I Was In A Creative Rut, So I Tried This

Landscape photography doesn't always go the way we want it to, and sometimes I struggle to maintain my photography motivation, especially when photographic conditions are dull. In this video I photograph multiple exposures with my Nikon Z7 II and create some abstract work which transforms the mundane into the extraordinary. Thank you to MPB for sponsoring this video. Buy, Sell & Trade Your Gear: bit.ly/3A5UKSs
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[@andrewsgray]

Really appreciate the shout out Tom! 🙏😊 Good to see you're continuing to experiment!

[@amalieemmynoether992]

Your the master of ICM Andy ❤️📷 I love the way you turn scene into something ethereal

[@sundeepsembi6091]

Andy Grey is an absolute master at this , especially his post processing. Don’t understand why he has so few followers. He turns blurred images to Impressionism . Well worth watching .

[@samwestenskow]

Shoutout to Thomas who makes clickbait titles and then actually delivers, unlike 90% of photography KZbinrs.

[@CamperVanya]

Fascinating idea and outcomes. Very inspiring.

[@ruthboon18]

And there I was thinking my tremors would only be a bad thing for my photography 😀

[@Creativecavemanagain]

Love the impressionist photography. Cool Andy Grey and Pep Ventosa vibes

[@seantomlinson3320]

I thought about that video 3 years ago immediately. Neat to see you do this again.

[@petesuchon7340]

Thanks Thomas, inspiring as always.

[@coreyc000]

I took a picture years ago from a cruise ship, the vibration and zoom made the picture look like a painting. Love these tips!

[@michaelkhalsa]

I was doing something like this just a couple days ago, which discovered by accident. Using handheld long exposure shots with good ibis, like from 1 to 1.5 seconds where i managed to get most of the image pin sharp, and then a slight motion to create the superimposed movement all in the same exposure. At first it was accidental, and then intentional. With beautiful seascape past sunset colors, some waves, full moon - looks stunnig on the camera screen, and when zooming in. Have not taken it off my card yet to see how it holds up..

[@LamboThomas]

Wow, never thought that motion blur can create such a impressive and abstract artistic photo. The first black and white image really amazed me and opened my eye of seeing abstract images. Nice job Thomas!

[@doghouseriley4732]

People can see art in anything, apparently.

[@ares5858]

​@@doghouseriley4732 Seems like you just don't understand art

[@doghouseriley4732]

@@ares5858 "Understand art" - that's so funny. Like it is something, literally by definition, that you can understand. That's made my day, thanks.

[@jimt249]

@@doghouseriley4732 That's what makes it so interesting.

[@mattdavis9986]

@@doghouseriley4732 just because pieces of art don’t have to have meaning or purpose, it doesn’t mean that you can’t understand the concept of art. As someone as knowledgeable about art as yourself, I’m sure you know that real artists don’t care what you think about their images

[@ares5858]

I love these photos. ICM images feel more like art I think.

[@tjsinva]

Good way to be productive during a hangover. ICM kinda comes naturally. 👍🥂

[@bagamingshow]

dude DUDE DUDE! YES! I have been doing ICM for years. Sometimes it's cool and sometimes it's incredible.

[@adamwhiting2104]

These shots are my favourite. Amazing compositions, thank you for the inspiration.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Great idea! I’ll try it this weekend.

[@AliasJimWirth]

I don't know if you will see this, but I want to say thank you very much, Thomas, for suggesting Gary McIntyre's channel and his ICM work. It is fantastic!

[@liveinaweorg]

Yup, that's a tree! I do find shooting black and white helps when I'm just seeing trees.

[@davidjoyce3467]

Hi Tom, I did this somewhat unintentionally while taking a shot of a tree I liked in a grave yard. It was overcast and dull but I liked the tree. 18-200mm nikon lens/D5500 with the VR turned off and a bit of movement - loved the shot I got.

[@nb7524]

Hey Thomas, nice images! I look forward to seeing more 🙂

[@Suhailkhan53]

Lovely 🥰

[@bbrown6574]

Really enjoyed the images and their difference.

[@dbugatto]

Great exercise , lovely results .

[@colliegardenmaintenance2560]

Wow. Love the shots. Have to try this at the weekend. Feel inspired. Thank you Thomas.

[@Mr_Ev1]

My 3 year old does the same kind of photos. Impressive stuff.

[@doorstepmile]

Your first point Taking a picture of a tree that looks like a tree. That is all I need to set off on a tangent of ideas! Thank you! Here is an idea in return. Most images are visual fast food. Easy to see the point . Try visual slow food!

[@iamdebmiller]

Those images are so dreamy, like mists of the mind. Very creative!

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you. All the best. 👍📷😎

[@kevinhanley3023]

Turning the mundane into the extraordinary on a dreary day is quite the feat!

[@alanevans9246]

Thomas, great art work! Keep snapping!

[@karenwalter5784]

Oh my goodness, this video could not have come at a better tine for me. First if all I want to say I think all of those images are beautiful! This technique fascinates and intrigues me. The Impressionist look it gives to photos is soft, moody, mystical, artistic and beautiful . Second of all, I have been doing the sane thing for the last couple of weeks!! For basically the same reasons. I went out one day and everything was flat and ugly and then it hit me to try ICM! It transformed flat and ugly into beautiful! I’m hooked but I do have to try the multiple exposure technique too. I have the Z7ii also. I forgot to add that I am having so much fun with this technique not to mention the beautiful images I an making. Your enthusiasm is a joy to watch! Thank you Thomas!

[@danncorbit3623]

I very much liked the 'pencil drawing' image of the two birch trees. I liked the green trees. The pond reflection was not my cup of tea, but you can't please everyone. The main idea is very worthwhile. A manual stack can achieve similar results if your camera does not have good multiple exposure features. I think the main idea to try new things is excellent, since we can all get in a rut.

[@nigelkneale6809]

I actually like the image at 1:46 with you walking away through the snow. If that were poster size, I could watch it for hours.

[@rcl-crafter8]

I love that you are experimenting and trying new styles. The results are fantastic and you seem so happy and animated. Love that you are doing hand held too. Thanks for showing us new things to try. We just didn't understand the first wrist flick.

[@neilsmith8340]

We should all take images to please ourselves, and other photographers may like them. Friends might nod encouragingly and say "yes lovely", but the honest ones, and my wife, would say "It's blurred"

[@mrjohnryan]

Here’s the difference: when I’m in a rut, my camera sits on the shelf. Thomas keeps shooting. That’s what makes Thomas great and not me. The key is the have high standards, but keep shooting even if you’re missing the mark.

[@Peter_Reed_Photography]

Thanks for the ideas in this Tom. Personally haven't always been a fan of ICM, however there are a few places locally where it may work quite well so will give it a go. Need to see if my D7500 does multiple exposures to. Must say, from your last few videos it did seem like you weren't 100% with your photography, but your enthusiasm levels on this, It was like having a photography video done by the Duracell bunny. It's certainly worth challenging yourself when stuck in a rut. I've found other ways to spark the enthusiasm again, are photographing at a single focal length, only using one lens, no tripod, no filters, photographing a different genre, just wandering round a location.

[@dougheizenrader2280]

Another great video, Thomas. Well done! I am inspired!

[@calvinwon5113]

I'm such a big fan of you for so many reasons. One of which is creative inspiration. When you first worked with IR photography, I immediately went online and purchased an IR filter. And now with ICM photography, it gives me yet another thing to try!

[@keithswindell6212]

It never even occurred to me that this was possible. Well done, Thomas, very well done.

[@msingrey14]

Very creative images. Thomas Monet has returned!

[@andrewroland]

I love painterly too Tom.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

I've owned multiple cameras with multiple exposure capability for many years, but I've never tried it. Now I'm gonna. Thanks.

[@ianharper6015]

A good point about creative rut and a new avenue for me to explore. Thanks for a great video.

[@mitchellmysliwiecphotography]

Love that you credit where credit is due! Fantastic to see what you do with the new technique (and your humility of only showing the ones that turned out)

[@rachelleggett1634]

I love the surreal quality of these images!

[@wendybagnall1353]

I have been doing in-camera multiple exposure / ICM for 3 years now. It forms a big part of my work and I have a collection called 'Imagined', two of my pieces are on their way to Canada for an exhibition. Have I got it right Thomas, that the resulting Nikon file is a jpeg not a raw file? I use Canon and the resulting file is raw, which is better for post processing. I have wanted to switch to Nikon but am put off by the lack of raw file on the Nikon resulting multiple exposure image. I also do everything in-camera as I don't like time with photoshop and I find it more of a challenge to get the composition right when working in camera. If you enjoy this style I would really encourage you to look at the work of Valda Bailey and Jo Stephen too.

[@diogoferreira9039]

This is quite common... There are photographers specialized in this technique. It is great when you have strong elements, and/or strong leading lines in uninteresting backgrounds/environments it gives a special painting/artistic look to the photo... It also works very well with castle ruins and bucolic environments.

[@mod2190]

Reminds me Ragnar Axelsson's style. Love it! Keep experimenting Thom

[@dmystify1381]

...certainly an interesting concept....loved the results you achieved.

[@raunak.u]

Being able to see your own art form from a different perspective is one of the most exciting experiences and I am definitely sure you are going to do this a lot more. Amazing to see you so excited. Cheers.

[@robsmith976]

Sorry, ICM is not for me. If you’re feeling down with photography, watch Henry Turner. His enthusiasm is infectious. He makes the dullest day seem bright.

[@user-Ning999]

I often see this kind of photographic works in art paintings, which is also very interesting. I feel that what I see is not only the beauty, but also a more profound meaning. If it is a series

[@criostoirocuinn]

Sandra Bartocha is a master of that style of photography also

[@vinniemac58]

I had incredible fun today doing double exposures. I’d always been aware my cameras could do it, but never tried it out. And I got a few shots that I love! Thanks Thomas 🙂

[@tbillington]

I'd never heard of this technique, it creates some great shots. Hope we see more in future.

[@AlanBrownPhotography]

Excellent video Tom. I have been entranced by ICM for some years now and am happy you are promoting this fun technique to the masses.

[@stefanzimmermann6912]

Thomas, this is your best video in a while, to be honest. It shows me a new technique and inspires me, to try it out myself. It might be very helpful in bad conditions. I dont enjoy every outcome, but thats how art works, I suppose.

[@davidtaranzaphotography3324]

Thanks for a great tip! Did a little experimenting with zoom blur and will definitely try this thing out. Many days are just grey and dull and this may be a way out. Thanks again, mate!

[@esrAsnataS]

Love how these shots came out. Something I shall definitely be trying. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@johannaknowles8569]

So cool! My favourite was the second picture

try the zoom in/out or out/in, is also fun :)

[@TheOnlyOne939]

Thanks a lot for this video! Your words resonate a lot with my current situation, being in a rut for almost a year and having this feeling of "being done with photography". I feel excited right now of trying this and being playful again instead of always hunting for the perfect moment/scene/image.

[@AdrianIII]

Fascinating! Would you give us more on how you combine the images in post-processing? Thank you!

[@CookedLight]

get a Peak Design Cuff when you're doing that stuff 🤯 your technique makes the photos look really vintage, brilliant effect 🍻

[@neilcousineau4956]

Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try and I bet we see a bunch of ICM - Multiple exposure photography soon. Anyway, I just tried a long exposure shot using the built-in Art filters and I'm very impressed. I usually don't use the Art filters but I wanted to try something new in an old location. It has been a long dull Canadian winter this year and we also do not have any new growth yet.

[@ramjpg]

Have you ever tried halation filters in your photography? They were originally used in cinematography, but these days they're becoming more and more popular in photography too. They add a gentle glow to bright areas in your image, which can create a soft, dreamy look and a really romantic feel. It's a great way to add a bit of nostalgia and atmosphere to your photos.

[@MHLandscape]

Enjoyed this, something I might have to have a go at. Although being a Sony user, I'm still baffled why they don't give me this option to do it in camera.

[@davidskinner274]

I'm a Sony user. When you get tbe hang of what works, you can be far more creative with layering options in PS to create magical ME ICM images.

[@MHLandscape]

@@davidskinner274 Thanks David, Agree I think the level of control you'd get by doing this in post would far outweigh doing it in camera, would be nice if Sony to give users the option though, everyone else manages it. But I'll definitely give it a go, never really delved deep in to ICM/multiple exposures.

[@noreenoshea2883]

love them, but the first one was my favourite..so good full of feeling

[@aaron-bieber]

Mainly, I love any style of photography that minimizes tripod use. I now only travel with a quite small tripod, which is rather short for me at 6'3", because I'd really rather not use one at all. I've really leaned more into high-contrast daylight architectural shots, which allows me to shoot handheld essentially all the time. I also love that Thomas is both willing to experiment with different methods, but open to sharing with the world his "peaks and troughs." This happens to everyone. Embrace the troughs as moments for play. Abandon whatever you think you "should" do.

[@HRHDaviaTheYounger]

Thanks for posting this. I am in a rut myself. It happens. In fact, if more artists shared their tips and frustrations, we could all learn from each other. I need all the inspiration I can get. 😊

[@Northumberlandwoodlands]

One day I will bump into you in them trees and yes I will say hello...Great video thanks

[@freetibet1000]

Great vid Tom! Another great thing with ICM is that we can blow them up as large as we want since the sharpness is not an issue. Same thing with some of the reflection shots on water surfaces as well. Personally, I prefer combining multiple exposures in the camera, just like Tom in this video, but it is of course also possible to do it in the post processing phase in either Photoshop or Affinity.

[@allansisson355]

Love the content, I'm huge believer of always learning. Great way to expose people who may not know of this technique. Great video

[@RandomVictorGuy]

Great video, I have been trying the same technique since last year as well. It gives you more flexibility to capture a scene and to add feeling/characteristic to a photo. And it makes more fun to shoot in a boring conditions.

[@richardbirger2245]

as usual a great video, I think we all go through periods of peaks and valleys in creative endeavors, ICM is an interesting concept and as the medicine man in Dances with Wolves said; "sometimes the magic works and sometimes it doesn't"

[@patrickyott]

There is something quite haunting about what you've captured with that first b/w image. It's like a memory that's not quite a memory. If that makes sense...

[@aramb]

Really liked the first B&W image!

[@moviebod]

Very interesting Thomas, you will make oil painters of us all yet!

[@markcamm5330]

I've experimented with motion blur and purposely trying for truly abstract images, but without a lot of enthusiasm. It never occurred to me to incorporate ICM and multiple exposures. A simply brilliant idea, Thomas, so sincere thanks for opening my eyes to it. My next excursion will be wholly focused on this technique. I think what I'm feeling is your actual excitement!

[@kirstymcleod6647]

I'm so going out to try this when it stops raining!!!

[@waltervermeiren6860]

You give me inspiration!!! Have you used image stabilization? Thanks, Thomas!!!

[@V5I5E5W5]

I’ve only tried motion blur on single shots and wasn’t a fan. I was pleasantly surprised by the effect you got by doing it on multiple exposures. Especially loved the first black and white shot - mysterious and beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration. JoAnne

[@peterwallace5680]

Inspirational as always Thomas and will certainly give this a go, many thanks.

[@markbonham]

As ever, another interesting vlog and will try that out on my kit. ICM can be really interesting and love the stacking. 👍👏

[@mucklark6943]

Yes, that's a picture of a tree .... 😂 Thank you so much for this few minutes of entertainment! It brought such a smile to my face within the first minute. By the end I had picked up my camera and tried out this technique with a 2 shot composition that my camera allows.

[@AlanGurling]

Your photo #3 reminds me of The Pond-Moonlight by Edward Steichen. A very old photograph, and at one point was also the most expensive ($2.9m IIRC). Well done.

[@BrandonDavis985]

Been in a similar rut, leaving half way through this video to go try it as I've been wildly inspired. Be back shortly :)

MUR = moving blur ;) nice photo

[@onecolorist]

love this episode Thomas!

[@terricarpenter1798]

Awesome images.

[@DubYahJohn]

Hey Tom, you absolutely had me with your opening comments; totally agree but then you said something that distracted me right through the rest of the of the video, "dull as dishwater". I know I'm a pedant but it's ditch water not dishwater. Sorry. Maybe I'll try some ICM, I've done plenty of on-Ice in the past. Cheers Tom.

[@DubYahJohn]

"On-ice" should read "un-ICM" Auto correct, Grrr!

[@VanMierl0]

Hello Thomas , nice and interesting video. I myself can place myself in drawing what you say, the feeling and drawing of the moment you were there. it's not about the perfect picture, it's about enjoying it. I myself also have 1 photo on my insta that I have merged several photos into 1, and I'm curious if you see it. Happy Easter and enjoy every day. Regards, Martin 🤍

[@drewhumphrey]

Tom don’t forget to try an ICM when we are in Svalbard

[@GaryMcIntyrePhotographer]

Another great video, really appreciate the shout out🙏thank you.

[@andypotts8062]

Enjoyed the video ...I've found myself doing ICM in the past when having a creative block...the first image reminded me of a pinhole image...loved the colour one of the tree...many thanks and best wishes

[@Waniakchicago]

My favorite lens I own is a nikkor 50mm 1.4 that has the most severe case of fungus I've ever seen, and scratches all over the rear element. The resulting image quality is very painterly and dreamy, and the halation looks very unique. Sometimes "good" image quality can absolutely be a hinderance to the creative process!

[@MorningNapalm]

Careful that the fungus doesn't invade your camera and thus other lenses! It is a living thing.

[@Waniakchicago]

@@MorningNapalm Its on an equally crappy camera body, so no worries there

[@peterivarsson9267]

Great video. I suffer from block for quite some time. This was truly inspiring. Keep up the great work you do. Br Peter

[@Groovvy81]

Very inspiring, I'm gonna try this soon.

[@mattbibbings]

Well that pushed my buttons. Guess what I'm doing when Im next out with my camera!