September Challenge - Elevating with ICM
Just to kick off the September challenge. It is only after reviewing my bodies of work that I have come to understand how my ICM work has evolved over the years.
I think like most who wander into the 'world of blur' my primary intent was to create those highly abstract images that we tend to associate with the technique, a look that departs completely from our normality.
Looking at my later work I have noticed a far greater trend moving toward using ICM more of an enhancement layer to our reality, rather than a departure.
Don't get me wrong, there are still many times when I choose to blur with intent, but these tend to work in parallel with shots taken with more restraint, and ones I ultimately gravitate toward.
For example, shots 1 & 2 are earlier/later examples of trees, the latter shot with a desire to display the character of the trees.
Similarly, shots 3 & 4 are earlier/later shots of flowers.
The final shot remans a favorite, for the thought process as well as the result. This was taken at daybreak at a foggy Maine harbor. I wanted to maintain the ethereal atmosphere of sun streaming through the fog, but wanted to soften the harsh lines of the boats. This was achieved by allowing a prominent imprint prior to only a slight motion of the camera.
As an FYI - direction of camera movement was key here - I'll leave it up to you to see if you can determine the direction used.
Do you have instances where your technique or philosophy has changed over the years?
4 Comments
Great post, Alan! I like what you said about using the technique as "more of an enhancement layer to our reality." I think that's what really separates it as an art form, and you are able to achieve it so well. I'd recommend members checking out your blog page on ICM here ... https://www.alanbrownphotography.com/blog/the-power-of-imprint
Thanks PG. I think like anything else striking a balance as to what best fits the subject is key.
Wonderful captures and technique, a dreamy world inside photography.
The last photo is really something, I think of it as an ephemeral dreamy world that transposes ephemerality because it is there as a capture!
I also really enjoy the latter shot of the flowers, and I do have a question for you on that and your retrospective analysis of your work. Do you think that once you became more comfortable with the technique you dared to push it longer and a bit more "aggressive" (aggressive is not the word I'm looking for but it's the closest I can get at this moment) since you were more aware of what the result would be, in comparison to earlier work?
I am always keen to experiment and ask ‘what if’.
I have certainly become more comfortable with techniques and pushing boundaries after getting an understanding of what works (for me) and what doesn’t.
To that end I feel I now shoot with greater intent (although perhaps less often) and have a greater awareness of suitable subjects.