The April 2024 competition theme was: Intentional Camera Motion. Bidyottam Mittra was our judge.
Advanced Projected
First Prize
Karen Finkelman ~ Donate Life
This photo was taken at the yearly National Clustered Spires High Wheel race in downtown Frederick, using a panning technique. The vibrant green and blue hues of the bike, coupled with the rider’s support for the Donate Life cause, immediately caught my attention. I had a chance to chat with the rider afterward and discovered he was a recipient of a heart donation, which fueled his commitment to promoting organ donation. The man’s parents who donated his heart so someone else could live, were also there to cheer the rider on. Canon Rf24-105mm lens, TV, 1/50 sec @ f/22, ISO 400.
Second Prize
Ilona Linnoila ~ Alaskan Pier
Low tide revealed a fascinating world under a pier where long slender poles were washed by gentle waves of clear water. This picture was taken on Kenai Peninsula by Cook Inlet, AK known for large tidal ranges over 20 feet. I used downward camera movement, Sony 7rIV camera with Tamron E50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 A067 lens, 50 mm, 0.8 sec at f/22, ISO 100.
Third Prize
Sherm Edwards ~ Kennedy Center Lights
I was touring the Georgetown Glow sculptures in December and was struck by the Kennedy Center holiday display reflected in the Potomac. I don’t remember exactly how this image was composed, but it definitely involved some linear camera movement.
Honorable Mention
Beth Koller ~ Light Bulb Maze
This image was created by focusing on some rows of bulbs hanging from a wooden pergola and then sweeping the camera to the side and moving downward making a series of loops. The rate of movement controlled the staccato appearance of the light trails. After estimating the duration of exposure from a straight shot, it was possible to determine flow by counting out the time. To control time and overexposure, a variable 10x density filter was used at just below maximum to avoid color shifting and a -1 stop exposure. garbage bags and sandwich bags, dish soap, bathroom bar soap, olive oil, laundry detergent. Working at dusk or night helped to minimize the range of contrast and likelihood of hot spots. Because I moved from top to bottom, there was more light in the upper part of the image. It would have been the opposite if I had done the reverse, but then I would have had to tilt backwards under the pergola. The image as a stand-alone was too hot along the upper edge—taking one’s eye out of the image, but this same edge area became the focal point when the image was flipped three ways and composited.
Honorable Mention
Tanya Riseman ~ Calm While the World in a Swirl
The bicyclist was very zoned out while standing in front of a stone bridge in Rock Creek Park. I did a combination zoom and rotate ICM by holding the zoom ring fixed while rotating the rest of the camera. I used my nose on the back of the camera as a pivot point.
Honorable Mention
Bob Catlett ~ Camellia
I used Nikon Z8 camera with a 100-400 zoom lens at f32 and ISO 64 for half-second exposure. I would change the focal length from 100 to 400 mm. I was photographing a bush in my front yard.
Advanced Print
First Prize
Sherm Edwards ~ Stairway to Heaven
“Stairway to Heaven” is the name of an Amish quilt on display at the Museum of American Art. This capture is a detail of that quilt, taken while zooming the lens.
Second Prize
Renee Schaefer ~ Stroll through the Park
This image was taken at the Kreeger Museum. We had just completed a walking tour of the mansion which contains many impressionist paintings. We then took a self-guided tour of the grounds. As soon as I saw this scene it reminded me of the paintings that I had just seen inside. I wanted to capture this image, but also wanted to add the ICM technique to it. While focusing on the scene, I turned the camera slightly. The streaks of motion appeared on the image adding to the mood set here.
Third Prize
Beth Koller ~ Light as a Paint Brush
The subject of this image was a square metal grill with interior colored lights. The focal points could be on the flat surface of the grill, the edging of the grill, or beyond the grill. Each of these would result in a different image. The best time for shooting was at dusk or after sunset, because a silver metallic grill would be too bright. An ISO of about 200 and a 10 stop variable neutral density filter were used to increase exposure time. The lights introduced the magenta color. The focus beyond the grill permitted the black (light absence) to blend into the light. The edges of the grill were also softened by vertical camera movement. Twisting the camera widened one end of a panel of light. There is a certain amount of serendipity involved and it is difficult to replicate any given image. Nonetheless, the process is addictive.
Honorable Mention
Bruce Schaefer ~ Guru in White
Taken on a Sunday afternoon at Brookside Gardens; lots of people to shoot. Once we got the hang of ISO, shutter speed and aperture, ICM became a lot of fun, and we got a surprising number of usable images. I have since used ICM in other situations, and it will probably become a regular part of my repertoire.
Honorable Mention
lona Linnoila ~ House on a Hill
The picture was taken as I was on a river cruise in Pittsburgh, PA. Sun was just coming out after a rainy and foggy morning. Downtown slowly passing by provided a wide range of buildings to photograph and practice. I submitted the photo because it reminded me of my granddaughter’s drawings. I slowly turned my iPhone towards right. 4.25mm (iPhone XR back camera 4.25 mm/f 1.8) 1.0 sec at f/1.8, ISO 25.