A cool hack to create ICM in post-production (Blog #36)

Hi! and welcome to my latest blog, which this week is a hack to create an intentional camera movement (ICM) look in your photographs without all the hassle of changing settings on your camera. Things are slightly different this week because I will be including some words and photographs from another Instagrammer.

So what do we mean when we talk about intentional camera movement or ICM? Basically, it is all about creatively manipulating your camera during exposure to produce unique and abstract images. That's the 'traditional' method, but I want to show you another way.

ICM isn't a technique I have used; I knew of its existence, but hadn't until now felt the need to use it. The hack I am about to show you has certainly brought it on to my to do list, and after you've read this blog, you may also want to add it to your photography techniques.

Someone I follow on Instagram @mindfulsnapper444, and whose work I admire, has very kindly shared their ICM technique and images, and a look into how this has evolved. 

In their own words:

'For me ICM photos are produced by using a shutter speed around 8 or 4, focusing on the subject (trees work best), and jerking the lens upwards or to the side just as I press the shutter. Another method is to zoom the lens (in or out) which produces a movement tunnel effect, as if one is speeding into the picture.

However, I’ve now evolved my technique to combine both multiple exposures and ICM. This is a rough idea of the way I do it:

First I set the camera up to multiple exposure mode (Fuji X-T5 allows 9 ME’s stacked in one picture- all done in camera with no need to photoshop). I found that taking the first picture in B&W creating a base image works best. Then for my next exposures, and using various colour filters, I line up the original photo in the lens and add the ICM effect. I’ll maybe add two or three extra layers, but I’ve had excellent results with just two.'

 

Below are 5 examples of @mindfulsnapper444's recent work, which are all reproduced here with their permission, and which are all copyright.

I think you'll agree that there are some very interesting and varied results. All are individually very striking, creative photographs.

@mindfulsnapper444 obviously uses a camera as opposed to a smartphone, which is what I use exclusively, and which you may also limit yourself to using. The option of changing shutter speeds or of having a multiple exposure option may not be available to you. What other options are there? Well, @mindfulsnapper444 has already giving you one big clue, which is to use double exposure in editing. This is the technique I will show you.

What look am I trying to achieve? Well, it's an abstract image, preferably still with some measure of order, though, creating some lines or patterns or both, perhaps? Compositionally, it needs to not be too far off the mark. The viewer should still be able to 'see' who or what the image is trying to represent.

OK, so let's have a go at creating an ICM image from a non-ICM photograph.

This is a photograph I took sometime ago on my smartphone:

I was drawn to the red flowers, but the shades of green, the yellow, and the blues popping through from the background, for me made it all a nice composition. I shot this using my smartphone, but in JPEG and not RAW because my smartphone in those days wasn't that sophisticated.

This is my 'base' image. Next, and using Snapseed, in the Tools menu, I selected Double Exposure, and added the same image, but moving it slightly out of place as it were in relation to the base image. Here is the resulting image:

I have introduced an interesting effect, that of ICM. 

I then aded another layer by clicking on the Double Exposure icon again and adding the original base image, again positioning this third image just a little bit off. 

I did a little bit of editing, also in Snapseed, to brighten and enhance the colours. Here is my finished image:

The red still takes centre stage, but I have introduced a hint or suggestion of diagonals. The viewer would still be able to discern that it is a photograph of flowers. When I posted my final edit on social media it drew several comments along the theme of it looking like a painting and it being very Impressionistic. In comparison with my original photo, the final edit has a certain vibrancy.

I have recently joined the Abstractionism group on Facebook, having been encouraged to do so by @mindfulsnapper444, in order to push my creative boundaries in the visual arts further than they have ever been extended. 

ICM is a creative technique that will take your photography to new heights. As I have demonstrated with this hack, which is quick and easy, you should be able to produce some pretty stunning simulated ICM imagery in a matter of a few minutes.

Whether you prefer to stick to adjusting your camera or you prefer creating things in post, remember, the key to successful ICM is experimentation and creativity. Don't be afraid to push the boundaries and explore new techniques to achieve the desired effect.

I would like to thank @mindfulsnapper444 for their contribution to this week's blog.

I hope to see you again when I will be discussing another travel and photography topic. You can discover more of my photographs by following me on the social media channels cited at the top of the page.

© Mike Young 2024.