A Deep Dive into ICM Street Photography

In my eyes, street photography is one of the most creative niches in photography. There are plenty of subjects and techniques to try, and ICM street photography is a perfect example. 

Let us dive into that niche and explore how you can use motion-blur photography to enhance your portfolio.

First things first, though.

What is ICM in Photography?

ICM stands for International Corporate Monetization… oh no, sorry, that is wrong.

In photography, ICM stands for Intentional Camera Movement. It is a technique in which the photographer deliberately moves the camera during a long exposure to create motion blur and abstract effects.

Most of the time, photographers chase sharp images, or at least images with a sharp subject. In ICM photography, that rule is thrown overboard. The entire image is intentionally blurred. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. That is all up to your creative control.

With ICM, you can create mystery, new shapes, or a less literal representation of your subjects. Though it might not be a technique for every photo, it can be a highly valuable tool to keep in your arsenal.

Why use ICM in your street photography?

ICM can serve multiple purposes in your street photography. It can provide you with a unique perspective on a scene or a subject. You can use these pieces of abstract ICM photography as stand-alone artwork or as a mood setter in your broader photo series.

This technique can also help you photograph people anonymously. The individuals in your blurry street photography will be unrecognizable, but viewers will still be able to identify them as human figures. ICM gives your photo more flow or atmosphere, rather than being solely focused on a strict subject.

It also adds more color, dynamism, and a painterly look to the photos, frequently reminding me of painters like Monet.

Famous ICM Photographers to Inspire You

If you are looking for visual inspiration, studying the work of artists who specialize in abstract and motion blur photography is a great starting point. While many street photographers experiment with this style, a few have truly made it their own:

• Ernst Haas: Often considered a pioneer of color photography, Haas masterfully used slow shutter speeds and camera movement to create dynamic, painterly images of moving subjects.
• Alexey Titarenko: Known for his hauntingly beautiful long-exposure street photography, Titarenko captures the ghostlike movement of crowds in cities such as St. Petersburg and Havana.
• Chris Friel: A contemporary photographer whose landscape and urban work relies heavily on aggressive, intentional camera movement to create deeply abstract and emotional images.

The Best Gear for ICM Photography

If you are wondering about the best camera for ICM photography, the good news is that you do not need any special gear. Any modern camera works perfectly fine, provided it allows you to manually control the shutter speed.

Similarly, the best lens for ICM photography is simply one that lets you close down the aperture to f16, f22, or even higher. This helps you achieve longer exposures in daylight. If your lens does not close down that much, you can easily attach an ND filter to cut the light.

As with any type of photography, your choice of focal length will influence the result, but you can still use absolutely any lens you like.

ICM Photography Settings: Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO

The primary purpose of using ICM is to create an intentional and artistic blur in your photos. While the movement itself matters, mastering your camera settings is central.

Shutter Speed: Using a slower shutter speed is essential. This can be anything slower than 1/2 of a second. The exact speed depends heavily on your focal length. You will get blurred images much faster with an 85mm lens than you would with a 28mm lens.

Aperture and ISO: To get slower shutter speeds without overexposing your image, you need to shut down your aperture (for example, to f22) and lower your ISO to its base level (usually 100 or 64, depending on your camera body). If your photos are still too bright, an ND filter comes in handy.

Camera Modes: The best camera modes for ICM are usually fully manual, manual with auto ISO, or shutter priority with auto ISO. The choice depends entirely on your taste and how you prefer to work with your camera on the street.

Camera Movement Techniques and Examples

Getting blurry photos is just a tiny part of the process. It is also about the direction, shape, and type of blur you aim to create. Different blurs give your images a completely different feel and look.

Here are a few ICM photography examples and the techniques used to create them:

• Panning: Moving the camera left to right or right to left creates a directional blur. Any light source or reflection will cause straight lines in your photo. This is great for tracking passing cars or cyclists.
• Zooming: If you have a zoom lens, you can twist the barrel while your shutter is open. This will cause radial lines like an exaggerated vignette. It looks a lot like jumping to hyperspace in Star Wars.
• Tilting and shifting: This is exactly the same as panning, but you move the camera up and down instead. It works beautifully for tall buildings or trees.
• Rotating: Twist the camera using the center of your lens as the axis. This creates a dizzying, barrel-like effect.
• Vibrating: Shake or vibrate the camera slightly while the shutter is open, making the light trails in your photo erratic and chaotic.
• Go crazy: Try any random movement or a combination of the techniques listed above. I am sure you can find movements that feel unique to your personal style.

The impact of different lighting conditions on your ICM photos

As with any type of street photography, lighting and weather conditions dramatically impact your final result. The environment will dictate exactly how you should use ICM.

For example, you will need a very closed-down aperture on bright sunny days. This gives you a shallow depth of field, which is well-suited to cityscapes and broader scenes.

During nighttime, you will rely much more on artificial light. Neon signs, streetlamps, and car headlights create distinct light stripes and harsher hotspots in your photo. However, this often comes with a beautiful range of colored lights.

Cloudy days or the blue hour will provide a much moodier atmosphere for your ICM street photos, while rainy days offer wet pavement that acts as a giant reflector, adding light and color.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ICM provides a wide range of extra options for your street photography. It enables highly abstract and experimental results, helping you express yourself and expand your artistic vision.

What is your favorite ICM subject and technique? Let me know in the comments below!