A multiple exposure photography image made in camera using ICM techniques

ICM - Intentional Camera Movement and ME Multiple Exposure are both creative photography techniques but there are differences to them and they can be combined.

ICM is when you increase your shutter speed and move the camera to create a blurred effect with that movement. You can create soft images or sharper ones dependent on how long you leave your shutter open for and the type of movement that you do with your camera. You can move the camera horizontally, vertically or in an arc - all of the movements will create different effects. For more information do have a look at Stephanie Johnson’s website as her work is fabulous.

Multiple Exposure, as I discussed in my ‘What is Multiple Exposure’ post I would define as more than one exposure on top of the other. This contracts with ICM being a single layer image. However it is possible, and a lot of fun, to create multiple exposure images with at least one layer being ICM. I have just started to explore this genre and so this is what I have been playing with so far.

A multiple exposure photography image with an extra layer added in post production

It is important to note that you can create these images both in camera or in post processing, and for the image above I have used ICM for the original image and combined another sky image over the top to give it a more mysterious look. I love the way that the boats look like they are coming out of the ‘mist’

The below image is also an out of camera creation but combined with an in camera multiple exposure. I have recently been playing with the cross hatch method. I have no idea whether this is actually the word for it but I am going to popularise it! It consists of a sharp movement vertically followed by a sharp movement horizontally. I try to line the subjects up with my vertical movement. It is a short shutter speed that I use - either 1/15 to 1/8 of a second. Most people start using this technique with buildings and I have done this (see below this image) but I started with trees - go figure! I also combined this in camera creation with a texture in post processing to give it more atmosphere.

An in camera multiple exposure photography image using the crosshatch ICM technique

Below are two of my cross hatching building images. The first is from the millenium bridge in London. I had a fairly wide lens (16-55mm on the fujifilm X-T5) and this was actually the perfect length to fit in the whole bridge in this picture. I really like the effect on the Shard and you can see Tower Bridge as well on the left of the image.

Below that is evidence that this method can also be used to great effect at night time as well. You can clearly see St Pauls with the lights which gives a surreal view, but, with clarity as to what the picture is trying to say. I do like abstract images but I find I prefer to make my multiple exposures and ICM images with enough clarity that you can see the forms that I can see when I am taking the photograph.

If you like these images then have a look at the dates for my London in camera workshop

Lastly I think that multiple exposure can give an extra touch of atmosphere to an ICM image with the addition of a texture to add some atmosphere. The below image of these boats at sunset from St Lucia is a single image using a short vertical movement and combined out of camera with a texture - the white wall I was standing next to!

Make sure you have a go and let me know how you get on and do send me/tag me in any images that you produce. And if you have enjoyed this post then do drop me a comment below.

If this has whetted your appetite for more multiple exposure then do have a look at other articles on the blog and take a gander at my course and workshops.

What is: the difference between ICM and Multiple Exposure? (and can I combine them?)

Inspirations: Multiple Exposure in January….