Have you ever really enjoyed something and 'the powers that be' (whoever they might be) told you that you failed? What did you do? Did you try again or did you give it up even though you loved it! If it is something you still long to do perhaps a different approach is the answer - that's what I'm choosing!
All through high school I took art as subject, I loved it! In my final year we had to choose a theme, explore it and present it as a portfolio at the end of the year showing the journey we had taken. My theme was “water and light”, inspired by the impressionists, primarily Monet and his waterlily paintings. However, as is often the case, (and this is not an uncommon story) I failed bursary art, was mightily disappointed and never really picked up a paint brush, pastel or pencil again, or if I did no-one else knew or saw the results. So, what does this have to do with photography?
In recent months, I have been reunited with the work of Monet and read a book about his art and his life, learning more about the man whose work still makes me stop and linger. At the same time, I stumbled upon a technique of photography Intentional Camera Movement or ICM, which is a way of photographing, using a slightly longer than normal exposure time that allows the photographer to make subtle movements that lead to an impressionistic effect. The images are about colour, light, movement and form. Interestingly, the technique is something I have experimented with occasionally in the past but didn’t know it as a ‘thing’ or a technique. So, while reading about Monet, I decided to give myself permission to depart a little from my traditional portrayal of the landscape, to play with this technique and share it more widely than the hard drive of my computer. I see it as an opportunity to explore, once again, the theme of “water and light”.
Those of you who follow me on Instagram and Facebook will have seen a few of the images that I have created recently using this technique. I’m still getting my head around what is possible and all the different combinations of movements, shutter speeds and how they affect the subject matter – but I am having loads of fun! I love the liberation from the tripod, the freedom of movement and the fact that I can sling my camera over my shoulder and just wander at will, along the beach or through the forest, photographing “water and light”. If only digital photography had been around when I sat bursary art, I may well have had a better chance at passing!
Below are some of the images I have created using this technique in the last month. Some have appeared on Facebook and Instagram while others have not. Enjoy!
Thanks for visiting and reading, to see more of my images check out the galleries. Want to read more Monthly Moments? Check out the links below.