Intentional Camera Movement Technique (Open Thread)

[ShaneS]

Based on some comments on a previous thread it seems that others might be interested in trying their hand at ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) so I though that I would start an open thread where everyone can share their images created with the technique.

The variability of results that can come from this technique are quite wide but I hope this thread might be a place for those who wish to use it as a form of artistic expression to share and discuss insights on their use of the technique.

I'll start with an image of the mist covered mountains behind our home.



Your thoughts on this image would be appreciated.

[Rita]

I really like the effect of this. I manage to blur my images quit a bit but it hasn't been what I am aiming for
Maybe I should try and do it intentionally and see what I come up with

[bambleweeney]

Camera movement, the first combining camera movement (to blur the trees) with off camera flash (to freeze the grasses)



... the second, two exposures blended, one with camera movement and one without



I find this a useful technique for adding mood to an image. Method one is a bit hit and miss trying to move the camera the right ammount at the right time to get the composition you want with the flash and ambient exposures balanced, method two is a lot easier to acheive exactly what you want with Photoshop and masking.

[Donald]

What an excellent start to this thread. Three great images that give lots of food for thought.

[Saorsa]

It doesn't take me long to get bore photographing fireworks displays. As a result, I like to start panning and zooming as they go off. It makes for some interesting patterns.

[Mike Buckley]

Great thread with wonderful examples and explanations of how they were made!

[shreds]

This is one I took a while ago whilst waiting for it to get light.

Not altogether happy with it and to be honest have not really tried the technique since.

Probably more trees in the frame would have helped. I like the idea of mixing with off camera flash, mentioned above, that may get a go in the future.

[dragon76]

I second panning. Great way to depict speed

Wild Ducks flying



F22, approx 1.5 seconds pan. Image was taken at midday.

Taxi at Treasury



F22, Midday.

[bambleweeney]

A couple more that didn't quite make it but the technique is useful(ish)
Two images at different exposures and some Photoshoppery



Same again but with added off camera flash



Basically I live in a highly and densly forested area where the trees sort of get in the way. Using this technique I can reduce the importance of the trees in the frame and just limit their presence to a sort of foresty suggestion. The trick is knowing just how much to move the camera, the direction you want to move it (I used a tripod for these to allow purely vertical movement to match the tree 'direction'), what you want as a subject and how much light you want on it. It's pretty rare that it all comes together at the first attempt

[RustBeltRaw]

I use ICM for party shots with lights in the background. It can create some pretty cool effects.



In most of these, I'm basically spinning the camera about the lens axis. When coupling the camera motion with flash, it's important to start rotating the camera before you hit the shutter. That removes any weird stuttering artifacts from beginning the spin, and keeps the light swirling smoothly around a central subject. Making it work hand-held with off-center subjects is hit and miss. You also need to try hitting your framing on the fly when the flash fires (first and second curtain syncs both work). Tricky stuff.

[Wavelength]

Many awesome images here.....

[FootLoose]

As Donald said, these are great images. I like Paul's idea of combining still with icm.

Here are a couple of my own humble efforts from yesterday afternoon. One thing I figured out: the direction of the camera movement is important when shooting moving subjects.

[ShaneS]

What a cool start to the thread! I had no idea that we had so many closet ICM'ers

I like the idea of combining two images into one in Photoshop but have also considered in-camera double exposure where one is a static shot and the other ICM. It would be a bit more unpredictable which may provide some interesting results.

As stated above the direction and speed of the camera movement can produce very different results. Off camera flash is a bit above my skill level (and equipment) at the moment but I like the effect.

If you are interested take a moment to look at a video titled Doug Chinnery - Creative Landscape Photography which is part two of a very interesting three part series. In this one he demonstrates the variety of camera movements that he uses. The other two are worth a watch as well (Part 1 is an overview and Part 3 talks about what type of PP he does on the images).

Thanks for sharing your images and technique tips - keep 'em coming

[Saorsa]

What a cool start to the thread!

As stated above the direction and speed of the camera movement can produce very different results. Off camera flash is a bit above my skill level (and equipment) at the moment but I like the effect.

It really shouldn't be above your skill level. Almost any cheap electronic flash will give you manual control of the time by providing a pushbutton on the flash.

There are some really cheap slave flashes that have this capability and can also be used to provide additional direction and power options to the popup on almost all cameras.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice and interesting images.

[Kris V]

I still moved the camera too fast, and it was windy, but this in one of the slew of ICM pictures I took that didn't end up in the trash immediately. I still need a lot more practice!


And this is 100% Photoshop. The picture was soft to begin with, and I added a slight motion blur to it.

[FootLoose]

I like the first one, Kris, it does look like a windy day to me.

[Kris V]

I like the first one, Kris, it does look like a windy day to me.

Thanks Greg.
This is new territory for me, so most of it is trial and error, and error, and error....

[FootLoose]

Thanks Greg.
This is new territory for me, so most of it is trial and error, and error, and error....

Ditto, Kris.

[FootLoose]

Some may find this useful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HiZ6zSStBo

Shows techniques for shooting blur and demonstrates different techniques.