Zoom, zoom, zoom! It’s one of my favorite types of photography, and it is fun! Zooming is part of the Intentional Camera Movement family, but instead of moving the camera, you are just moving the lens back and forth. This yields photos of a different kind!

In this technique, you adjust the focal length of a lens to change the magnification of the subject, giving the appearance of moving closer or further away without physically changing the camera’s position. This is achieved using a zoom lens, which has a variable focal length. 

Now, this is going to be a do as I say and not as I do challenge. Remember the “Break the Rules” challenge Ritva recently gave us? I break the rules when it comes to zooming.

If you can catch a reflection while zooming, you get an additional WOW!

Use a tripod. I sometimes do use a tripod. That’s how I got the name of the ride clear in this picture while pulling the lens in.

But sometimes a tripod isn’t handy. Just hold the camera as steady as possible while you’re zooming the lens.

You can start with a long exposure photograph and then have more fun experimenting. This was taken during Christmas time, which is a great time to take out that zoom lens and have fun.

If the light is bright, you’ll need to use a polarizing or neutral density filter to stop down the light. Either that or find shade. This image was taken towards evening. I was totally unprepared to do zooming but wanted to try it. I’ll confess that I don’t usually carry a polarizer or ND filter with me each time I go out. These days, I go as light as possible. I do have them though. You’ll also notice there are no daytime photos in this post. Remember do as I say—not as I do!

Additional suggestions:

Photograph at a low ISO—100 or less.

Use a long shutter speed. Start at 1 second and go down from there. You’ll need a long shutter to give you time to move the lens in or out.

Start with an aperture of F/22 and move around from there.

Use manual focus.

The longer the focal length of your zoom lens the better your effect will be. I’ve used 18-55mm and it yielded good results, but the 18-300 was better. My last thought: prime lenses do not zoom!

Your challenge this week is to take your camera and zoom lens out for some zooming. If you don’t have a polarizing or neutral density filter, then go out at night. There are always lights for you to have fun with: streetlights, neon lights, window light displays. This takes practice, so don’t get discouraged. And, there is no right or wrong in Intentional Lens Movement–just good old enjoyment!

When you post, remember to link to this post and use the Lens-Artist tag. I want to see all of your zooms!

I really enjoyed seeing your post on Tina’s challenge, “The First Thing I Thought Of.” And your humor was greatly appreciated. Laughter is good for the soul. It’s amazing how a picture can have different interpretations.

Next week Ritva will be back leading the challenge, so be sure to look for her post. In the meantime, stay healthy and live in gratitude!

82 thoughts on “Lens Artists Challenge#350: Zooming”

    1. Thanks Brad! You do so well with your cell phone. I’m wondering if you can set a shutter speed on it. I’ve never used my phone for photography. If you can, then use your body to zoom, by walking backwards or forwards. Take care.

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    2. I’ve been having a similar problem, but I discovered the Pro Camera by Moment app on my iPhone has Blur and Motion settings. I’ve taken a couple of good ‘Zoom’ photos, at a standstill, which I’ll be posting. See if your cell can get that app.

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  5. That’s a cool one but also tricky. I also use cellphone mostly. But more than that, the challenge for me is to find lights like yours. By the way, what I didn’t get completely is – one needs to zoom while pressing down the shutter, so the camera is unfocused?

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    1. Thanks PR! Oh boy, now you have me thinking…do I hold the shutter button? I do things so automatically! I don’t hold the shutter down since I’ve set the shutter for a long exposure. If you set the shutter for 30 seconds, it will remain open for that amount of time. You need to have time to move the lens either forward or backward. Same with 1 minute, etc. Give it a try. I’d like to see your results.

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  6. Fantastic challenge, Anne! I love the outcome of this technique, and your examples are gorgeous. As I also only use my phone, I guess I will have to sit this one out as well. However, I will surely try to use some of your advice. Many thanks for that!

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    1. Thanks Yanaj! I just Googled whether you can do long exposure on a cell phone. You can but it’s a convoluted process. I’m so sorry. Not using a cell for photography, I never thought about those who do and the limitations.

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      1. No worries, Anne. And many thanks for the extra information. I will certainly try out your valuable tips and suggestions. Maybe some of them work with a cell.

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  7. Terrific post Anne, must admit although I’ve done lots of ICM, I’ve never done it a night. I have a great tripod but truly hate using it!! Shame on me I suppose. Might have to pull it back out of the closet one of these days.😊

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  9. This looks fun, but way beyond the capacity of my Panasonic Lumix, where you have to enable the zoom before you take the shot. And I’m an Automatic setting kinda girl who’s not clever with manual settings. Plus I’m on Granny Duty this week. My camera won’t get a look in! You have some great shots here.

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  11. What a fun challenge this is, Anne! Although I have some old shots using this technique, I’ll capture new ones. I don’t know if I’ll try an evening or light shot, but we’ll see. Thanks for the instructions and beautiful examples.

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  13. Great post Anne and interesting idea for the challenge, but I think I am going to miss this one. It is not something I’ve ever done or would do. Sorry, to me this would be like asking people to process in a particular way. Something I know you don’t like. So good luck and I will see what people come up with.

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  15. I too will just follow along. I think it is a great challenge and something I might try in the future (thanks for the idea and the info). Too busy right now, though. Weeks are SO short any more! (lol)

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  21. Pingback: Lens-Artists #350 – Zooming – Flights of the Soul

  23. A clever technique with fascinating results! I don’t think it would be feasible with my more simple bridge camera tbh. As it happens I’m travelling this week so probably won’t get around to participating but I’ll try to see what I can achieve in post-production some time in the future.

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    1. Thanks Sarah! I asked Google if bridge cameras have zoom capabilities. Here’s what I found:

      Yes, bridge cameras definitely have zoom capabilities. In fact, many bridge cameras are known for their powerful zoom lenses, often referred to as “superzoom” lenses. These lenses can have a zoom range that’s equivalent to 28mm to 800mm or even 1200mm on a full-frame camera. 

      I hope someday you’ll give it a try.

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      1. Oh yes, I have an excellent zoom lens! But I’m not sure that the camera could handle accommodate the necessary settings. However I could give it a try one day. Not this week however as I’m away in Sicily and only brought my little point and shoot (which also has a good zoom but couldn’t handle these requirements even if I had time to practice!)

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  28. what a unique idea! i love photographing lights in all shapes and colors but i never thought to do this. i won’t be able to do this challenge Anne but now that I know you are one of the hosts (I’m figuring out who’s who :D), i will prioritize to do your next challenge when I post again for Lens-Artists. for now, consider me a fan and I’ll be stopping by again soon! Mike

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  35. Zooming in on your tips—simple, clear, and fun to try.
    Time to blur some pixels and see what sticks!
    And such a lovely artistic examples!
    SudoFilozoper [your new follower]

    Thank you!! and Thanks for following this blog.

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