Your thoughts about ICM please ...

Glenn

Glenn

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I have been trying to make some ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) images for an upcoming camera club competition but am having difficulty understanding what might contribute to a good black and white ICM. I am OK with the colour ones and have found that I like pastels tones and a variation of colour, but without that colour element I am finding it a challenge produce a good black and white one. So I thought I'd ask if anyone has some thoughts on the subject.

One of my better attempts below.

ICM_3.jpg
 
I have messed about with ICM in various forms and find that colour does look better "most of the time" (not sure I am allowed to say that here!) BW seems to need stronger form with more contrast and added grain, for trees/woods I tend to move the camera vertically for landscape move horizontally and for busy scenes I have tried giggling the camera about - shutter speeds are normally about 1 second but anything from 1/15 to 3 seconds can be interesting - sometimes you get quite good unexpected results but most the time (in my case, you don't).....
 
First off, I have never tried this so take my comments in that context. I think for me, this might work in colour where different hues would add an extra dimension. I think you need more recognisable shapes albeit smudged or blurred in black and white; but as I say, that's a personal take based on no experience.
 
I think it was Glenn that was asking for some feedback Martin but I like your offerings, particularly the first three and no. three is weirdly wonderful.
 
Steve said:
I have messed about with ICM in various forms and find that colour does look better "most of the time" (not sure I am allowed to say that here!) BW seems to need stronger form with more contrast and added grain, for trees/woods I tend to move the camera vertically for landscape move horizontally and for busy scenes I have tried giggling the camera about - shutter speeds are normally about 1 second but anything from 1/15 to 3 seconds can be interesting - sometimes you get quite good unexpected results but most the time (in my case, you don't).....
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Yes, that matches my experience. I have been using a slower shutter speed, about 1 to 5 seconds although 1.6 seconds crops up quite a lot. Below is a pair of images I took of a Roman mosaic. The original had a sun motif with rays so I followed one of the rays along its length. As you say, strong shapes help. The BW one works but I think the colour one is better. I am hoping it will make a nice print on VFA paper.

I haven't tried adding grain. I might try that next.



Ravenna_day 2_2.jpgRavenna_day 2_1.jpg
 
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John2 said:
First off, I have never tried this so take my comments in that context. I think for me, this might work in colour where different hues would add an extra dimension. I think you need more recognisable shapes albeit smudged or blurred in black and white; but as I say, that's a personal take based on no experience.
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Thanks John. Yes, I agree. Please see my answer to Steve above. Recognisable shapes work well (see image below of the restaurant tables) but I quite like the abstract feel of some of these where the background isn't necessarily recognisable but sufficient form remains to give a strong indication of the original shapes. They do still seem a touch murky and increasing the contrast doesn't improve the aesthetic appeal in these eyes.
 
Martin Henson said:
A few ideas, Glenn: some taken at night and a couple during the daytime
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Thanks Martin. An interesting collection although the family crossing the road works best for me with the street lamp and tree a close second choice. I haven't tried going out at night for ICM yet, that sounds like an interesting thing to do. I might give that a go in the next few evenings. Most of what I have been trying is with static subjects so perhaps I should be looking for movement in the subject as well.

I quite like this one of tables outside a restaurant with freshly laundered white table cloths which is less abstract than the others I have been taking. The whiteness of the tablecloths contrasts everything around them.

ICM_2.jpg
 
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Not as gentle as yours I quite like the softness of your last one. I shot these on a day out last year bit of day and night not great in BW they do look better in colour (still not great though!)...













 
@Steve

Some nice images here, particularly 2, 3 and 6. I still haven't tried ICM after dark although I quite like the way it pushes up the contrast. 2 and 6 have an attractive ethereal feel.
 
John2 said:
2, 6 and 7 for me Steve but the whole set work well. Must give this a try.
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I suggest using a digital camera. In my experience the hit rate is poor and I think I could waste a lot of film trying to get a good one. I took about 40 shots of the table cloths and got two I was happy with.
 
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if you use film, set an aperture of 5.6 , keep the shutter open for 5 seconds handheld you will capture every image , so I disagree that digital is the way to go. film is a wonderful medium for night photography, both have there merits
 
Your hit rate is probably better better than mine Martin. It is the difficulty in previsualising effect of the camera movement on the image that bothers me. I am getting better at it but I made some rubbish ones today. :cool:
 
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