(IN CAMERA) ICM
ICM, or Intentional Camera Movement, is all about embracing movement and allowing the camera to become part of the creative process. Instead of simply recording a scene as we see it, we deliberately move the camera during the exposure to create a sense of motion, abstraction, and artistic expression.
For this week’s theme, your image must be created in camera using intentional camera movement. The movement of the camera is what creates the effect. This is not the same as keeping your camera perfectly steady on a tripod while allowing the subject itself to move. The camera must physically move during the exposure. But remember, we are not simply looking for a blurry image. ICM is an intentional photographic technique, and the fundamentals of good photography still apply. Rules of composition, balance, visual flow, colour, light, and the placement of elements within the frame are just as important here as they are in any other photograph. Your goal is to create an image where the movement enhances the composition rather than simply obscuring it.
To achieve enough movement during the exposure, you will likely need to use ND filters to extend your shutter speed, particularly when photographing in brighter conditions. Experiment with different shutter speeds to see how they affect the amount and quality of movement in your image. A slower shutter speed will give you more time to move the camera and can produce very different results from a faster exposure.
There are many ways to experiment with ICM. Try moving the camera vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or even using more unconventional movements such as twisting, rotating, or combining different directions. Think about how the direction and speed of your movement interact with the subject. Look for subjects that lend themselves to movement, such as trees, architecture, reflections, flowers, or city scenes. Pay particular attention to colour, shape, light, and form, and consider how your camera movement can transform an ordinary subject into something completely unexpected.
Most importantly, don't simply move the camera and hope for the best. Be intentional about your movement and think about what you want the final image to communicate. ICM is wonderfully unpredictable, so embrace the happy accidents, experiment, and have fun creating something that could never have been captured with a stationary camera.
Registration is Now Closed. Please come back at 2:00 pm PST to register for next week’s session.