Author Archives: Susan

ICM – A New Technique, A New Beginning

ICM, Intentional Camera Movement, is a new technique I am experimenting with. It is a method that requires a slow shutter speed and movement of the camera. There is a delicate balance between the amount of movement and shutter speed required so it takes a bit of practice and a lot of frames to get a memorable shot. But then what in life doesn’t require practice.

I got interested initially by an YouTube video organized by SHECLICKS. Charlotte Belamy is the instructor and shoots beautiful nature scenes using this technique and is super forthcoming with data. Roxanne Bouche’ Overton is another outstanding ICM artist and likes to shoot city scenes which I find interesting. I took a two day workshop with her and learned some great info and techniques.

The easiest and most fun way to take photos using ICM is to use the hand-held method along with a shutter speed of 1/15 of a second or slower and very slight movements of your head to get motion.

Desert Rain f11 1/8 shutter speed

Another method is to mount the camera on a tripod and slowly move the camera. The image below I shot in studio using a tripod. My studio lights were turned on and used for ambient light. I liked this method and the results. But I have a tendency to like things close up.

Peach tulip photographed using ICM technique.

Achieving the slow shutter speed can be challenging at times so reducing the ISO and also the use of neutral density filters can help make that work.

Like anything, the only way to make great ICM images is to get out there and shoot them over and over again. The title of this post states “a new beginning”, and continual practice is where this comes in. Not only is it exciting to capture images that are unique, but I feel like I am beginning on a new photography journey, similar to when I first started taking photos decades ago. It takes a lot of practice to get a good shot, I’m not sure exactly what I am doing and the results can sometimes be a disappointment. But when a keeper emerges it is thrilling!

Thanks for looking and more of my work can be viewed at www.susanmcanany.com.

Apple Mac Book Pro – My New Best Friend

Let me introduce you to my new best friend, a 2022 Apple Mac Book Pro!

MacBook Pro 2022

This computer is a sweet thing and very maxed out with the M2 chip, 2 TB of storage and 24 GB of memory. I was taught a long time ago it is better to get as much storage and memory as possible, because I like to keep my equipment for a long time. My boyfriend is fond of making this analogy when it comes to storage and memory: “You can never be too thin or have too much hair”.

My old laptop, also a MacBook Pro, was hard to let go. It served me well for many years as my travel and studio computer. It was still in use until it finally just pooped out after hundreds of thousands hours of use and probably just as many images. I have no complaints. Purchased in 2011, it was a very good friend and workhorse.

Mostly, I am very happy with my new Mac Book Pro laptop. It is sleek, lightning quick, has a long lasting battery and is much lighter than my 2011 version. The new backlit toolbar at the top is cutting edge along with the larger touchpad. The display is very vibrant and it seems like I experience less eye fatigue.

MacBook Pro Keyboard 2022

One thing that I am not too happy about are the number of ports on the device. Hey Apple, what’s with only 2 USB 3.1 ports? This makes it difficult if I want to connect a display, card reader, Wacom and external drives. All of the devices I use on a daily basis. So back to the Apple store I go to buy $70 worth of dongles to make everything work. I’m sure Apple is pleased.

Final analysis is the MacBook Pro is a sleek, beautiful piece of equipment that I hope will serve me for another 10 years without any problems. Prepare yourself for dongle purchases. Now that I’ve made the transition, I am looking forward to having it as my new best friend!

Thanks for reading. My work can be viewed and www.susanmcanany.com!

Make it a great day.

Red Apple – A New Image

Red Apple, a new image and print was recently uploaded to both my website and my Saatchi Art Store. Interestingly enough, I was going thru my Work in Process Folder from a previous year and came across it. I kept looking at it and wondering why I never uploaded it before. It has all the criteria I am always wanting in an image.

A vibrant subject.
Dramatic lighting.
Perfectly exposed and focus is spot on.
Composition is great.
I love the contrast between the red apples and weathered wood.

Then I noticed the highlight on the red apple in the foreground and remembered I was really concerned about that and even tried to fix it in Photoshop and didn’t like the results. Now, I love the highlight!

The point I am trying to make is we are all so critical of our own work and sometimes just putting time between the shooting and editing or posting, gives us a different eye. Not only have we emotionally disconnected from our subject, but also as photographers/artist we have grown and growth is always a good thing!

Red Apple

Red apple on weathered wood.

Thanks for stopping by! More of my work can be viewed and www.susanmcanany.com.

Ansel Adams Quote

“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it”

Ansel Adams

New-Old Image Stacking Technique

Recently I have been trying what I call the new-old image stacking technique. The old comes from having used an image stacking technique quite a bit in my macro work to achieve greater and sharper focus. Focus image stacking increases depth of field, something often needed in macro work.

The new image stacking technique creates a more abstract look. Sharon Tenenbaum teaches an image stacking technique that yields more of an impressionistic image style image using the camera. I really enjoyed the webinar and would recommend Sharon if you have an interest in learning this technique or any other webinars she offers that might interest you. She is great teacher and also gives all attendees a recording of the workshop.

The Technique

In the new image stacking technique you take 5-7 photos of the subject. With this technique it is critical to find an interesting subject and to move around the subject in a semi-circle keeping the subject in the same location in the viewfinder.

From there, download and edit the individual image files in either Photoshop or Lightroom. When edits are complete, load the image files into Photoshop on different layers. This can be done using Photoshop or Lightroom. Attention to lining up the images is critical. I like to select something in the image to use as the focus point and align all layers to that small specific area. Next, a create a black mask for each layer. Then fill the black mask with white of different opacity percentage, allowing different parts of the image to show through. From there, use a brush (20% opacity-black) and take out any detail that doesn’t fit with the composition or the look you are trying to achieve.

Lastly, when the overall composition is complete, merge up the layers and complete any fine tune editing or special enhancement. This includes adjustments such as brightness, color enhancements, etc. This is done with Photoshop Adjustment Layers, Topaz, Nik Plug-In or other software programs available.

Sample Images of Image Stacking Technique

First Subject using the Image Stacking Technique – Acacia Tree

More Recent Image. Carousel, Bryant Park, NYC

I truly love this process and as you can see, you get better with practice! It allows me to be creative in ways I never experienced before. Also, it provides a new twist on an old subject matter.

Thanks for reading and I hope your inspired to try something new with your photography! To view more of work, please visit my website.

Square Flower Images for Inspiration

Here are a couple more samples of square flower images for inspiration and fun. Once again, I photographed them in my make shift studio that I have managed to get completely dark. It is such a joy to work in the dark and sometimes difficult to do since there is a bank of windows on one wall. Absolutely no ambient light on these images! Working in a totally dark room requires an artificial light source, obviously, to illuminate the subject. For these flower images I used a strobe with a small soft box and a white foam board for fill to light the subject. Also, I used my 100mm macro lens at an f-stop of f11, shutter speed 125. It was a lot fun to work through the process. Here is a page showing some the set up I am using.

I do want to mention a totally dark room is not required and a tripod will work just as well as a copy stand. Also, any light source could work with an adjustment to f-stop, shutter speed or ISO. I have used all those techniques.

The background I edited in Photoshop to give a different feel to the image and make them a one of a kind square flower images for inspiration. That process required creating the square format and selecting and masking the subject or flower in the image. Then copy that mask to a new layer. Photoshop has some great tools that makes this process fairly easy, although I still needed to clean up any areas it did automatically create correctly. Lastly, to give the images the distressed and textured look in the background I added textures from Flypaper Textures.

Thanks for stopping by and viewing my post about square flower images. I hope you find inspiration here, in nature and in your own backyard or neighborhood. More of my work can be viewed at susanmcanany.com.

Have a wonderful week!

“Lily Duo” White lily bud and flower photograph intertwined with textured background.

“Sunflower” Yellow sunflower with green textured background.

Back in the Studio

I am happy to be back in the studio, or at least a my temporary one till I move to another location. Reunited at last with my copy stand and all the rest of the photo toys I have accumulated over the years is a really good feeling. And also a ton of fun.

Working with the copy stand.

To get me jump started in the studio I am working on a series of still life photos that are shot in studio on a neutral gray background. Later in my digital darkroom I combine those images with different cool texture backgrounds. Some of the textures I have created myself, but quite a few I have purchased from FlyPaper Textures. They are a great resource for interesting textures and edges.

I have been excited about this process and the results. Although, like all things photography there are several technical issues to work out along the way. Setting up the lights and synching to the camera came easily to me, once all cables and meters were found. However, getting those flowers to look just right took some time. Photographing a living thing does require some speed, as it begins to deteriorate once it is removed from water and placed under lights. But, I love the process, being back in the studio and I am getting some great results.

I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to Joel Grimes. Without his tutorials, I never would of started this project.

Thanks for looking and reading. Check out more of my still life texture images on my website.

The Library Book Is A Must Read

“The Library Book” by Susan Orleans is a must read for your summer or fall reading list. If like me, you grew up going to the library as a form of entertainment, you will find this book relatable and very interesting.

Susan Orlean’s book resonates with me in several ways. She also had an affinity for the library having gone as a child, so I found her personal story very relatable. For myself, growing up in a family of eight there was always lots of noise. Often I remember how quiet the library was. The library offers a whole different ecosystem and a world of it’s own.

Ms. Orlean’s book also gives a history lesson about Libraries and specifically the Central Library in Los Angeles wrapped up in a story telling style that kept my attention. A key part of this history are the many librarians and their philosophies as they guide the library through changes over the decades.

Of course the main theme throughout the book is the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central Library. This devastating event lasted over seven hours and burned extremely hot due to all the books. During the fire over 800,000 books were destroyed or damaged. In addition thousands of historical documents, photographs, microfiche and historical artifacts were destroyed. The library closed for seven years affecting hundreds of employees and patrons.

Harry Peaks, an aspiring actor and pathological lair was suspected and arrested but never formally charged or convicted for the crime. To this day the fire at the library remains unsolved.

One last thing this book details is the importance of the library system in people’s lives. Not only does it provide enrichment and answers for people, but it is also a refuge for many when their lives are broken. The library accepts everyone, rich, poor, homeless or not.

For me, the library is a special place often a spiritual place. If you were lucky enough to grow up using the library, I am sure you feel a forever connection also. A library is full of knowledge and freely shares it. It provides community and hours of entertainment to all who use it.

Amazingly, all of this is free. Truly, a fascinating read. “The Library Book” by Susan Orleans is a must read this year!

Thanks for reading and you can view my art at susanmcanany.com.

New Year Full of Opportunities

A New Year, a different President and hopefully both things bring a much better year than last. Last year was one of great angst and disappointment on many levels that I can’t believe this year could be any worse. Like everyone else I am happy to shut the door on 2020 and start anew.

I will say though much to my delight and surprise, I had a pretty good year selling photography prints and photo instant downloads. I guess everyone staying at home was ready to improve their home decor or take on exciting projects.

Although sales and shipping was not without it’s challenges. One thing last year definitely taught me and maybe you also was patience, especially with the delays in printing and shipping. Luckily, we managed to make it through 2020.

For this year I am adding to my collection of fine art prints at both my Etsy Store and Saatchi Art portal. Both of these online retailers offer proven track records for secure sales and I am happy to partner with them. I am optimistic 2021 will be even more successful.

In addition, I will be adding new and exciting image downloads to my stock photography collection on Etsy. These are perfect for both print and digital projects along with printing for home decor. I have received some great feedback on them. If interested please check out my Digital Download of Food, Nature, General and Textures images. They are reasonable priced and many of them quite unique.

When thinking about a New Year, nature comes to mind and all of the regrowth Mother Nature gives us each spring. My wish for all of us is that we may all be like a tree. Ready to sprout new growth of beautiful leaves, flowers and fruits in the year 2021!

Solo by Susan McAnany

Thanks for visiting and more of my photography can be viewed on my website.

Happy Halloween

The season for ghosts and goblins is upon us again. To join in the Happy Halloween celebration, I wanted to post an image different than the typical pumpkins, witches and candles. This image was shot in the forest in the northeast US in the summer. The whole scene was incredibly green. I wanted the subject to stand out, so I converted it to black and white and brought the color back for the model, manikin and bench.

fine art black and white print

Lalita was a great model, dressed in what appears to be a wedding frock. The setting in the forest with the miniature manikin on the bench gives the image an eerie feel. Although, at the time an eerie feel was not my concept. My vision was one of a maiden lost in the lush green forest and stumbled upon the bench with a smaller version of herself causing her to reflect on her life and future. The eeriness evolved in post processing and I rather like the direction the image took, especially at Halloween.

So Happy Halloween everyone! It is the prefect day for a mask and don’t forget to catch the full moon tonight.

More of my work can be viewed at website, Saatchi Art or at my Etsy Store.

Thanks for reading.

McAnany Photography

Blog of fine art photographer Susan McAnany.