Mastering Motion: Capturing Perfect Panning Shots

Panning photography is a technique that conveys a sense of motion in your images. It involves moving the camera horizontally to follow a moving subject, resulting in a sharp subject and a blurred background. This technique adds drama and energy to your photos, making it a great skill to have for capturing action and sports shots.

To achieve a good panning shot, you need to master the right combination of camera settings and techniques. Here are some key tips to help you get started:

- Use a slow shutter speed, typically between 1/30 to 1/125 of a second, depending on the speed of your subject.

- Match the speed of your subject and move the camera along with them to create a motion blur effect.

- Set your camera to Shutter Priority mode to focus on adjusting the shutter speed while the camera handles the aperture.

- Use a tripod or monopod to stabilise your camera and minimise camera shake.

- Choose a suitable lens, such as a telephoto or wide-angle lens, to create the desired effect.

- Practice is essential! Panning requires good camera control, so experiment with different shutter speeds and subjects to refine your technique.

Choosing the shutter speed

Choosing the right shutter speed is crucial for achieving a good panning shot. The ideal shutter speed depends on various factors, including the speed of your subject, the distance between you and the subject, the lens you are using, and the desired blur effect. Here are some tips to help you choose the right shutter speed for your panning shots:

• Start with a shutter speed of around 1/60s and adjust as needed. Slower shutter speeds will create more blur, while faster shutter speeds will result in less blur. For example, try 1/30s or slower for more blur, and 1/125s for less.
• Faster-moving subjects, such as racing cars, will require faster shutter speeds compared to slower-moving subjects like cyclists.
• Experiment with different shutter speeds to find the best setting for your specific situation. Remember that faster subjects will require faster shutter speeds, while slower subjects will need slower shutter speeds.
• Use Shutter Priority mode (Tv) to select the shutter speed while letting the camera choose the aperture for a correct exposure. This mode is useful when photographing in variable lighting conditions.
• If shooting in Manual mode (M), you will need to set both the shutter speed and aperture to achieve the desired exposure.
• Review your images and make adjustments as needed. If your subject is too sharp, decrease the shutter speed, and if it's too blurry, increase the speed.

Using a tripod

Choose the Right Tripod and Head

Select a tripod that is designed for photography, rather than video. Look for a tripod with legs that are unbound, allowing you to change the leg angles freely and get lower to the ground if needed. The tripod head is also an important consideration. True fluid heads provide the smoothest moves and are the choice of serious shooters. They allow for smooth starts and stops to pans and tilts, as well as speed variations during the movement. If you're using a heavy telephoto lens, consider a gimbal head for better weight distribution.

Slow Down the Shutter Speed

Enter your camera's Shutter Priority mode (usually denoted as "Tv" or "S") and choose a slower shutter speed. This will enable you to capture motion blur while keeping static parts of the image sharp. Be careful not to slow it down too much, as this can lead to overexposure. If you need an even slower shutter speed, try lowering the ISO or using a neutral density (ND) filter.

Extend the Panning Handle

A longer panning handle provides extra leverage and helps you achieve a smoother panning motion. If your tripod has a short handle, you can extend it by attaching a metal or plastic pipe, or even a long cardboard tube, over the existing handle.

Use a Wired Shutter Release

When panning with a tripod, your hand is usually some distance from the shutter, which can be inconvenient. A wired shutter release can solve this problem. Run the cable along the handle so you can hold it in the same hand as the panning handle. This allows you to activate autofocus and take the shot without moving your hand.

Stabilise with a Rubber Band

To smooth out any abruptness or shakiness in your panning shots, try placing a rubber band on the tripod's head handle. This helps even out the tension at the start and end of the shot and minimises the impact of small movements.

Framing for a sharp panning shot

Framing is an important part of panning photography. It helps you capture fast-moving subjects sharply, with some motion blur in the background. Here are some tips to achieve a sharp panning shot:

• Use a tripod or a camera strap: Mount your camera on a tripod or use a camera strap around your neck to smoothly follow the moving subjects. This will help you achieve a stable and smooth panning motion.
• Prepare your image frame: Frame your image as if the moving subjects are already in the scene and wait for them to enter your focal area. This will help you capture the subjects sharply as they move through your frame.
• Match the speed of the moving subjects: Try to match the speed of the moving subjects as closely as possible while panning. This will help you keep them in focus and create a smooth motion blur in the background.
• Use burst mode or continuous shooting: Enable burst mode or continuous shooting on your camera to capture multiple shots in a fraction of a second. This will increase your chances of getting a sharp image, as panning photography often involves a lot of misses.
• Choose the right shutter speed: The right shutter speed depends on the speed of your subject. For fast-moving subjects like cars, a shutter speed of around 1/125 is recommended. For slower subjects, you may need a shutter speed of around 1/80 or slower. Experiment with different shutter speeds to find the best setting for your specific situation.
• Maintain a correct position: Position yourself correctly to follow the motion of the moving subjects with your camera. Keep some distance between your camera and the subjects to give your lens enough space to focus.
• Use autofocus: Enable autofocus on your camera to help keep the moving subjects in focus, especially if they are moving erratically or unpredictably.
• Practice: Panning photography takes practice to master. Experiment with different subjects, shutter speeds, and techniques to improve your skills and achieve sharp panning shots consistently.

Using the flash

Using flash in panning photography can help you capture a perfectly sharp subject. The flash will freeze the moving subject, while the background will still be recorded as a blur by the ambient light. This technique is especially useful when you want to capture a subject in motion without any motion blur, such as a car or a cyclist.

To use flash in panning photography, you will need to set your camera to slow-sync flash mode. This will allow you to combine a single flash burst with the panning technique while using a slow shutter speed. You can choose to fire the flash at the beginning or the end of the shot, resulting in different panning effects. Experiment with different flash timings to see which effect you prefer.

Additionally, make sure that your flash is powerful enough and that your subject is close enough for the flash to have an impact. Test your flash exposure settings and adjust them as needed. You may need to reduce the strength of your flash by half or a third to achieve the desired effect.

Keep in mind that using flash in panning photography requires precision and practice. It is a fun technique that can create unique and impressive images, but it can also be challenging and frustrating at times. Don't be discouraged if you don't get perfect results right away; keep experimenting and refining your technique.

Accuracy when adjusting the shutter speed

Accuracy is key when adjusting the shutter speed for panning shots. The right shutter speed depends on how fast your subject is moving. If you have a subject moving at high speed, such as a car, a faster shutter speed of around 1/125 is recommended. For a subject moving at a moderate pace, a shutter speed of 1/60 is suggested. For slower-moving subjects, you may need a shutter speed of around one-eighth of a second or even slower.

It is important to experiment with different shutter speeds to find the right one for your specific situation. You can also use the formula "one divided by the focal length of the lens" to determine the minimum shutter speed needed to capture a sharp image. For example, if you are using an 85mm lens, set the shutter speed to 1/85 of a second.

Remember that panning photography is about capturing motion, so don't be afraid to slow down your shutter speed and embrace some blur in your images.

Frequently asked questions