A guide to the ‘followICM’ technique
Building on traditional ICM principles, this technique was developed on the streets of New York City. Intrigued by motion of the human form my goal was to explore the relationship between a public in motion and their environment. This exploration was to become the core of my ‘Streetwalker’ series, which essentially chronicles the evolution of the process.
Concept
The 'followICM' technique originated from a simple question: what would be the result if a moving subject was tracked by the camera during a long exposure, and how might that subject appear differently to other parts of the frame?
The concept is straightforward. By maintaining a consistent distance between the camera and the moving subject, the essence of the subject is captured more effectively compared to other elements in the frame.
This builds on the principles of traditional ICM (Intentional Camera Movement), which typically results in a uniform level of motion blur across the image.
The followICM process differs in that each element within the frame is affected independently, with the core subject being highlighted as the focal point.
The outcomes from this technique are influenced by three primary factors:
The relative motion between the camera and the subject
The relative motion between the camera and other elements within the frame
The duration of the exposure
This example image demonstrates a clear contrast in detail between the core of the subject, body movements, and secondary/mobile elements within the frame.
Equipment
For this technique, my equipment of choice has become a simple iPhone. This offers distinct advantages over the use of more traditional cameras:
Mobile devices are readily available.
A camera phone is less conspicuous, making it easier to go unnoticed.
Long exposure apps on Mobile devices offer greater flexibility:
The ability to view the image as it builds during exposure.
The option to pause the exposure at any time.
The ability to leverage the native iOS LivePhoto feature (more on that later).
In essence, this technique is well suited to any photographer who has a long exposure app installed on a mobile device.
Capture process
The capture process begins by initiating a long exposure while tracking a moving subject, and pausing the exposure once the desired result is achieved. The exposure time can be extended when using LivePhoto integration, allowing the capture to be ‘rolled back’ to an optimal frame, which will be discussed later.
As with all photography, the fundamental principles of light, contrast, and composition are crucial to the final image. A unique requirement of this method is the need to keep the camera at a relatively steady distance from the subject to retain essence.
Processing
As images are captured in jpg form the results have minimal processing requirements, other than perhaps cropping or reviewing the edges of the frame (where the effect may be reduced). Resulting images can be enhanced in-camera or passed onto other editing platforms as desired. When using LivePhoto, it is advisable to review (edit) each image to select a preferred frame from the reel (see LivePhoto reference below).
Below are examples of early images I captured using this procedure. You can see that contrast and exposure length work toward highlighting and preserving the essence of the subject, with other elements more heavily affected due to the camera motion.
LivePhoto
LivePhoto is a native feature on the iPhone that captures 1.5 seconds of motion before and after you take a still photo, resulting in a short video-like image that includes sound and movement. Unlike a traditional camera the iPhone captures long exposure images by combining multiple frames taken throughout the exposure into a single synthesized photo, creating a smooth blur effect that simulates traditional long exposure photography.
When integrated with a long exposure app (such as Spectre, by Halide) this LivePhoto stream is stored, each frame building upon the cumulative result of those captured previously. In this respect the result is a recording of the image as it was built over time.
The Spectre long exposure app leverages this feature by allowing users to select a preferred exposure time after the photo is taken, effectively "rolling back" the capture to select an optimal frame within the LivePhoto sequence. This ability is especially useful when working with techniques like followICM, where the timing of the exposure is crucial to achieving the desired balance between motion blur and detail.
The images below show LivePhoto editing in action (image was captured on an iPhone using Spectre with LivePhoto save enabled).
The first is the original image as captured, seen as entering the ‘Edit’ function.
Image 2 shows the LivePhoto edit option, with the exposure ‘rolled back’ to the start/1st shot of the exposure.
Image 3 shows a selection in time within the exposure, and the ability to select that as the Key Photo. Note that changes are non-destructive and can be changed at any point in future.
Original capture
LivePhoto - rolled back to beginning of capture
LivePhoto - selection of Key Photo frame
Variations on the theme
Once the principles have been understood and practiced on a single subject, it may be time to consider how the technique might be expanded. The possibilities are endless, but following are some suggestions to consider.
Experiment with exposure time.
The level of abstraction in an image is directly tied to the exposure length. Shorter exposures help preserve more detail, while longer ones create a more impressionistic effect.
In the examples below, the first image was captured with a 3-second shutter speed. The second example shows the same image "rolled back" in LivePhoto, resulting in a much shorter virtual exposure. This was done to provide a clearer comparison.
Notice how the longer exposure time leads to a decrease in both detail and contrast.
Subject matter
Seek out identifiable elements like umbrellas, colorful bags, or hats. These items help anchor the viewer's attention and enhance the story by providing context or serving as a focal point within the scene. Similarly, gestures can offer a relatable element that adds interest.
Expanding the scene to include additional subjects can further enrich the story, but it also introduces additional challenges. Results are directly related to the relative motion between the various elements and the camera, so the movement of each individual subject becomes an important part of the composition. When dealing with multiple moving subjects, I try to identify one that stands out as a focal point and track it as the key element in the photo. Taking multiple images as the scene's dynamics shift from second to second provides the best chance of achieving a balanced composition between the moving elements.
As with much of this work, trial and inevitable error are key to achieving success.
Weather and time of day
Variations in weather and time of day present unique opportunities that should be embraced. Sunny weather brings out wide-brimmed hats and figure-hugging clothing, while wet weather introduces iconic umbrellas, raincoats, and reflections on rain-soaked street surfaces. Recognize what each weather condition offers and be ready to use it to your advantage.
Though more challenging, evening shots can yield distinctly different results. By identifying and utilizing available light sources, you can isolate subjects against a darkened background, while lights and reflections on wet streets can add an additional layer of interest.
Conclusion
The followICM technique allows any mobile device user to capture creative images using a long exposure app. For iPhone users with the Spectre app installed, the possibilities are further expanded when saving captures to the LivePhoto feature.
The only limitations of this technique are those set by the photographer’s curiosity and imagination. Let your vision guide your shooting, learn from your failures, and above all, have fun doing so!
Following is a variety of samples that demonstrate the scope of possibilities.