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“Distant Shore” by Julie Mciver

Over the past year I have experimented and composed a body of work using intentional camera movement (ICM). Being particularly drawn to this style of photography, I find it exciting as it allows for free reign creatively. In freeing the mind and taking you away from the present, this method of photography, for me, is a very therapeutic process as it allows for the imagination to run wild.

Before I capture the image, in envisage a scene and the colours I want to emulate, almost like a virtual holiday. Almost all my images are created using props from around the home, fashioned together in terms of what colours and textures I want to capture, including paper, silk, water and even a steel whisk. Almost anything can be transformed and reimagined beyond its immediate purpose!

At the beginning of my journey, I would watch countless tutorials, but for me personally, I didn’t find this helpful. What worked for me in finding my style was continuous experimentation with different objects, camera movements and shutter speeds.

I would describe my style as abstract impressionism; the colours charmingly merge together, dancing around the image to create an abstract composition, reminiscent of brush strokes on a painting.

In my opinion, what makes intentional camera movement such a great technique to manipulate is that you can use any camera; all that is required is a slow shutter speed in order to create a sense of blur (I find what works best for me is 1/8 of a second).

This particular image was taken last summer and is inspired by a great love of mine, the ocean. I created a mini set composed of folded and rolled pages of a magazine, piled together to create layers of colour. I panned across this set along with a slight wiggle motion, defocusing the final image the soften the sharp edges.

Often, I have been asked to show my set up but I prefer not to for the reason that I want the viewer to make their own sense of the final creation rather than seeing the objects themselves.

What do you think are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!

The colour palette and the dreamy blur.

If you would be able to make this photo once again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?

This is a difficult one given the experimental nature of this style of photography possible a little less camera movement for more definition.

Julie Mciver shared her photograph in the FRAMES Facebook Group.

Photographer

Julie Mciver, UK
INSTAGRAM

Equipment and Settings

Nikon D3200, Tamron SP AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC
1/8 sec., ISO 100

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Comments (29):

  1. stewart maxwell

    April 6, 2020 at 09:31

    This style of photography is so pleasing to the eye and I admire the creativity and revealing your sets would spoil it for the viewer

    Reply
    • Julie Mciver

      April 6, 2020 at 14:45

      Thank you very much Stewart.

      Reply
  2. Chris Dunlap

    April 6, 2020 at 13:41

    *This image proves you do not need the most expensive DSLR (i.e. Nikon D3200) to make fantastic images – it’s all in the mind’s eye .

    Reply
    • Julie Mciver

      April 6, 2020 at 14:46

      Thank you very much Chris.

      Reply
  3. Berry Bingel

    April 6, 2020 at 16:37

    Exellent work !!!

    Reply
    • Julie Mciver

      April 7, 2020 at 13:55

      Thank you very much Berry.

      Reply
    • Julie Mciver

      April 7, 2020 at 13:58

      Thank you Rob.

      Reply
    • Julie Mciver

      April 7, 2020 at 14:00

      Thank you very much Bill.

      Reply
    • Mark Brinkworth

      April 14, 2020 at 00:33

      Hi Julie
      Do you have a website?
      Kind regards
      Mark

      Reply
  4. Rob Jenkins

    April 6, 2020 at 17:55

    Truly magical, Julie! Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

    Reply
    • Julie Mciver

      April 7, 2020 at 13:57

      Thank you Rob.

      Reply
  5. bill green

    April 7, 2020 at 13:21

    I love this image and the entire series (visit her IG). Calming, peaceful, beautiful. Well done.

    Reply
    • Julie Mciver

      April 7, 2020 at 13:59

      Thank you Rob.

      Reply
    • Julie Mciver

      April 7, 2020 at 13:59

      Thank you very much Bill.

      Reply
  6. Swati Carr

    April 7, 2020 at 16:14

    So, this is a photograph of an image from a magazine?! I never would have guessed. It is gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Julie mciver

      April 9, 2020 at 17:18

      Thank you very much Swati.

      Reply
  7. Lee

    April 7, 2020 at 18:38

    This work is great and provides another “style” to understand and practice. Have you done any demo’s on YouTube or elsewhere that describes the technique. Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Julie mciver

      April 9, 2020 at 17:21

      Thank you very much Lee no I have not as yet done any demos but may be something l will consider in the future.

      Reply
  8. Lori Gillespie

    April 7, 2020 at 20:15

    So calming , could easily see this in a frame in a bedroom

    Reply
    • Julie mciver

      April 9, 2020 at 17:30

      Thank you very much Lori much appreciated.

      Reply
  9. Anitra Lavanhar

    April 7, 2020 at 20:34

    Beautiful and inspiring work! Do you have a website? Do you sell your work?

    Reply
    • Julie mciver

      April 9, 2020 at 17:27

      Thank you very much Anitra I don’t have a website at present but hope to set one up soon and hope to attempt to sell some of my work.

      Reply
  10. Phil

    April 7, 2020 at 21:25

    Very nice work and backed up by other lovely stuff on Instagram, I like your style and approach.

    Reply
    • Julie mciver

      April 9, 2020 at 17:24

      Thank you very much Lori much appreciated.

      Reply
    • Julie mciver

      April 9, 2020 at 17:32

      Thank you so much Phil I appreciate that.

      Reply
  11. Jan Jensen

    April 8, 2020 at 00:31

    Monsieur Monet would have been envious, lovely ideas in creating images that speak to the soul without being literal. Really using the camera like a paint brush on canvas Impressive!

    Reply
  12. Julie mciver

    April 9, 2020 at 17:29

    What a wonderful thing to say thank you very much jan much appreciated.

    Reply
  13. Rivki Locker

    April 22, 2020 at 14:51

    Lovely image. I never thought ICM could work with items in the house! I always thought of it as suited for street and outdoor scenes! Now you have me wanting to try it. I know you said the best thing is to experiment but do you have any resources to suggest for getting started?

    Reply
  14. Colleen Parker

    May 11, 2020 at 22:07

    Love all your images! These would be so therapeutic as large prints in hospitals and waiting rooms! Looking forward to more inspiration from you!

    Reply

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