ICM, or Intentional Camera Movement, is not a new technique, as it was around way back in the 1970’s and 1980’s when I was learning photography, but now, it’s developed a new following with 1. New cameras that can do in-camera blending, and 2. Photoshop, etc. blending capabilities, and 3. New slow-shutter speed apps on modern smartphones that let you do everything right in the phone.
Many of the images look VERY similar, but the subtleties of the images are certainly compelling and the possibilities are endless. Back when we used film, this was 1. Only a single-shot technique unless you combined two pictures in the darkroom or via a slide copier and 2. Very wasteful of film. I remember taking whole 36-exposure rolls of panning sports photos like motor racing or track and field in order to get 1-2 really good slides.
These were taken in Cranford, NJ at Nomahegan Park where there were reeds growing in a wet area. Of several scenes, I took one exposure with a vertical pan another with a horizontal pan. They were blended in Photoshop, which provides far more flexibility than what you get in-camera, which usually means bright or dark on new Nikon mirrorless. Or no modes on my Olympus, only the ability to combine up to 9 images. I think that while this forces a certain natural serendipity, I’m not wasting that time to take the photos just be a purist. I want the flexibility of post processing.
