I have been meaning to run this “try something new” series for quite a while (at least a year!). I set myself a challenge of trying something new, with my camera, each month, but the regularity has not been achieved.
That said, I’m starting off with ICM – intentional camera movement. It can be a handy excuse for a wobbly shot, but it’s also a great way of going abstract and adding something different to your image.
It can be a solution to your frustration with a flat, grey day, or your boredom with a place you visit regularly. It could be more than that too. It allows you to add atmosphere, to highlight certain elements in your image, and to add some anonymity to your images.
If you’re wondering what it is, it’s as obvious as its name. You can move the camera as you want: slow; fast; wiggle & juggle; up & down; left & right. You may know what to do to suit the image you have in your head, or you may need to play to get what you want.
Vertical movement was the obvious choice for this shot
The other question is how long to move for. That again depends on what you have in mind. You may want to hold still for a while and then move so that the image has more solidity. Or you may keep it short and fast. My main comment on this point is that if you make it too short it will just look like a mistake.
And how to do it? Well, there aren’t (m)any rules.
You just need a long enough exposure to do as much movement as you want. On a grey day you can get away with small aperture (F22 or smaller), a low ISO and a longish exposure. On a brighter day, you’ll need the help of an ND filter to keep out some of that light.
And if you have image stabilisation, turn it off. If you have fancy stabilisation on your camera or lens, you might only want to turn off wobble in one direction, depending on your plans.
A quick guide:
1) settings and filters
2) compose, bearing in mind how much you plan to move the camera
3) focus
4) GO!
I’ve tried out ICM a few times (last year’s trees and bluebells, below, being a favourite), and started playing a bit more seriously last month. So, here are a few that might inspire you to give it a go yourself. Click to see them larger, and I have added the direction of movement as a caption.
diagonal 
diagonal 
vertical 
vertical 
vertical 
vertical 
vertical 
vertical 
jiggly horizontal
horizontal
I’ll be back with some more soon, but do please link in your own ICMs, and leave your thoughts on what works and doesn’t.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 18 March 2020
Fun to see these photos, I have been exploring this a bit myself. I have fun playing around with lights, strands of lights.
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Yes, night and day ICM are quite different. I found it is often sharper at night and light trails are great fun.
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Unlike Jo above, I am a big fan of abstract art. So I really love these photos. You inspired me to try this again one day. Have to drag the SLR camera out again. The vertical snowdrop photo is the best along with the vertical ?tenement style buildings. Thanks for inspiring me.
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Delighted to give inspiration. If you don’t want to drag your SLR you could try a slow shooter app on your phone. Happy jiggling, and do share some of our images.
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A slow shooter app? I am not familiar with those. Thanks, I will look for one. Great tip.
Is there one that you can recommend, Debbie?
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Slow Shutter Cam seems to be people’s top pick.
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Is that available on android?
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Afraid not. Camera FV-5 is meant to be good android app
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I will look for that one. Thanks again.
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So much fun Debbie I really love the tree
Here’s my bit of ICM
http://bushboy.blog/2020/03/19/moving-the-camera-for-intentional-camera-movement-images/
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I enjoyed your arty moments, Brian. Nice to see birds in there, both fuzzy and virtual.
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Thanks Debbie 🙂 always try to get a bird in where I can 😀
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I’m going to have to try this when I’m not in full-out packing-to-move-next-week mode, Debbie. I think my favorites are the trees.
janet
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Oh how exciting and stressful. Good luck with the move Janet. And I look forward to some ICM when you have recovered.
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Or maybe before I recover. It might help. 🙂
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That is very true!
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I’m not a big fan of abstract art and to me this is in much the same category. The ones I like best are probably the least distorted. But that’s just me. Good to experiment, Debs 🙂 🙂
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I wasn’t really into abstract but it seems I’m easily impressed by impressionism 😉
By the end of our forthcoming lockdowns, the madness may get you too, Jo!
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I’ve just been scolded by a Portuguese person for eating cake with friends, Debs. I may not recover 😦 😦
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Very cool! Especially like those trees.
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i love these, especially the first one –
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Interesting technique and a much appreciated idea, during a time when I believe many of us will be seeing the exact same surroundings for weeks to come.
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wow, I am speechless, so successful! have to try.
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Nice one Debbie, works especially well for the plants and forest pictures
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What a good idea. We’re all going to be reduced to photos of our own back yard, pretty much, so finding new interest is quite a project.
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