg’s Christmas Market. But this method works also very well on a beach with horizontal movement or in the woods with trees (with vertical movement). Exemplary shots from my beach- and tree-portfolio (there was a photographic life before Street Photography) see below.
I hope you feel a bit inspired to try some ICM shots next time you go out with your camera.
Have fun!
Marcus
Related Posts:
Instant Inspiration (6) – Storefront Windows
Instant Inspiration (5) – Puddle Shooting
Instant Inspiration (4) – Juxtaposition
Instant Inspiration (3) – Silhouettes
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Intentional movement is so much fun! To my chagrin, I discovered that my camera doesn’t support zooming while clicking, and I had to move my body instead. Interesting results nevertheless. 🙂
Thanks for your comment 😊🙏 highly appreciated!
Sehr cool! Ich mag solche Aufnahmen. Hab ich ewig nimmer gemacht, wird also höchste Zeit!! Danke fürs erinnern, passt ja jetzt auch wunderbar zur Jahreszeit, Lichter…
Gerne doch 😀 und danke für den Kommentar 🙏
Love the last two pictures of ICM in nature! I’ve explored the technique with my Christmas lights but not outside like that. I’ll have to try that!
Thanks so much 😊🙏
Very interesting! I´m gonna try those.
~ Rebecca ~
Thanks so much 🙏😊 Would be interested in your results !
I will post them and link to your blog 😆.
Interesting idea. You have motivated me to try it out. Thanks.
Thanks so much for your feedback, it means a lot!
wow a super cool idea that you executed super super well. I’d love to try this out
Thanks Holly, appreciate your comment so much. Would love to see your results! Have fun!Marcus
Cool stuff Marcus! I really love the beach!! This is something I will definitely play with. 🙂
Thanks so much :-)) You definitely have more beaches near you than me ;-). My beach pic was taken on the Baltic Sea during a vacation a few years ago. Would love to see your results!
Yes, I’ll be sure to share them. If they come out ok 😉
Wonderful effects! Sort of like seeing the world suddenly after a few too many drinks. May try this while holiday sober, or otherwise.
🙂 Thank you so much for your comment! Having had a cup of mulled wine didn’t hurt the results 😉
That is so wonderful! And it’s not so easy to achieve these fantastic effects.
That is truly inspiring. Some day I will try this technique:)
Thanks, this means a lot. It is so cool if readers actually try this. Would love to see your results!
Dein Beitrag motiviert auch mal ‘verwischt’ Bilder zu machen. Die knalligen Farben gefallen mir.
Herzlichen Dank für Deinen Kommentar! Da ist viel Versuch und Irrtum dabei, aber es gibt so viele Möglichkeiten mit ICM zu spielen.
A subject I know little of but these images do make me want to try. Superb frames!
Thanks 🙂 Love your feedback and even more if you give it a try! Marcus
I’ll certainly give it a bash. Shots 1 and 3 are superb!! I wanna do that 😂😂