LIGHT WORK
These pictorial features are designed to help you better appreciate how photographers deal with subjects and situations, including some useful tricks of the trade. In this issue, landscape photographer Trevern Dawes explains how to use ‘intentional camera movements’ – yes, it’s a thing – to create dramatic abstracts.
The Picture
It can be quite a challenge to achieve effective images from deliberate camera movement. Many photographers like to try their hand, if only as a mild diversion from main pursuits. In fact, the practice now has a name – ICM or ‘intentional camera movements’. This particular study was taken in the Weddin Mountains National Park, not far from Grenfell in central-west New South Wales. There is actually nothing new about this technique… in fact, photographers were making these impressions well before 1900 by kicking their tripods during long exposures.
The Photographer
Trevern Dawes has the rare distinction of being a contributor to the very first issue of this magazine when it was launched back in June 1979. He is still as passionate about photography now as he was then, and continues to write about many areas of image-making and taking pictures for both books and magazine articles.
The Equipment
A Canon EOS 7D paired with the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens fitted with a protective 67mm UV filter and a lens hood. Aperture-priority auto exposure control set to f/10 to allow 1.6 seconds exposure at ISO 100. Manual focus.
The Technique
In order to achieve a slow shutter speed, it is necessary to lower the ISO rating, work in low-light conditions or add neutral density (ND) filters. Usually shutter speeds of one to two seconds suffice, but it does require some experimentation according to the subject and lighting. The camera may be handheld or set up on a tripod, the latter method ensuring straight line movement. A standard or telephoto perspective is recommended to avoid distortion.
How It Was Done
The general idea is to move the camera ‘in tune’ with the subject. Upright items such as trees or buildings deserve an up-and-down camera movement. Zooming during exposure, panning moving objects, tracing in circles or taking the camera for a walk down a city street or bush track are just a few
suggestions amongst a host of possibilities. Maintaining one type of movement direction is recommended as generally shaking the camera could take hundreds, if not thousands, of frames to fluke a decent result. The camera should be on the move before and after the exposure is made, otherwise smoothness is spoilt by a fixed and/or ending point.
Tricks Of The Trade
Successful camera movement photography is based on having a suitable subject in the first place, and the experience gained by trial-and-error to recognise potential good targets. Although the exact outcome cannot be predicted, there is a certain amount of visualisation involved in translating the scene into an ICM rendition. Trees blackened by fire are a good example; but the surrounding colour, the number of trees framed and their separation are also important.
If there is any guideline to the success of a camera movement image as an item worth framing, it would be that it is ‘easy on the eye’ with just the right amount of movement among a complimentary blend of colour. All ICM results are unique with fine-tuning and minor camera variations becoming part of the personal process.
Image adjustments in the likes of Photoshop are equally important and equally subjective. Consider such elements as tonal relationships, saturation and local area control by ‘dodging and burning’.
Degree Of Difficulty (Out of 10)
All the elements were present and the site was familiar. Even so, what was on offer still needed to be landed in the camera. By general standards, the result is highly successful and warrants a maximum rating, but let’s slip back a point to allow for other attempts in different locations.
Can You Try This At Home?
Of course. What we consider to be rather ordinary photo circumstances on the home front can take on a whole new world of possibilities when deliberate camera movement concepts are applied. All it takes is some imagination and willingness to experiment. For plenty of inspiration have a look at the
ICM websites on the Internet.