Ten ICMs - Trees

I like the fantastic variety on display here - from a subject with a seemingly narrow potential you've produced a beautiful and fascinating portfolio ranging from the abstract style of 2+4 to the impressionism of 6+8 naming just four of my favourites.
David
PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

ICM is short for 'intentional camera movement', there's no special software involved. The camera is deliberately moved during exposure to create an abstract or impressionistic effect (as in the style of Impressionist painters).

Thanks all for thoughts, comments and suggestions thus far...

John (Walkeja) and Andy (Andymat): apologies for not having explained this properly up front. As Russ has expertly summarised above, ICM is short for "Intentional Camera Movement", the deliberate movement of the camera during exposure, specifically for abstract/impressionistic effect. As a technique, it's been around for a while. I happen to like it because it can often give you a glimpse of something that might not have been immediately obvious at the time... a feeling, perhaps, or an impression... It's not everybody's cup of tea, so absolutely no offence taken here if it doesn't happen to be yours - appreciate your honesty.

Just to clarify, I don't do anything with software etc after the event (apart from adjust exposure, contrast etc), it either happens or doesn't at the time. Exposure length tends to vary from around half a sec to 8 secs or so - but usually around the 2-3 sec mark - whatever seems to work best at the time. Hand held tends to work best for me, although occasionally I do use a tripod.

Adrian: Agreed re bright bits of sky. I try and avoid them if possible... Shooting uphill/downhill/on slopes often works well... dusk/afterglow is good, as is heavy cloud, and rain... occasionally I compose with them in shot, sometimes if I have no choice (no 6) and sometimes if I think it helps composition (no 8 ) .

John, Russ, Andy, Karlo, Steve, Phil, Bjorn, Lenny, Barrie, Gary, David: Thanks for sharing thoughts and comments on which ones do/don't work for you... always useful... Lenny, I am looking at giving some of these an airing in May, nothing too exciting, just somewhere local...

Best

Bill

Thanks Bill for sharing some background to your techniques - it all helps with the learning process. And I doubt that I will ever stop learning - or even asking questions!!

The deeper you look into something, like photography, the more there is to learn, and try and experiment with. It's all very exciting and an inspiration to see your collection of images. And come to think of it, once you have a camera and a lens, one of the few techniques in photography that doesn't cost more money!

Cheers

Read the rest of what I said.

Thanks for showing them, but I think this is a effect I don't like.

#10 does almost work for me though.

Well I really like most of them, especially 1, 4 7, 9 and 10. I really like the abstractness of them, and would certainly hang a couple of them on my wall.

It is an interesting technique and one which is hard to do well I suspect, without the results just looking like duff photos. I have plenty of those, but none were ICMs .

I shall have to give it a try one of these days.

Bill

Thanks for sharing a bit about your technique - that will certainly help me in my future attempts!

Phil

Thanks all... good debate... will upload some icm landscape shots shortly...

Best