I had heard and read a little bit about camera tossing and kinetic photography, but have never tried it before until a couple of weeks ago. In case you have not heard of such things, according to the Wikipedia, “Kinetic photography is an experimental photographic technique in which the photographer uses movement resulting from physics to create an image. This typically involves the artist not directly holding the camera, but allowing the camera to react to forces applied to it in order to make a photograph.”
Camera tossing is a version of the kinetic photography technique where the photographer literally puts their camera in motion by throwing it in the air with the idea of producing abstract and artistic looking photos. The effect is produced by using a timer or slow shutter speed, pressing the shutter button and tossing the camera (hence the name) before, during or after the photograph is exposed. It seems that this technique works best at night, or in low-lighting conditions where the camera is able to capture light sources against the darkness. Perhaps one of the biggest keys to the success of this technique is that you catch your camera after the throwing, dropping or launching. Why is that the key? Well, you might not be able to recover images from a broken camera, right?
I decided to have a go at camera tossing from the top of the Space Needle in Gatlinburg, Tennessee which is 407 feet up in the air. (As my grandmother used to say, “If you are going to be a bear, be a grizzly.”) At 407 feet up, I decided to toss my camera, with the wrist strap attached. A fall from up there would surely result in the disintegration of my beloved little Cannon SD 790. I have included some photos without the tossing effect just to give you a point of reference, and to show just how high up in the air were were… standing on a thin steel platform… that swayed… a lot. No, I am not a huge fan of heights, but my curiosity to see the city from up there got the best of me.
I think these turned out OK for my first attempt, and I plan on giving it a go again sometime soon. Hope you enjoy!
If you want to see more examples of camera tossing, check out the Flickr Camera Toss Group. Currently, the group has posted over 6,500 beautiful examples of the technique.
WIRED magazine is holding a contest on Wired.com for the best holiday-themed Camera Toss photo. You can upload your pics direct to Wired.com, or just tag old or new photos on Flickr with “wiredcameratoss” and use a CC license. You can vote on your favorites (and find a handy step by step how-to) here.
Also, Smashing Magazine recently put together a post full of beautiful examples of the technique. Have a look!
Not only is camera tossing fun to say, it’s fun to do and the results can range from the bizarre to breathtaking. Now get out there and throw you camera in the air!
