“Instant Inspirations” is my series for you if you feel you suffer from “Photographer’s Block” or simply want to shoot something that you have never tried. Or at least not recently. Episode 33 is a Covid conform photographic activity and should inspire you to go out, properly socially distanced, and be creative. To find out what you can do with any camera that has manual controls, continue reading after the jump…
I did describe the ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) technique already in Episode 7 of my “Instant Inspirations” (you can find all of them in my free Learning Center). But given the fact that Covid cases are spiking again in Germany, and Nuremberg being a real hot spot, I’m lacking any kind of motivation to take my camera to the Streets of Nuremberg for my usual Street Photography. But why venture far when the good starts just a few yards behind the house.
So I grabbed my Olympus OM-D E-M1X with the mZuiko 12-100mm F/4 and headed into the woods behind the house for some creative ICM shooting. While normally photographers are keen on taking pin sharp photos, this time I was intentionally dialing in a slow shutter speed of 2.5 seconds.
The effects I was after I wanted to create by moving the camera slightly left to right or up and down (or a combination of both movements) while shooting with a slow shutter speed.
Another option is to gyrate the camera while pressing the shutter, as you can see in the above image of the mushroom.
Effectively using ICM takes a bit of practice and trial and error, but you can really get some “artsy” effects in your images with this technique. Doing it during bright daylight in the woods has also some technical advantages, besides the different colors and shapes of foliage and tree trunks being perfect and patient subjects. Shooting with slow shutter speeds during the day means you have to stop down to a tiny aperture (I used f/16 or f/22 for almost all images) and your lowest native ISO. Out in the open, your photograph would probably still be overexposed, so you would to attach a Neutral Density Filter to further reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor. But under the cover of the trees the light usually is already reduced enough that you can get away with 2.5 secs of shutter speed, which are a good starting point for this technique.
I hope you take some inspirations from this photos. Take your camera, go out and experiment intentionally moving your camera while shooting with very slow shutter speeds. I would love to see your results, post a link to your images in the comment section. Have fun!
Marcus
Related Posts:
Instant Inspiration (4) – Juxtaposition
Instant Inspiration (5) – Puddle Shooting
Some really great images in this set Marcus. It’s a style I experiment with every so often.
We’ve been hearing about Germany, France, Spain and other countries with more cases. It’s no better here. I’m glad you experimented in the woods. The second photo looks alike a double exposure – or like the yellow leaves are reflected in a window. Interesting and beautiful. The 7th also strikes me – lots of action!
Stay well, stay safe, stay creative. 🙂
Thanks, Lynn, I guess it is a nightmare everywhere where people don’t want to follow the basic rules (wearing masks and keep the distance). I really don’t feel like heading into the city, out in the nature is just fine, albeit difficult to do some street photography. Love your feedback on the ICM images. Stay safe! Marcus
I so need a photo project…get my eyes out of books and my body off the chair. I jumping in…thank you. 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting, Brenda, glad I could inspire you! Have fun shooting and stay safe! Marcus
Such a creative series, Marcus! I may need to pop out into my backyard and try it! Hope all is well.
All is well here, Amy, we are hanging in there. This little creative experiments are needed to stay sane. You guys stay safe as well! Marcus
Dankeschön und weiter gute Wünsche
für die Aufnahmen vom Waldbaden …
Danke auch für das Lesen, lieber Bernd. Alles Gute und vor allem Gesundheit!Marcus
Great results, reminds me of the pictorialist movement photos or impressionist paintings. Thinking about doing it on film but not sure if it would work in B/W – have you tried that?
Thanks so much for your kind words! As long as you have high contrasts in the images, it will definitely work in B/W as well. I’ve done it shooting street scenes in the city at night. The thing is, doing a lot of trial and error on film might by expensive 😉 Stay safe! Marcus
Great post! I like all your instant inspiration series, there are some very useful tips!
Thanks, Stuart, love your feedback! Marcus
The last photo especially is perfect for the fall and Halloween. Thanks for sharing, and I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe 🙂
Thanks, Cate, I always appreciate your visits and comments! We are all good so far, hope you guys as well! Lets keep fingers crossed! Marcus
Lovely experiments Marcus! Playing with settings will always bring fun results 🙂
Thanks, Yuri, appreciate your comment! Stay safe and happy shooting! Marcus
Klasse! Muss ich auch mal ausprobieren.
Danke! Und viel Spaß dabei! Marcus
Great idea 🙂
I’ve attempted this type of image before but the results were rubbish and looked just like bad out of focus photos. I am clearly doing something very wrong. Shutter speeds have always confused me. Your images are great. Hope you and your family are still staying safe there in Nuremberg.
Thanks for your kind words, Jill. We are all good and safe for now! Crazy times indeed. ICM takes a lot of trial and error. Dial in 2.5 secs or something similar in T (or S) mode (shutter speed priority). Then go our and pirate/pan happily, check the results on the back screen and adjust. A good way to keep busy and sane! Stay safe! Marcus
Thanks, glad you like it! Marcus