Tiffany Haney
Panning is a technique used in photography and cinematography to convey a sense of movement in images or videos. It involves using a slow shutter speed and moving the camera at the same speed as the subject, resulting in a sharp image of the subject while the background appears as a blur. The apparent panning speed is controlled by the physical rotation of the camera, the camera's sensor size, and the focal length of the lens. Camera panning can make static shots more dynamic, give vistas a more expansive feel, and track the movement of a subject.
To achieve effective panning, it is crucial to consider factors such as shutter speed, image stabilisation, autofocus settings, and continuous shooting mode. Additionally, the background colours and horizontal lines can enhance the sense of motion. Panning takes practice and experimentation to master, but it adds drama and excitement to images.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Camera panning speed | Depends on the physical rotation of the camera, the camera’s sensor size, and the focal length of the lens |
| Panning rate | Should be no faster than a full image width every seven seconds |
| Shutter angle | Larger angles cause panning to appear smoother but more smeared, whereas smaller angles cause panning to appear crisper but choppier |
| Frame rate | Capturing at a higher frame rate (e.g. 48 or 60 fps) can help smooth high-frequency camera movements |
| Binaural hearing | The way in which we hear with two ears, allowing us to hear sounds from two different points in space |
| Interaural time difference | The difference in arrival time of a sound between the two ears |
| Interaural level difference | The difference in loudness of a sound between the two ears |
| Panning techniques | Hard panning, complementary panning, LCR panning, narrow verses and wider choruses, stereo panning |
Panning in photography
Panning is a creative photography technique that conveys a sense of movement in action photos. It involves using a slow shutter speed and moving the camera at the same speed as your subject to capture a sharp image of the moving subject while the background and static objects appear as a blur.
How to Detect How Much Panning
The amount of panning required depends on the speed of the subject, the distance between the camera and the subject, the focal length of the lens, and the desired blur effect. A faster-moving subject will require a faster shutter speed, while a slower-moving subject will need a slower shutter speed.
Camera Settings for Panning
To achieve the panning effect, switch your camera to Shutter Priority (Tv) or full Manual (M) mode and select a shutter speed between 1/60 and 1/30 of a second as a starting point. You may need to adjust the shutter speed depending on the speed of your subject and the desired blur effect. Set the ISO to 100 and the aperture to f/8 or f/10.
Techniques for Panning
When panning, it is important to keep your upper body stable and only move the camera with your wrists or a smooth tripod motion. Start tracking your subject before they reach your intended spot and continue tracking them even after they have passed. Use continuous shooting mode and autofocus to increase your chances of capturing a sharp image.
Choosing a Subject for Panning
Panning works best with subjects moving past you (square-on) rather than towards or away from you, as their size and perspective change, making it challenging to keep them in focus. Start with easier subjects like cars or cyclists, as they move at a predictable speed and are easier to track.
Choosing a Background for Panning
The background is crucial for a successful panning shot. Look for a background with texture, features, and contrast to create visual streaks and blur as you pan. A uniform background, like a clear blue sky, will not create the desired blur effect.
Practice and Experimentation
Panning is a technique that requires practice and experimentation. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts are not perfect; adjust your shutter speed, try different lenses, and play with exposure settings to improve your panning photography skills.
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Binaural hearing
Benefits of Binaural Hearing
- Improved sound localisation: Binaural hearing makes it easier to identify the location of a sound.
- Better speech recognition: Binaural hearing improves the ability to understand speech, particularly in noisy environments.
- Reduced listening fatigue: Listening with one ear for a prolonged period can result in fatigue and discomfort.
- Improved selective listening: Binaural hearing enhances the ability to pay attention to one voice or sound while ignoring others.
- Better sound quality: Individuals with two hearing aids require less amplification than they would with one, resulting in better sound quality and reduced risk of sound distortion.
- Improved frequency selectivity: Binaural hearing provides better discrimination ability, especially in noisy and reverberant environments.
- Head shadow effect: The head shadow effect results in a reduction of speech intensity from one side of the head to the other, making it easier to identify the source of a sound.
- Binaural summation: Binaural summation refers to the improved sensitivity to sound when both ears hear simultaneously, leading to improved speech discrimination scores.
- Binaural release of masking: This allows for better understanding of spoken language in the presence of background noise or conversation.
Impact of Unilateral Hearing Loss
Unilateral hearing loss can impair an individual's ability to localise sounds and comprehend speech, particularly in noisy environments. Children with unilateral hearing loss may experience speech, language, and academic delays. They may also face social challenges, as they can be unaware of others speaking to them from their "bad ear" side.
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LCR panning
When using LCR panning, it's important to pay attention to EQ and arrangement to ensure good differentiation between instruments panned hard left and hard right. You can also use reverb or other stereo ambience to fill any "holes" in the stereo field. Keep in mind that when you sum a stereo LCR mix to mono, the overall mix balance will change, with sounds panned to the sides becoming quieter relative to those in the centre.
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Panning in mixes
- Try hard-panning doubled instruments: If you have double-tracked instruments (the same part recorded twice, for effect), try panning them hard left and hard right. This is a classic move with heavy electric guitars, but it can also work with instruments such as EDM synths and saxophones.
- Complementary panning: If you have two instruments occupying similar frequencies, try panning them opposite to one another. For example, 20% left and 20% right. This will create a more balanced feel.
- Remember panning conventions: Snare drums usually appear in the centre image, even though they are not centred on a drum kit. The same is true for the bass guitar and the kick drum.
- Try narrow verses and wider choruses: Create the illusion of dynamics through different panning schemes for the verse and chorus. During the verses, try a narrower panning scheme, and then move the instruments wider for the chorus.
- Check your work in mono: Always check your mix in mono to ensure you aren't losing too much in the fold-down.
- Consider the club: If you're mixing electronic music that will be played in a club setting, remember that many playback systems are mono. Pay special attention to elements such as reverb and panning moves.
- Don't overdo any one panning location: If you choose an arbitrary location within the stereo field and fill it with trebly, busy instruments, you will tax the listener.
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Panning speed
The rule of thumb for panning speed is to not exceed a full image width every seven seconds; otherwise, the image may exhibit unpleasant visual artefacts known as "strobing" or "judder." This issue arises when objects or backgrounds appear to flash across the screen in discrete jumps due to excessive on-screen displacement between frames.
While the seven-second rule provides a good starting point, it is not an absolute limit. Images will not instantly become unwatchable if they surpass this speed, and slowing down may not entirely eliminate artefacts. The seven-second guideline is based on traditional theatrical viewing conditions of 24 fps with a 180° shutter angle. Deviating from these settings can impact the appearance of panning and the optimal speed.
The shutter angle plays a role in balancing stuttered and blurred panning. Larger angles result in smoother but more smeared panning, while smaller angles yield crisper but choppier results. Most cinematic pans are executed near 180°, but special effects or scenes may call for different settings. For instance, a dreamlike effect can be achieved with faster panning and a larger shutter angle.
The frame rate is another factor that influences panning. Capturing at a higher frame rate, such as 48 or 60 fps, can mitigate high-frequency camera movement issues when the footage is played back at a slower speed, such as 24 or 30 fps. Alternatively, playing back at a higher frame rate can reduce the appearance of judder or other artefacts without sacrificing panning speed.
In addition to these technical considerations, it's important to remember that the panning should look good to the viewer. The mood of the scene and personal preferences also play a role in determining the appropriate panning speed.
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Frequently asked questions
Panning is a technique used in audio and photography to create a sense of movement or directionality. In audio, panning involves positioning sounds at specific locations in the stereo image of a mix, giving the illusion of depth and width. In photography, panning involves using a slow shutter speed and moving the camera at the same speed as the subject, creating a motion blur that adds drama and a sense of speed to the image.
Panning works by controlling the volume of a sound from different speakers. By playing a sound louder from one speaker, our brain perceives it as coming from that side. This is achieved using pan pots, which allow us to position sounds at any point between the two speakers.
To achieve smooth and effective camera panning, it is important to control the panning speed, which is influenced by the physical rotation of the camera, sensor size, and focal length of the lens. It is recommended to pan no faster than a full image width every seven seconds to avoid unpleasant visual artifacts like strobing or "judder."
Some common panning techniques include hard panning, where instruments are panned hard left or hard right; complementary panning, where similar instruments are panned opposite each other to create balance; and LCR panning, where instruments are panned to only three positions: hard left, hard right, or centre.
The amount of panning depends on the desired effect and the specific instruments or sounds involved. Generally, it is recommended to aim for a symmetrical mix, with an equal number of elements panned to each side. Keep low-frequency instruments like the kick drum, snare drum, and bass guitar in the centre, as they are harder to localise and can cause issues with power consumption and vinyl pressing.
