ICM images are a lot of fun and can create some wonderful semi-abstract images. The idea is that you move your camera as you are capturing the image. You don’t need a super-slow shutter speed as you can move the camera quickly. Most of my work is done in the 1/4 to 1 sec range. I generally don’t need an ND filter either. I move the apperature up to as much as F16. I don’t worry about difraction like I might for a pure landscape picture in these images as a bit of softness is not an issue. In the end these are semi-abstract and sharpness is not the goal.
I tend to look emphasize the shape of the image I am capturing. So a beach scene with waves extending horizontally in the frame, large horizontal elements, I pan left to right. Trees or perhaps a sailboat, I’d pan up and down. But there are no rules!
Another type of ICM I like in called “in the round”. This technique is credited to Pep Ventosa, a wonderful photographer who you should check out. The idea is that you circle a subject from the same distance taking photos as you go. You then blend them as layers in Photoshop with low amounts of opacity. As a beginner I find trees and other solo subjects best but you will see many other examples on Pep’s site.
Currently I am playing with multiple exposures blended in camera with dark mode. This gives a very painterly look. All of these ICM and multi-exposure images are a great way to deal with flat or high contrast midday light.
