Hi all,
I tried my hand with some ICM photos while hiking in the woods. I've always liked the blurry trees type photos. I wanted to get some feedback on these and see what people think? Any advice on doing these type of photos would be appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance.
I do like the second one a bit more than the first, but they are both well composed photos.The main issue I see with the first is the streaks of sky at the top of the image. The second doesn't have this as such an element. I like the second because of the sense of wind I get from it. I have included some similar ones that I did as well.
Thanks. I was having trouble not getting the sky in the photos. I don't like it either. I suppose I can just crop it out.
You'll have to be careful. A sense of balance is very important here, and too much focus on the ground could made the composition off balance.
Hi Kyle, thanks for sharing. Just a few comments from one who has learned somewhat from making numerous errors.
I think the first image suffers on a couple of points;
1. The sky is a little distracting. If you don’t want t include you can try panning in a downward motion ( to ‘pull the ground up into the image’ rather than the sky down). You could also crop of course.
2. I find that most ICMs of this nature benefit from camera movement that complements the form of the subject. In this case your angle of motion is a little off detracting from the form of the trees.
The second image is much better in both respects, perhaps a little over-saturated for my liking.
The main thing is to ask yourself what you do/do not like about your work, and go with your gut. As you are asking I’m guessing you are not convinced yourself.
These are good images but there’s always room for improvement. If interested you can learn from my own challenges on my blog etc on my website- Alanbrownphotography.com
I am no way an expert, but have learned a lot over the past year and love sharing.
Hi Alan. Thanks for the advice. Do you use a tripod when doing these types of shots? Otherwise I find it really hard to keep the motion in a straight line. Another thing I think that would make these a little easier is a lens that isn't as wide. I was using a 16-35 and even at 35 I felt like too much of the scene was in frame. Think I'll also have to mess around with my settings a little more. I was surprised at how little I had to move the camera to get a good effect. This is definitely a trial and error process for me and I'm looking forward to trying more. I have checked out your wedsite and I love some of your work. Especially the ones where you move the camera a little bit and combine in photoshop I'm assuming? I think the one of the tree was photo of the day on here. I would love to try that technique but I really have no idea how you are doing it. I'd need to see a video or something. Anyways, thanks again!
Hi Kyle, just wanted to add this based on your questions about shooting which I hadn't read before I posted below. I often wish people would post how they actually take the shot and so here is that for you! I don't use a tripod. I get in a good stance and focus manually on the point where I want my image to start. I take it off auto focus so the lense doesn't try focusing during the shot. Then I lower the camera so that point I picked is about mid frame. The I start my motion and click the shutter immediately afterwords - hopefully just as the point I focused on hits the botton of the frame (luck is a major factor here!). This gives smooth motion throughout. Second, I think of the camera like it is anchored to my eye and flick up the end of my lense. The eye piece dosen't move and the "flick" creates more controlled motion then moving the entire camera. I think you'll have better luck getting the straight lines - if that is your goal. Lastly, I look for scenes with something fairly close and then empty space before the background. I just prefer the depth - personal opinion. Here is an example. Hope you dont mind me posting an image on your thread.
Hey Kyle, it is great that you are asking questions as it shows a desire to improve. I never use a tripod for ICM as it would be too restricting/mechanical. I like to visualize movement that complements the form of the subject (eg vertical for trees, following horizon contour for landscapes etc).
The ME shots I believe you are speaking of use a technique developed by a renowned artist named Pep Ventosa. You can search or visit his website to see examples. I have many references on my own site and entries in my blog.
The one thing I have found in ICM over the last year (when I committed to get a better understanding of how this stuff works) is that it is not a single technique, but a range of tools creating different results. (BTW - these I have tried to pull apart and describe in my blog).
I would also say that ICM has a need for experimentation to see what works for each individual - plan on taking a large number of shots of the same subject, varying camera/movement speed, direction and even just 'wiggling' the camera - analyzing the results on the back of the camera (I find a loupe helpful for this).
If you are really interested i would recommend you analyze the great work of others - I can highly recommend ICMphotomag(.com) for inspiration. This online magazine costs $10 but the featured artists are fantastic and there is a lot of insight provided throughout. The mag also has a Facegroup group you can join (search for the same), where a community of beginners through verterans post their images and discussions.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask if you have any more questions.
Here is a link to a specific blog entry on the technique you asked about, but there is lots of info outside of this following my own experimentation;
https://www.alanbrownphotography.com/blog/2019/11/11/in-the-round-lesson...
Thanks for all of the advice and resources Alan Brown and Ruth Carll ! Definitely going to have to get out there and give it another try.
Hi Kyle! Tough question. 'Good' is too subjective. If you ask me if these are successful, I'd say that they are, as a starting point. The suggestions I have are really personal opinion. I'm learning this process myself and could be off base.
My first suggestion is to get the movement looking really intentional. For that to be the case, the direction either needs to be straight up/down or strongly in what looks like a specific direction. Your swoop looks tentative and a little random. One way I acheive this is I start my motion just before hitting the shutter so that I'm engaged in the motion i want throughout the exposure.
My second suggestion is to look for subjects with more constrast throughout. This will help give depth to the images. It will also provide more interesting color / movement i think.
When I played with these, I did find that the second image has a cool ghostly quality in black and white that i find appealing.
Hope this helps! Looking forward to more. I hope to post some soon .... as soon as I get my own swoop grooving! 😊
Hey Kyle, I've just added a quick blog entry on my site detailing some considerations when shooting ICM and with a few examples showing the impact of camera speed on an image. Check out of interested, I'd love to know your/other's thoughts (ie if it helps/makes sense to you);
https://www.alanbrownphotography.com/blog
I do prefer both of them with all the sky cropped out of them. It gives them a more "moody" feel and a more mysterious feel to them. The sky in both of them makes me more conscious of - "oh, these are tree, that's the sky and it's taken in the woods."