Mastering Panning Shots: Ronin Techniques And Tips

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 the subject to keep them in focus while blurring the background. This guide will explore how to achieve this effect using the DJI Ronin gimbal stabiliser.

Use the Ronin app's Create Capture mode to adjust the speed of rotation through the three axes: Tilt, Roll, and Pan

The Ronin app is an integral part of the gimbal outfit. While you can use the gimbal without the app, it is required for many of the more advanced features and creative modes. Once you've downloaded the app and set up the Ronin-S, you can access the Create option from the app's home screen.

The Create Capture mode is the first of the modes and is essentially a manual mode that enables you to control the Ronin-S through the app. There are three main sections. The first section enables you to adjust the speed of rotation through the three axes: Tilt, Roll, and Pan. Beneath this are the direct controls over that motion. The long bar enables you to roll left and right, and the joystick graphic enables you to pan and tilt the camera.

The Create Capture mode is ideal when you need full manual control over the movement of the camera. For video, you could use this mode for a sweeping shot, or for stills, it would be ideal for remote shooting when you need to shift the composition.

Use the Push Pan feature to manually adjust the gimbal head using your hands

The Push Pan feature is a useful tool that allows you to manually adjust the gimbal head with your hands. This can be especially handy when you need to make quick, minor adjustments to the gimbal's position. With the Push Pan feature enabled, you can conveniently fine-tune the orientation of the gimbal without needing to use the joystick. This not only makes shooting more efficient but also helps you achieve smoother footage.

To enable the Push Pan feature, you need to access the Ronin app on your device. Go to the User Profile section and look for the Push Pan toggle or button. Make sure it is enabled. This will allow you to manually adjust the pan, tilt, and roll axes of the gimbal by hand. It is important to note that you should only attempt to manually adjust the gimbal when the Push Pan feature is turned on. If it is disabled, do not try to push or adjust the gimbal with your hands, as this could potentially damage the gimbal.

The Push Pan feature is particularly useful when you are filming and need to make subtle adjustments to the gimbal's position without interrupting your shot. This level of manual control gives you the flexibility to refine your composition and ensure your camera is always optimally positioned. For example, if you are filming a scene and realise your framing is slightly off, you can simply reach out and adjust the gimbal head with your hand, correcting your framing without having to stop recording.

Additionally, the Push Pan feature can be beneficial when you are setting up your shot. It allows you to quickly fine-tune the position of the gimbal head before you start filming, ensuring that your camera is perfectly framed and composed. This can be especially useful when you are working in a fast-paced environment or need to capture spontaneous moments. With the Push Pan feature, you can make last-minute adjustments to your composition without having to rely on the joystick, saving you time and ensuring you don't miss the perfect shot.

Overall, the Push Pan feature on the Ronin gimbal is a valuable tool that gives you greater control over your camera's positioning. By enabling manual adjustments, it enhances the flexibility and precision of your filming setup, making it easier to capture smooth and stabilised footage, even in dynamic shooting environments.

Set the speed for the Pan and Tilt axes to slow

When using the Ronin-S, you can access the DJI app and enable SmoothTrack for the Pan and Tilt axes. This will make the gimbal move according to your body handling motions, which is a more effective way to produce smooth video than controlling the device with the joystick.

If you go deeper into the SmoothTrack Settings, you can set the speed for the Pan and Tilt axes to slow. This will help your gimbal movements start and stop with more ease.

Setting the speed for the Pan and Tilt axes to slow will help you produce smooth video. It will make your gimbal movements start and stop with more ease, and you will have more control over your equipment. This is especially important if you are filming fast-moving objects, as it will allow you to capture them effectively without too much unwanted movement.

It is worth noting that the Deadband – the movement threshold before the gimbal responds to your movements – should also be adjusted. For the Pan axis, set the Deadband to Medium, and for the Tilt axis, set it to High. This will ensure that the camera doesn't move up, down, left, or right when you don't intend it to.

Adjust the Deadband to Medium for the Pan axis and to High for the Tilt axes

When it comes to getting a panning shot with a Ronin, there are several settings you need to adjust beforehand to improve the overall quality of your gimbal shots. One of the key factors that differentiate footage captured by an enthusiast and a seasoned professional is shot stability.

To get a panning shot with a Ronin, you need to adjust the Deadband settings for the Pan and Tilt axes. The Deadband refers to the movement threshold before the gimbal responds to your movements. Adjusting the Deadband settings will help you control the gimbal's movement and improve shot stability.

For the Pan axis, set the Deadband to Medium. This will prevent the gimbal from constantly inching left or right when you don't intend it to, allowing you to maintain a stable shot. As for the Tilt axes, set the Deadband to High. This setting will ensure that you don't accidentally move the camera up or down when trying to maintain a level shot.

By adjusting the Deadband to Medium for the Pan axis and to High for the Tilt axes, you can achieve smoother and more controlled panning shots with your Ronin. These settings will help you fine-tune the gimbal's movement, ensuring that it only responds to your intended movements and not minor, unintentional shifts.

Additionally, you can also enable SmoothTrack for the Pan and Tilt axes in the DJI Ronin app. This feature forces the gimbal to move according to your body handling motions, providing a more natural and fluid shooting experience. With these settings, you can capture stable and cinematic footage with your Ronin, elevating your cinematography to the next level.

Use the Track feature to pre-program camera movements and replay them as many times as you want

The Ronin-S gimbal stabilizer is a great tool for filmmakers to achieve smooth camera movements without the need for large and expensive gear. One of the key benefits of using a gimbal stabilizer is the ability to pre-program camera movements and replay them as many times as needed, ensuring consistency and precision in your shots.

To achieve this, you can utilize the Track feature in the Ronin-S app. This feature can be found under the Creative tab, and it allows you to pre-program specific camera positions and movements. By taking advantage of this feature, you can plan your camera movements in advance and execute them flawlessly during your shoot.

The process of pre-programming camera movements with the Track feature is straightforward. First, access the Ronin-S app on your device and navigate to the Creative tab. Within this tab, you will find the Track feature. Here, you can start programming your desired camera positions by adjusting the gimbal's position and orientation accordingly.

Once you have programmed the desired positions, you can save this sequence and replay it as many times as needed during your shoot. This is especially useful for complex or precise camera movements that require consistency. For example, if you are filming a scene with specific character entrances or revealing a large setting, you can pre-program the camera to move along with the action, ensuring that your audience sees exactly what you want them to see.

By using the Track feature, you can focus more on your creative vision and spend less time worrying about manual adjustments during the shoot. This level of precision and repeatability can elevate your filmmaking, making your shots more immersive and engaging.

Frequently asked questions