Mastering Motion: Panning Photography Techniques For Beginners

Panning photography is a technique used to capture a sense of motion in your images. It involves using a slow shutter speed and moving the camera along with the subject to create a motion blur in the background. The key to capturing fast-moving subjects is getting the right shutter speed, which will depend on how fast your subject is moving. For example, if you're photographing a car, a shutter speed of around 1/125 is ideal, whereas for a subject moving at a moderate pace, a shutter speed of 1/60 second is more suitable. It's important to keep your upper body stable and only move the camera with your wrists during the pan. To get started with panning photography, you can practice on predictable moving subjects such as cars on a road or runners on a track.

Choose a moving target

When choosing a moving target for panning photography, it is best to start with recurrent subjects that move at a similar speed. For example, position yourself on the sidewalk and photograph the cars as they pass by. You can also try your hand at panning shots with your pet, a friend running or cycling, or a battery-operated toy.

Once you get the hang of it, you can move on to faster-moving subjects such as birds, horses, racing cars, and so on. The best part of panning photography is finding fun subjects to photograph.

When choosing your moving target, it's important to remember that the subject should be moving adjacent to your position, not directly towards or away from you. If the subject is running towards your camera, you won't have the opportunity to move your setup, and your subject will just turn out blurry.

Additionally, the farther the subject is from you, the slower it will appear to be going and the easier it will be to stay with during your pan.

If you're just starting out with panning photography, it is recommended to photograph cars as your moving target. They are easy to find, predictable, and move at a good speed for you to hone your panning skills.

Set your shutter speed

Setting the right shutter speed is crucial for achieving the desired panning effect in your photographs. Here's a detailed guide to help you master this technique:

Choosing the Right Shutter Speed:

• The ideal shutter speed depends on the speed of your subject and the amount of motion blur you want to capture. Start with a shutter speed of around 1/60s for your initial attempts.
• For faster subjects like cars or cyclists, you may need a faster shutter speed, such as 1/125s, to capture the motion effectively.
• For slower subjects like runners or animals, a slower shutter speed, such as 1/30s, will help create a more pronounced blur effect.
• Experiment with different shutter speeds to find the right balance between freezing the subject and capturing motion blur.

Camera Settings:

• Switch your camera to Shutter Priority (Tv) or Manual (M) mode. In Shutter Priority mode, you can select the shutter speed, and the camera will automatically choose the appropriate aperture.
• Set your shutter speed to around 1/60s as a starting point and adjust from there. If you're comfortable with the technique, you can lower the shutter speed to capture more blur or increase it for less blur.
• Adjust your aperture (f-stop) based on the exposure requirements of your scene. A higher f-stop value will let in less light, resulting in a darker image.
• Set your ISO to a lower value, such as 100, to capture sharper images with less noise.

Techniques for Better Panning:

• Use burst mode or continuous shooting mode to capture multiple shots in quick succession. This increases your chances of getting a great shot and reduces camera shake.
• Start tracking your subject before they enter the frame, and continue tracking them even after they exit. This helps you gauge their speed and ensures a smooth panning motion.
• Ensure you maintain a comfortable distance from the subject. This will give your lens enough space to focus and make it easier to keep the subject in the frame.
• Choose a background with texture, features, and contrast to enhance the panning effect. A uniform background may not create the desired visual streaks or blur.
• Practice panning with predictable subjects like cars or cyclists to refine your technique. The more you practice, the better you'll become at choosing the right shutter speed for different scenarios.

Use a tripod

Using a tripod is a great way to ensure stability when panning. Here are some tips for using a tripod for panning photography:

• Choose the right tripod head: A pan-and-tilt tripod head is ideal for panning photography as it allows for smooth vertical and horizontal movements. Some tripod heads are designed specifically for smooth panning, so look out for these when making your choice.
• Attach the tripod head: If your tripod didn't come with a head, you can attach one by screwing it on. Make sure the head fits the correct mount on your tripod, such as 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch.
• Mount your camera: Use a quick-release plate to attach your camera to the tripod head. If you're using a long telephoto lens, mount it to the tripod collar instead to spread the weight evenly.
• Extend the panning handle: A longer panning handle will give you more leverage and allow for smoother panning motions. You can use a metal or plastic pipe, or a long cardboard tube, over your existing panning handle to extend it.
• Use a shutter release: To avoid camera shake, use a wired shutter release that you can run along the panning handle. This will allow you to hold the shutter button in one hand while panning with the other.
• Practice: As with any new technique, practice makes perfect. Experiment with different shutter speeds and panning motions to get a feel for what works best.

Try vertical panning

Vertical panning is a fun way to add a creative twist to your nature photography. It's a simple technique, but no two images will turn out exactly the same. You can achieve this effect with a tripod or handheld. A tripod will help you keep the camera straight as you pan up, but it can also work handheld.

First, set your camera settings to lower the shutter speed. In bright light, you'll need to max out your aperture and your ISO. For example, set your ISO to 100 and your aperture to f/22. If you have a neutral density (ND) filter, you may not need to max out these settings. Generally, you'll want a shutter speed of around 1/30s to 1-2 seconds. The panning effect will vary depending on the shutter speed and how fast you move the camera, with the latter being the most significant factor. If you use an ND filter, a 6-stop filter is a good choice as this will get the shutter speed down to about 1 second, and you'll still be able to focus with the filter on.

Once you have your settings, set up the frame by choosing your focal length and where the bottom of the frame will be. Focus on the scene, and as you press the shutter, move the camera up. The faster the shutter speed, the quicker you'll need to move the camera to get the blur effect. Try to stay steady and move the camera up in a straight line. If you're shooting handheld, keep your elbows close to your body to steady yourself. Faster movement will create more blur, while slower movement will leave a little more detail in the scene.

You can use a longer lens to focus on grass or trees, or a wider focal length to capture more of the scene.

Use shutter priority mode

Shutter Priority mode is an excellent setting for panning photography, allowing you to focus on capturing motion while the camera assists with other settings. Here's a detailed guide on using Shutter Priority mode for panning shots:

Understanding Shutter Priority Mode

Shutter Priority mode, denoted as "S" or "Tv" (for Time Value) on your camera, is an assisted shooting mode. It gives you direct control over your camera's shutter speed while the camera automatically adjusts the aperture to ensure a well-exposed image. This mode is perfect when you want to prioritize capturing motion over adjusting other settings manually.

Choosing the Right Shutter Speed for Panning

The key to successful panning photography is selecting the appropriate shutter speed. Slower shutter speeds, such as 1/30 or 1/20 of a second, are ideal for creating motion blur and adding a sense of speed to your images. Start with a shutter speed of around 1/60 of a second and gradually decrease it as you become more comfortable. For more blur, try 1/30 or slower, and for less blur, you can increase it to 1/125.

Adjusting ISO and Aperture

While Shutter Priority mode primarily focuses on shutter speed, you can also adjust your ISO setting. For panning photography, an ISO of 100 is a good starting point, and you can increase or decrease it based on lighting conditions. The aperture will be automatically selected by your camera to complement the shutter speed and ISO you've chosen. A faster shutter speed typically requires a wider aperture (lower f-number) to let in more light, while a slower shutter speed results in a narrower aperture.

Practicing Your Panning Technique

Panning photography requires practice to perfect. It's essential to move your camera smoothly at the same speed as your subject. Start tracking your subject before they reach your intended spot and continue tracking them even after they pass by. This follow-through is crucial for maintaining smooth and stable panning motions.

When to Use Shutter Priority for Panning

Experimenting with Different Subjects and Speeds

Don't be afraid to experiment with different shutter speeds and subjects. Try panning with cars, runners, cyclists, or even wildlife. Each subject will have its own ideal shutter speed range, so play around with the settings to find the perfect balance between sharpness and motion blur. Remember, panning photography often involves a lot of misses, so keep practicing and reviewing your images to refine your technique.

Frequently asked questions