Defying Gravity: Levitating with ICM

Levitating

For this month’s ICMPC (ICM Photo Challenge) post, I did not have to go far to create an image. The photo you see above was captured right here in our backyard. I have said it before, but one of the things I like about ICM photography is that results can often be very unpredictable. You create abstracts out of ordinary things.

If you have not looked at the end photo, you may wonder how I captured this image of a dish levitating. So, here are the spoilers. What you see above is a water feature we have in our backyard. When I moved the camera, I did not know or expect the dish base would completely disappear in the final ICM image. The result created an abstract that fools our eyes into thinking the dish is levitating. I accomplished that by placing my tripod low and at the same level as the dish base. I shot the image at 1/8 seconds, f/13, and ISO 50. You can barely see the water falling from the water feature or bubbling above the top of the base. The tripod head was loose, so I could move the camera quickly and effortlessly.

Here is the non-ICM image of the water feature for the image above. The colorful rocks under the water feature added a soft and colorful blur in contrast to the dark dish base. Incidentally, these two images were captured on different days and times.

Non-ICM image

The fourth entry for Kathleen’s ICM challenge is out now. You should check out her post and other responses she has received for this month’s challenge.


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23 Responses

  1. Brad Volz
    | Reply

    Fun photo and effect Egidio!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      ICM can be addicting, Brad. When I get results such as that, my desire to experiment more increases. Thank you for your feedback.

  2. Beautiful!
    Well done!

  3. I. J. Khanewala
    | Reply

    That’s a striking example

  4. Kathleen Jennette
    | Reply

    What a perfect title to a great ICM photo! It certainly looks like it is spinning in the air and the creativity of the name just sets it off. You always have beautifully creative photos and thank you for joining in for the ICMPC!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thank you so much, Kathleen. I’m glad you liked my post.

  5. Tra Italia e Finlandia
    | Reply

    Ingannevole davvero. 😉

  6. Anne Sandler
    | Reply

    That was a wonderful surprise Egidio and great effect!

  7. Leanne Cole
    | Reply

    Wow, that is amazing.

  8. margaret21
    | Reply

    Such a clever and intriguing ICM.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      I’m glad you liked it, Margaret. Thank you.

  9. Amy
    | Reply

    Remarkable ICM shot!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      I’m very thankful for your compliment, Amy.

      • Amy
        | Reply

        I admire your photo skills, Egidio!

  10. ropmann
    | Reply

    Great! It seems that the water dish is flying..

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks for the feedback. I was very please with that result.

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