Robin Mellor
July 2025 - Dream Forest
About the Image(s)
This is a forey into Intentional camera movement (ICM). The trees are part of a pine wood in gardens about 20 miles from where I live. I used a slow shutter speed and an upwards movement to blur and elongate the trunks. I like the softness associated with this technique. We worry far too much, these days, about ‘pin’ sharpness. Sometimes blur and softness can suggest something beyond obvious reality. In this case, it looks like a dream forest to me. I added a little more mistiness at the bottom to enhance the dreaminess.
Nikon D800. Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 lens @ 86mm, ISO 100, ?…• s @ f5.6
6 comments posted
Love your technique, Robin. It's mystical. Nice lighting and depth of field. Perfectly executed. The enchanted forest holds my interest. You created a peaceful mood. Well done, indeed. Posted: 07/12/2025 22:21:30
A stark ICM image with the addition of the mist/fog which helps to guide the viewer's eye into the image. Good combination of in-camera and post processing effects. Posted: 07/14/2025 00:15:27
Robin, this is a great moody image and I think you have achieved your aim. If you wanted to one step further a darkish blurry figure inserted in the image would add even more mystery. Posted: 07/17/2025 08:41:40
Funny you should say that . . . there is another version. Posted: 07/17/2025 09:44:05
Robin, yes that's interesting but for maximum effect I think she should be further back in the image and somewhat darker. Posted: 07/17/2025 13:42:33
Robin--I have intentionally used slow shutter speeds to get blur, but I've never attempted ICM. You've piqued my interest! I agree with your opinion about sharpness, which seems over-emphasized to me. The trees are an interesting choice for this technique since they can be "stretched" and still look like trees. The atmosphere is moody and evocative and the blur seems appropriate. I'm not so sure about the mist. It looks like an afterthought, though I understand why you felt something was needed. The ghostly foliage on the left sorta bothers me.
Posted: 07/26/2025 16:02:22
Posted: 07/26/2025 16:02:22