Craig Boehman 0
Tutorial
Jan 21 • Written By Craig Boehman
How to Use
Slow Shutter
Cam App on
iPhone for
Stunning ICM
Photography
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I’ll admit it: one of the main reasons I
considered switching from Android to
iOS was the Slow Shutter Cam app. As
an avid fan of ICM photography, I was
eager to explore ways to capture
motion-blur images on a phone—
without relying on a bulky full-frame
camera and an ND filter. After seeing
how many iPhone users were
leveraging Slow Shutter Cam to create
stunning visuals, I was convinced it had
the potential to produce gallery-
worthy fine art prints.
Now, after just a few weeks of using it
on the iPhone 16 Pro, I’m hooked. I find
myself reaching for this app as often
as the iPhone’s onboard cameras. The
results are a revelation: the images
have a distinctly different aesthetic
compared to the signature full-frame
mirrorless look of my traditional ICM
shots—a refreshing and inspiring
change.
Get the Slow Shutter Cam App
Let’s get rolling! Here’s my tutorial on
the settings and how I use Slow Shutter
Cam to create ICM photos.
My Slow Shutter
Cam Settings
It takes just a minute to set up the
right settings and activate the correct
camera to start using the Slow Shutter
Cam app on your iPhone. I won’t go
over every setting, but I’ll share a few
notes on why I selected certain
options.
Workflow: Auto-Save-
Clear
For me, this is the most crucial setting,
and it’s one you’ll need to change
manually. I embarrassingly discovered
it much later after I started using the
app. This setting allows you to keep
shooting without the extra steps of
saving and clearing the current image
before pressing the shutter again. The
downside is you’ll end up with more
images to delete, but it’s worth the
hassle. Otherwise, you’ll waste three or
more seconds saving and clearing
each image manually, which can be a
dealbreaker when speed is essential
for capturing multiple shots of a
person or scene.
Photo Resolution:
12MP
Listen up: a 12MP file is the largest size
available on the Slow Shutter Cam
app, and honestly, the other options
are pointless. Why on earth would I
shell out over a grand for an iPhone
and my go-to app just to settle for
anything smaller? Twelve megapixels
is already pushing it!
Photo Aspect Ratio:
16:9
The 16:9 aspect ratio just so happens
to be my preferred ratio for images
straight out of the iPhone. Just be
aware that you also have the 1:1
square ratio, 4:3, and Native.
Photo File Format: TIFF
The TIFF file format provides the best
image quality and preserves more
information compared to JPG, PNG,
and HEIF. For me, it’s also the most
versatile and practical option. Unless
you have specific needs for one of the
other formats, it’s always wise to
prioritize maximum performance.
Here’s a quick comparison to illustrate
why TIFF is a better choice than JPG,
for example.
Advantages of TIFF Files
1. Higher Image Quality:
• TIFF files are lossless,
meaning they retain all the
original image data. JPEGs,
on the other hand, are
compressed and lose quality
during the compression
process.
2. Better for Editing:
• TIFF files handle color
adjustments, exposure
tweaks, and other edits
much better without
degrading the image quality.
JPEGs can quickly break
down with repeated edits.
3. Greater Dynamic Range:
• TIFF files capture a broader
range of tones, which is
particularly useful for
images with a lot of detail in
shadows and highlights—
perfect for Intentional
Camera Movement (ICM)
shots.
4. No Compression Artifacts:
• JPEG compression can
create noticeable artifacts,
especially in areas of high
contrast or with intricate
details. TIFF files avoid this
issue entirely.
5. Archival Quality:
• For fine art prints or long-
term storage, TIFF files are
more reliable due to their
higher fidelity and durability
in retaining quality.
When to Use TIFF vs. JPEG
• Choose TIFF: If you plan to edit
your images extensively or want
the highest quality for printing.
• Choose JPEG: For casual use,
social media sharing, or when you
need smaller file sizes to save
storage space.
Auto-Lock AF/AE:
ON
The option to auto lock focus and
exposure is very useful to me when
shooting street photography
combined with ICM. I haven’t run
across any situation yet that would
require having it off.
Geotagging: ON
Geotagging is a must for me. Since I’m
often exploring new locations, having a
record of where my images were
taken is invaluable. It’s all too easy to
forget the details over time.
Sound Effects: ON
I don’t usually worry about sound
effects since the camera click is quiet
enough to blend into the noise of most
crowded locations. However, if I were
shooting somewhere like a library or a
spot where silence is key, I’d definitely
consider turning it off to stay under
the radar.
Capture Mode:
Light Trail
When shooting ICM photos with the
Slow Shutter Cam app, the Light
Trails Capture Mode is the go-to
choice. It delivers the intentional
camera movement aesthetics I’m
familiar with. While Motion Blur and
Low Light have their purposes, for
ICM, Light Trails is the clear winner.
Honestly, they could’ve just called it
"ICM" instead—I’m not here for light
trails anyway. The best part is you
don’t need a tripod and ND filter. The
right settings are all you need.
Light Sensitivity: Full
I haven’t needed to experiment much
with this setting. When I first started
using the app, I found that turning it up
worked best overall. It handles both
dimly lit and overly bright
environments well, so for now, I’m
sticking with it. I might tweak it down
the line, but it’s doing the job for me.
Shutter Speed: Bulb
The Slow Shutter Cam app offers
several shutter speed options beyond
Bulb, ranging from Minimum up to 60
seconds. In the past, I often used a
1/4-second shutter speed for my ICM
photography. However, I’ve recently
embraced the ease of shooting in Bulb
mode, thanks to how seamless the
app makes it. Let’s be honest—
subjects vary, and there’s no one-size-
fits-all shutter speed. With a simple
press to start the Bulb feature and
another to stop it, I can keep the
shutter open as long as needed while
watching real-time results on the
screen. After trying this in a fast-
paced street photography setting, I
was hooked. I can’t imagine using the
app any other way now.
ISO: Auto
I’ve been perfectly fine leaving Auto
ISO as is. Even in extremely bright
conditions, like shooting at the beach,
it handles images well. The only
situation where I’d consider changing it
is in a controlled environment where a
specific ISO setting might produce a
more pleasing result. In that case, I’d
lock in the desired ISO value.
That’s All You Need
to Know to Get
Started Using Slow
Shutter Camera
App
The Slow Shutter Cam app offers
several additional features, but if
you’re comfortable using an iPhone,
navigating its interface should feel
straightforward. With what we’ve
covered—leveraging Light Trails mode
for ICM photography, experimenting
with Bulb mode for real-time results,
and maximizing image quality by
shooting in TIFF—you’re well-equipped
to make the most of this app. Auto
Lock AF/AE and Auto ISO further
simplify the process, letting you focus
on creativity without worrying about
technical distractions.
All that’s left is to start capturing
those beautiful ICM shots. Experiment
with different settings, explore how
the app performs in various lighting
conditions, and let your creativity guide
you. The more you practice, the more
you’ll discover what works for your
unique style and vision. Now, it’s time to
turn everyday moments into
extraordinary art.
Join me in Goa for my iphone fine
art workshop
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Slow Shutter Cam
app • iPhone • Tutorial
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