- In this video,
I'm going to show you how ICM
or intentional camera movement
can help improve your own landscape photography
by creating unique abstract images
that look like something Monet painted.
Well, Monet is probably a stretch,
but today's a challenge as much for me
and for you as well
as I've never attempted ICM in the forest.
But I know it's easy to do, it's a lot of fun,
so let's head down the trail and get into it.
So the reason I wanted
to try intentional camera movement today
was because I'm really challenged by these Mount Ash trees.
They're so tall.
The average tree here is probably 60
to 80 meters tall easily.
And I also think it's good to mix your photography up
and try some new techniques and, you know,
photography's supposed to be fun.
So get out there and have a go.
And the other great thing is you don't even need a tripod.
So you can just cruise around and create what you like.
So the great thing about ICM is there's no right
or wrong way to do it.
So it's really just up to your creative intent, I guess.
So today I'm using the Sony A74
with the Sony 70 to 200 F4 lens.
I'm so going to zoom in over here on this patch
of very straight Mount Ash trees
with a lovely understory of beautiful tree ferns
and other ferns.
And there is a little bit of light in the background,
but the reason I've picked this part of the forest
is because I've actually got quite a nice bit
of green foliage behind.
Now, middle here the sun is actually rising to our east,
which is hitting the side of the forest.
It's getting a little bit of light, but when we do ICM,
it's all going to be intentionally blurred
as to how deliberate you actually blur it.
But we should see some interesting color.
So it's gonna be interesting to see what it looks like.
So we'll frame up now.
So you can do this either in shutter priority mode,
in which case you choose the shutter speed.
So I'm going to just aim for about, say half a second,
or you can do it in full manual.
Yeah, so we're at F20 half a second ISO 500.
It's probably still too bright actually.
Trying to ISO 100.
Just gonna do that one sweaty mode.
And basically what we do is we focus on something.
And then as we hold the shutter down, we move the camera.
So we're going to pan down first.
And there we go.
So quite a unique image.
Don't know if you can see that. I'll show you.
(inspiring music)
So with us here,
and what we were doing is deliberately moving the camera
as it's trying to get the proper exposure.
And that's to create an intentional blur.
So depending on how you move the camera.
You move up or down, left or right,
or potentially swirling a freestyle
will depend on the effect you actually get.
So that first image I've just taken, you've seen,
I've got quite a very straight lines.
That was my intent,
I really wanted to draw out the Mount Ash and then blur
the colors together a bit like a painting
as I said at the start.
This is a very special forest as part
of the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
And if you come on a tour of Victoria or Australia,
you probably brought here if you're coming to Melbourne,
but these trees are absolutely incredible.
I don't think you can understand how big they are.
Probably the closest thing
if you've never visited Australia
is perhaps the California redwoods.
They are incredible trees.
And just being here this summer morning still,
it's just me and the wildlife.
If you have any value out of this video
I appreciate hitting the like button
so we can share this video with more people.
Might be learning to go back and test on camera movement.
I really appreciate it. As are the birds.
(calming music)
So you may have noticed I've changed lens
so I'm using now the Sony 50 ml F2.5.
So just a new little acquisition just prior
to Christmas there.
So loving this lens.
Just cause I need to go a little wider.
As I said, it didn't seem wide enough.
So I was getting quite an intimate look.
And at 50 it's a little bit different again,
Still getting these lovely strikes of paint.
I need to obviously tidy it up a little bit.
If you can see it.
So that's something completely different.
So I might change locations now,
move a little further down the trail.
Cause I am challenged here compositionally
by this giant tree fern here, but again,
it's adding texture and color to the image.
So again, totally up to you which lens you want to use,
what focal lengths.
I could've gone wider, I'm using the 24 to film one,
but yeah, I've gone down to 50 now.
So we'll give 50 a go for a bit and head for the longs,
see what we do.
(inspiring music)
So what I thought I'd try and do now is,
sun's hitting the side of this giant tree fern here.
I'm going to try and get some golden light on the tree fern
with the greens and the browns.
Probably in the right location,
because at the moment I'm just making a cyclonic mess.
Last time I got a big paint brush
and went round and round in circles.
But worth trying, if I can work out the right technique.
(calming music)
So there's no doubt, there's a lot of fun to do,
but I think the thing is you've got to really think about
what the effect you're looking for.
So it takes a couple of shots and I think the best thing
to do is go and practice because what I was looking for
was that streak, paint, brush look.
So, you know,
I think one in five would probably have achieved that
otherwise even the slight wiggle,
you sort of get more blurred tree.
So again, depends on your subject.
I've done at the beach.
And so it's a really great effect at sunrise, blue out,
even the middle of the day, I've done some great shots.
So I'll show you those as well. Absolutely spectacular.
A lot of fun,
and really does get you back in your creative juices flowing
if you're coming into the new year.
So I encourage you get out and give it a go.
Any questions about intentional camera movement
or you've tried it yourself, leave a comment below.
Be keen to have a conversation with you.
If you enjoy woodland photography here in Australia,
be sure to watch my video on the cool temperate rainforest
hit or tap the screen here.
I'll see you in the next video. Bye for now.