All the other ICM!

After you’ve tried out vertical and horizontal ICM techniques, there are a few more fun tricks to experiment with! For all of these options, I start with my shutter speed at about a half second. After taking a few shots, take a look at how it is working, and adjust. If you want more blur, open the shutter longer. If you’re getting too much, make your shutter speed a little faster.

• Twist Blur

  I have the best success with twist blur when I hold the camera solidly in both hands, and then twist the camera as if the lens is an axis. I usually go one direction, and then switch and go back in succession with my camera on “rapid fire.” I look a lot like a little kid trying to drive a car!! :) If I take 20 photos in succession, I usually get 3-4 that I love. I am always surprised at which one it is, thought, so keep shooting and trying new things! I tend to find that twist blur works really well with a central figure, or with great colors.

Twist blur on a mountain

Twist blur in trees

Twist blur on the Space Needle!

Twist blur on Christmas lights

• Zoom Blur

  For this one, you need a zoom lens. You start with the lens at the widest angle, and then physically spin the lens to your most “zoomed in” distance WHILE YOU TAKE THE PHOTO. if your shutter speed isn’t long enough for you to accomplish this, you might need to adjust a little bit. It isn’t for every subject, but it can look really cool with lights, or structures that are distinct or colorful. It creates those distinct lines “going into” the center of the photo.

• Just blurry!

  Sometimes you just want a little bit of blur. Not necessarily lines in any direction, or specific spin. Just softness. Or mystery. Or motion. In this case, I just open the shutter up to a half second, and when I press the shutter, I move ever so slightly. I often feel like this is the most experimental version of ICM. I love it because I feel like I am “playing” with the subject. I change the shutter speed, or move in a different direction, just to see what it will do. Not everybody loves these shots, but I do. They feel whimsical and playful, and they give me a chance to go shoot without needing to create a masterpiece. Try it! I usually get the best results with really colorful subjects.

motion in the waves

fall florals

I would love to hear what you tried, and how it worked!