Brushstrokes of Light: My Journey into ICM Photography
By far, this is my favourite image. I first created movement to stretch the sun, then froze at the end to capture its shape — all in a single exposure.
I have always loved following light and creating silhouettes. While doing that, I slowly got more interested in the shapes and forms around me.One day, while experimenting, I tried moving my camera on purpose to create something different. At that time, I didn’t even know this technique had a name.After posting my first photo like this, someone asked me in the comments, "Is this ICM?" That’s when I googled it and found out about Intentional Camera Movement. From there, my journey into ICM photography started.
The beginning of my journey into ICM.
In the beginning, my main intention was to play with the camera settings and see how shapes could be captured through movement. I feel shapes are very important when it comes to ICM photography.So, I started with basic panning techniques to understand how different types of movements affect the final image. I practiced moving the camera horizontally, vertically, and sometimes diagonally to see what kind of flow and feel each motion gave.Light, colours, and backgrounds were also something I paid attention to, but for me, the shape and form always came first. Over time, I became more comfortable and started trying more freehand movements, letting instinct guide me.
I haven't used ND filters for my ICM photography yet. Instead, I control the light by shooting with a small aperture.I usually work with shutter speeds between 1/3 second and 1/40 second, depending on the light and the effect I want. Shooting with a small aperture has its own challenges — one of them is that dust on the camera sensor becomes more visible in the final image.Sometimes, it takes me 20 to 30 minutes just to clean up the dust marks while processing an image. It’s a slow process, but I feel it’s worth the effort.The main reason I avoid ND filters for now is because I feel they slightly change the colours and textures in the final image. I personally love the textures that come naturally when shooting with a small aperture.Maybe in the future, I would love to try using ND filters and see how it changes the look and feel of my work.
I don’t really see challenges when it comes to photography. I believe experimenting is the best way to grow and master any technique.I have never followed tutorials or step-by-step guides. I always trust my instincts and try ideas when something clicks while I’m out in the field. I feel it’s important to learn the concepts, but the real ideas should come from within.While experimenting, I discovered some interesting things by accident too. For example, sometimes when I use the electronic shutter, the rolling shutter effect gives a nice stretched look to the images, which adds beauty to the final result.I usually switch between mechanical shutter and electronic shutter depending on what I’m shooting. I also use both single shots and Continuous H+ burst mode based on the situation and the kind of movement I want to capture.
Capturing a frame in an abstract way is always a pure joy for me.I am someone who truly enjoys processing my images — and for me, shapes and forms mean everything. I don't know how to exactly explain it, but I connect to these things very naturally.There may be many techniques in ICM that I still haven’t tried, just like in the beginning, I didn’t even know the term "ICM" existed. But for me, the real connection is between my inner self and my camera.I love to capture what I feel at that moment. I am excited to see how my vision will evolve in the future — because I believe change is the only constant.
The images above were captured using a combination of Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) and multiple exposure techniques.
Moving the camera during the exposure alone won’t make an image stand out. It’s all about feeling and connecting to what you create — the shapes, the forms, the moment.It doesn’t have to make sense to others, as long as you feel that connection yourself.
The movement of fireflies was captured in a single exposure
Cheers — and I hope the movement continues!