Long exposures and intentional camera movement (ICM) open up a side of photography that’s impossible to capture with the naked eye. They create ghostly, dynamic images that capture the essence of movement, emotion, and atmosphere, transforming everyday scenes into ethereal, dreamlike compositions.
Coming to you from Alex Kilbee with The Photographic Eye, this engaging video explores the artistry behind slow shutter speeds, highlighting how long exposures bring out unique aspects of motion and time that we can’t perceive otherwise. Kilbee’s fascination began with an old, chaotic photo of a rodeo rider that appeared in a book from his childhood. The image, bursting with energy, left a lasting impression. Kilbee reflects on how the blur and movement within the frame captured the essence of the scene far more vividly than a sharp, still image could have. This insight into the emotive potential of ICM illustrates how long exposure can capture not only the action but also the mood of the moment, preserving a visual memory that evokes something deeply human.
Kilbee introduces viewers to photographers like Hal Eastman, whose long-exposure shots of dancers reveal a controlled chaos—movements suspended in time yet unrestricted by stillness. Eastman’s work maintains focus on specific details within the blur, providing the viewer’s eye with something to hold on to within the image’s overall flow. This balance between structure and abstraction serves as a useful technique when experimenting with ICM. Without a focal point, long-exposure photos can easily become an indistinct blur, but Kilbee points out that grounding the composition with a strong, static element gives the image a sense of depth and intentionality.
Kilbee also examines the more extreme side of long exposure with photographer Chris McCaw, who takes hours-long exposures that literally burn the sun’s path into the film. In McCaw’s work, the sun etches its trail across the frame, showing not just light but the actual effect of time on the film. These intense exposures require specialized equipment like heavy ND filters, but they offer a striking look at the intersection of photography and physical change. The sunburned images reflect the passage of time in a raw, almost experimental way, adding a layer of reality that even digital manipulation can’t replicate.
If you’re interested in experimenting with long exposure and ICM, Kilbee suggests focusing on scenes with clear, static elements—trees, buildings, or rocks—combined with moving subjects or light sources. For those wanting to add a touch of fantasy to their work, he introduces Joyce Tenneson’s ethereal portraits, created with techniques like soft focus and selective lighting. Her dreamlike compositions, crafted with the interplay of light and shadow, show how long exposure techniques can blend reality with imagination, producing images that feel timeless. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Kilbee.
