Bluebells ICM in Dorset 2025
Every year in April there is one thing on most Dorset photographers minds – Bluebells
There is nothing like a Dorset wood in early spring. The sound of the birds, the light mist in the air. The rich perfume of wild garlic. The new green leaves on the trees. With all that it is the fresh colourful Bluebells which gives the wow factor.
Why Intentional camera movement with Bluebells?
ICM is one of those marmite things but when you are at artist at heart it ticks all the boxes.
The one thing all photographers will agree on is that Bluebells gives a lovely contrast to the woods. With the normal Bluebell shot you need that gorgeous side light from a sunrise with a little mist. That makes the magic. With ICM the conditions are slightly different.
The best conditions I have seen is when the light is just starting to come into the scene and hits a couple of trunks or it is when the sun comes out behind a cloud and opens up a small area of the woods. The light I want is soft, not overpowering.
The great thing about this type of photography every picture is slightly different which can make it very difficult in deciding which picture is my favourite.
The movement
OK, I am going to go all spiritual now. ICM isn’t all about the up and down movement with your wrists. Yes you get the movement BUT you do have to ask – Does this gorgeous scene need too much movement?
I feel you want some clarity on what the blur actually is and you also want to show the beauty which if it looks like you are going 100 miles an hour down the dual carriageway you are not going to see it.
So lets go at a slower pace and instead of using just the wrist, use the whole arm with the motion. Getting the right exposure is also important but I feel that motion gives a calmer feel which the landscape deserves.
The pictures below are my favourites from this season. You will see some are of a very similar scene but it shows what I mean of every single picture looking slightly different. Which are your favourites. Help me decide! Comment below.
