ICM simulation - a practical comparison
I have documented in the past how Photoshop blur filters can be used to visualize how camera movement in the field might influence a scene (link here). The intent of these which is to provide the reader a tool that can help understanding prior to attempting ICM on site.
But how accurate can simulation actually extend? Following a recent outing I decided to experiment to see how close I could come to emulating an ICM image with one that was shot without camera movement using these basic filters.
I feel results prove that similar results can be achieved - using these filters does actually mimic what might be witnessed using a similarly applied camera motion. In this case the Photoshop ‘Path Blur’ filter was used, simply because it allows a greater degree of control.
The first image below shows the base image, shot at 1/250 second. The following image is an ICM image (the choice of a number I took at this location), and the one I wish to emulate.
This image shows the Path Blur filter settings applied to the base image, adjusted to mimic the results of the ICM image.
Path blur settings applied to the non-ICM image to simulate camera movement
It can be seen that applying Motion/Path blur filters in Photoshop can actually mimic results in the field, and indicates what might be achieved by applying a similar motion (blue line simulates camera movement) in the field. Again, being able to visualize ICM effects on subjects prior to shooting in the field can be extremely helpful.
I will leave you with the original ICM image and the final result of my simulation. The question is - which is which?
