Our usual aim is to take well-focused photos with no camera shake. But ICM or Intentional Camera Motion is a rule-breaker: we deliberately move the camera. The result imitates abstract or impressionistic painting!
ICM photos are obtained by panning with a long exposure, so we need settings that avoid overexposure. Not only DSLRs, but phone cameras that allow adjustments can capture ICM results. Here’s how.
Choose a time of day or a shady area where the light is diminished. Find an uncluttered background so your subject stands out. I chose a row of bright flowers in the shade surrounded by greenery.
Choose your lowest ISO and set your aperture to f/22 or higher. Set your shutter speed between .5 seconds and 1.0 seconds. (This combo will take experimentation.) Optionally, use autofocus to lock on your focus, then switch to manual focus. A tripod will eliminate wiggly lines.
Your subject will determine the direction you will pan. At the beach, you’ll likely pan horizontally. Similarly, with trees, you’ll choose vertically. Aim just below or to one side of your subject, hit the shutter button, and pan until the shutter clicks. This will probably take many shots until you have the right balance of settings and panning speed, so be patient.
Don’t limit yourself to straight panning. Try circles, zig-zags or whatever comes to mind. Consider if cropping your photo will improve the appearance. Most of all, don’t stress about this, but enjoy the unexpected results!