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Previously we’ve covered the topic of shutter speed and looked at how increasing and decreasing it can have a significant impact upon the images we take – particularly if the subjects in those images are moving.
Today I’d like to take a brief look at a related topic – that of photographing moving subjects by ‘panning’.
Panning is a technique that can produce amazing results (if you perfect it…. or get lucky) but is also one that can take a lot of practice to get right.
The basic idea behind panning as a technique is that you pan your camera along in time with the moving subject and end up getting a relatively sharp subject but a blurred background.
This gives the shot a feeling of movement and speed. It’s particularly useful in capturing any fast moving subject whether it be a racing car, running pet, cyclist etc.
I’ve found that panning seems to work best with moving subjects that are on a relatively straight trajectory which allows you to predict where they’ll be moving to. Objects that are moving side to side are challenging and can result in messy looking shots as the motion blur can be quite erratic.
There are no rules with panning and you might also like to experiment with using your flash while panning. This slow synch flash technique will only work if the subject is close enough or your flash is powerful enough to have an impact – but will help to further freeze your main subject while giving the background the motion blur you’re after.
If you do use a flash you’ll want to test a variety of settings to get it looking right. In some cases you’ll probably need to pull back the strength of your flash by a half or a third.
If you’re going to try panning for the first time you should approach it with an experimental attitude. It can be a lot of fun but can also be quite frustrating. If you’re at a special event where you have fast moving subjects (like a car race etc) you’ll probably want to mix up your style of shooting. Don’t just use this technique all day – instead also shoot some shots at fast shutter speeds. This way you’ll end up with a variety of shots and will probably end up with some useful ones instead of just having a collection of blurry unusable ones.
If you want to practice panning (and it is something that you need to practice – a lot), head out into a busy part of your city and practice on passing traffic. That way you have a never ending supply of subjects.
Also keep in mind that it’s unlikely that your main subject will ever be completely sharp and in focus. This technique is about getting a relatively sharp subject in comparison to it’s background. Some blurring of your main subject can actually add to the feeling of motion in the shot.
Once you’ve practiced the panning technique share your results with us in our Forums.
Note: this post is a ‘classic dPS post’ that was previously published but has been updated for today. Also read about the technique of panning in The Art of Panning.
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explanation is very simpel and to the point. No confusion and very much useful.
This is a wonderful write-up. I will take more time exploring this issue.
Great article on this technique. The examples were clear and demonstrated your points well. Another great entry.
This posting was saved like a favorite :), I like your website!
Hi Darren, My name is Anugrah and I'm new to photography. I've Nikon P510. I want to know what is the shutter-speed and other stuffs you did to get the first picture done ?
Thanks.
Hi, I like panning shots very much and this is the first shot after I read the technique here. Thanks friends...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photorain/6973827857/in/photostream
An important setting not mentioned is that the camera should be on AI servo
Great advice. I've tried before without really understanding the science behind it but the results worked out okay. Maybe just a lucky shot but I'm proud!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/claire_flynn/6378370635/in/photostream
Good advice, I've had to dabble with this when photographing equine events; capturing those moments when the horse front legs are tucked right up over a jump is crucial
Thanks for a wonderful article.. I read about panning a while ago and experimented it while I was in Phuket..Here it is
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76601665@N00/6873475649/
Here's a panning shot I took at a Rodeo here in Australia back in January. Canon EOS 7D with Sigma 50~500 lens on a monopod. ISO 100
http://flic.kr/p/brQsYi
after reading to one of the other posts here few months ago.. i gave it a try and this is the result..
i prefer to call it 'Panning-Go-Round' haha.. i had as much fun as my 3 year old niece.. though it'd be better if she had listened bit more carefully :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41059852@N02/6848970541/in/photostream/
Here is one I did in Phuket a couple of weeks ago. Taken by mreastwood http://www.flickr.com/photos/66972742@N07/6781871767
Totally loving that first shot of the skateboarder, actually all of these are great! I used to shoot a lot of sports so often did panning but since switching to weddings I've not used the technique much, I'm going to try to bring it in from time to time for a different effect.
Thanks for the encouragement to get me thinking outside of the box!
Another slow pan shot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmcgs/6503675385/in/photostream/
And another on my Flickr page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmcgs/6503726685/in/photostream
Here isd my result of a panning shot on my Facebook page. Just follow the link.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/317544_129793063795496_129726213802181_166398_1131497340_n.jpg
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