Lens-Artists Challenge #321 – Intentional Camera Movement
I was excited when Anne (of Slow Shutter Speed) presented the theme for this week’s lens artists challenge. She wrote she had “never really attempted to do this except for the occasional image.” Looking at her images, you will realize she aced the task with her beautiful photos. I am new to ICM and have only started experimenting in 2022. Nowadays, whenever I am out and about getting new photos, I often leave room for ICM experimentation. For this week, I decided I was going to get new images. In one of my biking trips, I captured all but the last image you’ll see here.
Using a shutter speed of 1/30 seconds for the featured image, I barely moved my camera. I intended to create an impressionistic view of Brushy Creek. For the following image, I used the curving tree trunks to create Dancing Partners. The camera motion was more noticeable because of the 1/13 sec shutter speed. I moved the camera vertically with a slight body motion to the right to accent the trees’ curves.
Biking along, I saw the strong textures in some trees nearby. The scene was perfect for a vertical motion using 1/20 sec shutter speed. If you are wondering what shutter speed I choose, it is all experimental. If I want a lot of motion, I lower the shutter speed. That way, I do not have to move the camera too much. Although the previous photo is very abstract, that was not the case with the featured picture. The same is true with the following photo. The viewer has a good idea of what the image would look like without the intentional movement.
Here is a new ICM subject. I had never done ICM wildlife. However, I knew I had a good subject when I saw several Queen butterflies going from flower to flower. Since they already move a lot, I increased my shutter speed to 1/50 sec to keep a semblance of the scene I was photographing. For this edit, I also added a canvas texture to increase the painterly look of the photo.
When I stopped for a break, I looked back and saw the beautiful dappled light filtering through the trees in the next photo. It gave me the excuse to photograph my new gravel bike with an accented abstract look. I had other ICM photos where the bike was more noticeable. However, as a matter of preference, I chose the photo below. I did not want the bike to be too obvious. I liked the layered looks of shadows and highlights. Look at the lower right quadrant if you cannot spot the bicycle easily. You will see a faint red thing: that is my bike seat.
As you can see, ICM is fun and allows you to decide how much you want to show in the scene you photograph. Highlights and shadows are essential for me when creating ICM photos.
The final photo I photographed just yesterday during the US Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin. I’ve been attending the Circuit of the Americas races ever since they opened that track. I even bike there on Tuesday evenings several times a year. So, on Sunday, during the main race, I thought it would be fun to try an ICM composition. I captured about a dozen images and liked this one, which had a lot of blur. That is Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari during his victory lap. I used reverse panning to obtain the ICM. In other words, instead of following the car, I moved the camera in the opposite direction, creating more motion and blur.
I cannot say I have a favorite image in this set. I liked the different experiments and results. Do you have a favorite?
I also follow Kathleen’s monthly ICMPC (ICM Photo Challenge) on her blog. I am double-dipping in this post, covering two challenges with these entries. If you like ICM photography, you can check out Kathleen’s monthly entry here.
I am still mesmerized by your looking-back photos for Sofia’s challenge last week. That theme touched us all, didn’t it? I thoroughly loved the photos you shared. This week Anne has asked us to create ICM beauties. I am a fan of ICM and know I’ll see a lot of beautiful photos. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when responding to Anne’s challenge so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, Ritva will return with a new challenge. Tune in next Saturday at noon EDT in the USA. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
Until then, keep on clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Terri Webster Schrandt
Blurry IS beautiful, Egidio! Nicely done. I haven’t tackled ICM yet.
The trails look great but I really like the race car!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Terri. I’m happy you liked the photos, especially the race car. I look forward to seeing your experiments.
Vicki
Nice variety in this series, Egidio. The 2nd and 3rd images are my favourites. I’m beginning to think trees are one of the best subjects going by the Lens-Artists blogs I’ve looked at so far.
I don’t think I’ve kept any of my ICM images as, over the years, I’ve never produced anything interesting.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for your detailed feedback, Vicki. I appreciate that. You are right. It seems that trees are an ICM favorite. That was one reason I wanted to try new things (wildlife and the race car).
JohnRH
Great photos Egidio. I love that Formula 1 shot!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. I was surprised at the result. It was what I thought would happen. The hard thing about ICM is trying to imagine something and accomplishing it.
Kathleen Jennette
Yes. Yes, yes! They all look so painterly which you know i just love! Thanks so much for joining in!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment, Kathleen. Lately, I’ve been trying some painterly edits. These ICM photos helped me do a bit of that.
Anne Sandler
Well done, Egidio! I can see that you enjoy ICM. I hope you continue the fun of ICM and show us even more great images.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Anne. This was a fun challenge.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
I really appreciate your way of doing ICM, first one is so LOVELY, and all the tree images looked just like abstract art
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Ritva. So glad you liked them. I had fun creating them. I’m looking forward to your challenge.
margaret21
Blurry but beautiful says it all!
Egidio Leitao
That’s so kind of you to say that. Many thanks.
Yanaj *
I love this diverse collection, especially the tree and the butterflies. It’s special, that you were able to capture them in this beautiful picture. Lovely, fitting title as well. And for a beginner like me very useful: the added shutter speed. Thank you for this wonderful share, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Yanaj, first of all, thank you kindly for writing. The butterflies were a total surprise for me. I did not expect to run into a scene with several butterflies. I’m glad the shutter speed was helpful. Thanks again.
Toonsarah
I love the variety in your ICM images, with more or less abstraction in each. You asked about favourites – I would choose Dancing Partners (so delicate!), Into the Forest (like an Impressionist painting) and the shot of Leclerc (really clever to do the reverse panning like that and very effective)
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the detailed feedback, Sarah. Dancing Partners was very light. I especially appreciate your feedback on the Formula 1 car. It’s good to hear that reverse panning was effective in creating that ICM. Thanks again.
Wandering Dawgs
Wow! These are all fantastic! My favorites are the beautiful landscapes. I also really like the race car. I’m sure Austin was crazy this weekend with all of the football fans and all of the race fans.
Egidio Leitao
First, thank you for the kind feedback. Yes, Austin was a chaotic place to be this weekend. I only experienced Formula 1, and it was super crowded.
Sylvia Bacon
Great pictures, Egidio! I especially like Dancing Partners and Autumn Queens. Such beautiful colors and graceful lines!! Thank you for sharing these.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Sylvia, for such kind feedback. I’m glad you liked the photos.
Rebecca Cuningham
Great blurred shots. I like the butterflies.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Rebecca.
Sofia Alves
Wonderful, Egídio. The first one is so peaceful, it does remind of a painting. The butterflies are my favourite. I think it was very clever the editing of an already beautiful photo.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sofia. I generally don’t add textures to my edits, but the butterfly photo seemed so appropriate. I’m glad you liked it.
Tina Schell
Well done Egídio! The butterfly image is spectacular imho! I’d frame that one. I found the race car really interesting and hadn’t thought of moving the camera in the opposite direction, very clever! Also loved both of the tree images.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Tina. As I told Sofia, I seldom add textures to my edits, but that image seemed like a perfect candidate. As for the car, I’m glad I tried the reverse panning. I had other shots of the car, but liked that one a lot. Thanks for your feedback.
Leya
You manage every challenge superbly, Egidio! This one gave me many favourites: the trees, the racing car, the butterflies…♥♥♥♥♥♥♥But, my favourite is the first one. It emanates peacefulness and silence.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Ann-Christine. I’m glad I took the time to capture those images for the challenge.
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