New Perspective

I enjoy finding ways to add artistic interest to my subjects with in-the-field techniques. This year I challenged myself to explore intentional camera movement (ICM).

ICM is exactly as it sounds – intentional movement - and requires no special equipment. You just move the camera while taking the photograph - horizontal, vertical, circles, zig zags, etcetera. This differs from multiple exposures, HDR or stacking (in the camera or in post-production) as you’re not layering several individual photographs.

Basically, it’s photographer’s choice though the subject may dictate the direction. For example, a stand of bamboo works very nicely with a vertical movement that mimics the lines of the bamboo stalks. That said, the same subject turns beautifully abstract with a zig zag or circular movement. You may have to lengthen the shutter speed to allow time for the movement and then compensate in aperture or ISO for the additional light exposure.

Here’s one of my early ICM favorites, taken at Magnolia Community Garden, Charleston, SC.

Behind the Lens

Garden Secrets – Strong lines and contrasting colors work nicely for this technique. In this instance, a gentle breeze added natural horizontal movement to my intentional vertical movement.

Shot with: Canon EOS 5DMark IV, ISO 100, f/22, 70 mm, 1/8 second