How to create Abstract Images using ICM
Using Intentional Camera Movement to create abstract images.
Intentional Camera Movement or ICM is a technique that allows the photographer to create abstract images that blur reality and add a dreamy atmosphere to photographs. I was introduced to this technique about six years ago by landscape photographer Charlie Waite while I attended a Light & Land photographic tour of the Lake District. I had gone along very ill-prepared, I didn't even have a DSLR just a Panasonic bridge camera, but I was still made to feel very welcome and was taught so much in those few (mainly wet) days!Charlie showed me the technique he called 'painting the trees' where he put my camera on a tripod in a woodland area and, on a slow speed, focused on the lower part of the nearby trees and smoothly tilted the camera upwards to the sky while pressing the shutter release. He encouraged me to try this in both upward and downward directions to compare the results. One of the favourite images I have from this day was is shown below.
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| Blue trees |
During that landscape workshop I tried this technique a few more times, most seemed to work well when moving in the vertical plane but I also tried some moving horizontally too. Obviously it depends on your subject matter, tall upright subjects will work well vertically, landscapes and seascapes will look good sweeping the camera horizontally. A tripod is not really needed, either, especially for horizontal movement.
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| Horizontal camera movement |
You will need a camera with manual controls so you can set the speed and aperture to enhance the effect. If the light is bright, stop down the aperture or use a ND (neutral density) filter - like sunglasses for the camera. The camera speed should be quite slow, possibly even 2 seconds or more (with an ND filter). It's is best to experiment with the speed to see what works best in your lighting conditions but if it is too fast you won't get any movement. Set ISO to 100 if possible. It is also best to start the movement slightly before pressing the shutter and try to keep it smooth.
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| Bluebells in the woods |
If your camera has a zoom lens another ICM technique that has interesting effects is to zoom in or out with the lens while the shutter is released, in this case the camera isn't changing position but the size of the image on the sensor is. This method works best with the camera on a tripod, unless you have a really steady hand.
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| Semi-dandelion using the zoom technique |
Moving in circles, or with the expected motion of your subject can also be rewarding.
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| Duck dive, ICM following the movement of a white duck |
The images you take can be further enhanced with photo editing software such as Adobe Lightroom, how about changing the highlights and shadows or increasing saturation on some colours while reducing it in others? I only use Lightroom for editing, I don't have Photoshop, but I know that there are additional effects with textures and layers that can also be added in Photoshop, so if you have Ps have a play with these and let me know how you get on.
One thing that might work well in editing an ICM image is to lower the clarity to smooth out the blurred lines, again it depends on the effect you want to achieve. The rule seems to be that there are no rules - just play about and see what works best for you. This is time to experiment, have fun and see what results.
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| Spring |
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| Reeds |
https://creativemarket.com/liz.mitchell
this is one example -
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and another one that combines ICM (from left to right) with reflections.
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