Canan Karatekin
October 2026 - Passing through
Original
About the Image(s)
I've been playing with slow shutter speeds this month. A lot of the images turn out to be duds, but the unexpected surprises here and there are worth the effort. I wanted to post this image this month because I wanted to get your opinions on what you see here, without biasing you with my description. What (if anything) does this image evoke in you? And do you have any suggestions for post-processing? Thanks!
Fuji X-T5; Tamron 18-300mm/f3.5-6.3
f/16, 1/4 sec, ISO 250; hand-held
Processed with DxO Photolab, Nik Color Efex, and Photoshop
9 comments posted
The ghostly runner is a bit hard to see at first, I suppose that may be the point! When it comes to trees or other vertical structures, I have found that a vertical shake works better. Someone who specializes in ICM (check out: https://stephjohnphoto.com/)says yeah you gotta expect to reject the vast majority of images you take in this genre to find the gem. Posted: 10/03/2026 15:24:49
Thanks, Will. Yes, the point is that you shouldn't see the runner immediately, so I'm glad you didn't :-). And thanks a lot for the suggestion re: ICM, and Stephanie Johnson's images are great! Posted: 10/11/2026 15:32:16
The slow shutter combined with the camera motion makes for some confusion for me. I would have preferred one or the other, I think, with a preference for the slow shutter without the camera motion, as I find the ghost interesting. The subtle color combined with the shadows creates a sense of mystery. Posted: 10/05/2026 20:17:18
Thanks a lot for the feedback, Jennifer. Yes, I think I was a little wishy-washy with what I was trying to do here. Posted: 10/11/2026 15:33:08
I tend to agree with Will that the runner is subtle; which perhaps is OK and draws the viewer into the image as he/she tries to figure out what's going on. With images like this - I prefer a sharper background - then the slow shutter speed with a still camera creates a blur out to the motion. Here everything is blurred . . . clearly a matter of personal preference. For me - the image is perfect for Halloween - as this ghostly creature dashes through the scene! And yes- the keeper rate for such images is comparable to birds in flight :)
Still fun! Posted: 10/05/2026 21:16:52
Still fun! Posted: 10/05/2026 21:16:52
Thanks, Steven. I agree that a sharper background would have been better. I'm taking more of these kinds of images, so I'll keep this suggestion in mind as I do. Posted: 10/11/2026 15:33:48
Congratulations on your willingness to experiment. I am far from an expert on ICM. In fact, I have never tried it. I do understand that it will produce a high rate of image rejection. I, in my state of non-experience with this approach, would reject this image. It appears to my eyes to be a failure of an attempt to pan to keep the runner in focus. However, I am nowhere near being a viable judge of this area of photography. Posted: 10/19/2026 20:33:44
Thanks for your honesty, Chan :-). I love ICM--I would highly suggest playing around with it when you are in a playful mood. Yes, there is a lot of trial and error, but I love it when it works.
In this case, I wasn't trying to pan the runner, but just wanted to see what would happen if I jiggled the camera a bit while they were running by. But I agree that my intent wasn't really clear, and this is not a good example of either ICM or panning. But it did plant the seeds of an idea in my mind of photographing people with slow shutter speed (around 1/4 sec) as they were walking or running by, to illustrate the concept of people not being really seen as who they are.
Thanks for the feedback--it's very helpful! Posted: 10/20/2026 22:41:26
In this case, I wasn't trying to pan the runner, but just wanted to see what would happen if I jiggled the camera a bit while they were running by. But I agree that my intent wasn't really clear, and this is not a good example of either ICM or panning. But it did plant the seeds of an idea in my mind of photographing people with slow shutter speed (around 1/4 sec) as they were walking or running by, to illustrate the concept of people not being really seen as who they are.
Thanks for the feedback--it's very helpful! Posted: 10/20/2026 22:41:26
Really good idea. I look forward to seeing some of your results. Posted: 10/20/2026 23:01:55