May’s photo of the month is my attempt at expanding my photographic creativity past the obvious. In the last few months, I have focused on looking at the finer details while out with the camera. Such as the shapes made by cascading water, the reflections of a rock, or in this case a small branch with fresh leaves flowing in a stream. I have really enjoyed the process of looking closer at the smaller pieces to the larger landscape.

I kept returning to the spot this photo was taken to continue working on a composition of the stream and surrounding trees. The area is beautiful to the eye but confusing and chaotic to the camera. It wasn’t until my third visit that I really began to appreciate the smaller details in the scene. While walking the edge of the stream I came across this branch fighting the current of the water. I thought this branch told a noble story, a story of an unlikely character fighting against the power of a greater force. I wanted the photo to have a very soft, painterly feel. I was able to achieve this by slowing down the shutter and performing some ICM (Intentional Camera Movement). After experimenting for some time with different shutter speeds and the pace of my camera movement I came away with this shot. This was some of the most fun I have had all year out shooting. The process of experimenting with ICM photography is very relaxing and rewarding.