• 0
  • 0
Alan Brown's picture
Alan Brown

For those interested in learning or improving ICM

ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) is an umbrella technique that allows a level of creativity but is often not understood. Quite often it is tried but put to one side following disappointing results.

As a goal to gain an understanding and improve I have been studying the various ICM techniques for some time now, detailing both my findings an results on my website.

I think my journey may be helpful to any photographer that would like to embark on ICM or improve understanding. I do not consider myself in any way to be an expert on the subject, but feel that others can benefit from my experiences over the past year + and quickly achieve exciting results.

If interested check out my blog entries over the past year (latest is a multi-part guide to techniques in use today) and end results in my Galleries;

https://www.alanbrownphotography.com/blog

Feel free to make DM contact via the site if you have specific questions - I'm always willing to help.

Log in or register to post comments
10 Comments
mikeo's picture
mikeo

Thanks Alan... I've been somewhat intimidated by icm so I'll definitely be taking a look...

  • 3
  • 0
Alan Brown's picture
Alan Brown mikeo

To start out with I'd suggest a linear pan/motion that works in harmony with the subject (eg up/down for trees, horizontal for sea/waterscapes etc). You'll typically need a shutter speed of 1/15hsec or longer, so may have to take as light is falling or use an ND filter (6 stop is typically recommended).
The main thing is to experiment, enjoy and don't get discouraged if results aren't stellar at first.

  • 1
  • 0
mikeo's picture
mikeo Alan Brown

Thanks Alan...
I will certainly try it out yes.
Ive also read your blog and youve taken a lot of the mystique out of ICM so i no longer fear the unknown and will be trying out this genre.
Regards,
Mike

  • 2
  • 0
mikeo's picture
mikeo mikeo

Hi Alan, ok, so i now have the opportunity to try out ICM and thr plan is...
I've decided that I'm not going to pay much attention to composition, lighting, settings etc etc etc and instead I'm just going to go out there and move that camera and see what happens. That way i wont be hypercritical about the results and hopefully learn something in the process...
Regards,
Mike

  • 2
  • 0
Alan Brown's picture
Alan Brown mikeo

Good luck Mike. The main thing is to have fun and learn from the results. I’m sure if nothing else they will be interesting. Perhaps you’d be willing to post?

  • 1
  • 0
Alan Brown's picture
Alan Brown Alan Brown

also Mike, I have just published the last/4th part of the ICM series on my site. This features recommendations I have gained from my own experiences and from others.
View only as you see fit, be sure this doesn't interfere with you getting out there and being a free spirit;

https://www.alanbrownphotography.com/blog/2020/8/17/a-journey-of-icm-dis...

  • 1
  • 0
mikeo's picture
mikeo Alan Brown

Hi Alan, i hadn't abandoned the quest and ive just returned from two weeks in the bush at Marloth Park here in SA. It's a place where the african wild animals roam freely between the holiday homes. While there i tried out a number of ICM shots with some interesting results and also learned somewhat ...
I havent had the chance to download the shots as yet (just on 2,000 of them including the ICM images.
I'll upload with commentary as soon as i am able to....
Regards,
Mike

  • 2
  • 0
Alan Brown's picture
Alan Brown mikeo

Fantastic Mike - I am really looking forward to see what you come up with.

  • 1
  • 0
Ruth Carll's picture
Ruth Carll mikeo

Hi Mike - I also recommend trying some play first but i would, once you get comfortable, put composition back into play. All works, including abstracts still benefit from the rules of photography. Here are some to illustrate my point. The first two are sucessfull ICM but lack composition. The second two are successfull ICM photographs (i think) as they also have composition. What do you think?

  • 0
  • 0
mikeo's picture
mikeo Ruth Carll

Hi Ruth, i do agree yes... the aim of the exercise for me was firstly to learn what the different types of movement would do to the image and yes, it did indeed help me. Along the way though I also learned so much more about how my camera settings worked in this genre. But, this pre-empts my uploads (which I'm working on)....
Tje other aspects such as composition and others I will incorporate as I progress...
I do feel that being abstract does allow you to apply all of those much more loosely. For example I absolutely love your second image because it has a certain mood for me even though composition might not have been the primary concern.
Thanks so much for your feedback - I really appreciate it and need all the help and advice I can get...
Regards,
Mike

  • 1
  • 0