Mastering Panning Shots On Your Phone: Cheap And Easy Tricks

Panning shots are a great way to add a sense of movement and energy to your photography, and you can achieve this effect with just your phone and no extra gear. This technique involves moving the camera as you press the shutter button, creating a beautiful streaked blur. While side-to-side panning is the most common technique, you can also experiment with up-and-down or diagonal movements. The key is to keep your subject sharp while blurring the background, adding drama and speed to your images. With some practice, you'll be able to capture stunning panning shots on your phone without spending a fortune.

Use burst mode

Capturing fast-moving objects with a phone can be tricky, but using burst mode can help you get the perfect panning shot. Burst mode is a feature that allows you to take a series of photos in rapid succession, increasing the likelihood of capturing the desired moment. It is especially useful when dealing with fast-moving subjects such as sports, children, or vehicles.

• Activating Burst Mode: The method to activate burst mode depends on your phone model. On iPhones, if you have an iPhone X or earlier, simply hold down the shutter button. For iPhone XS, XR, or newer models, hold the shutter button and swipe it to the left. On Android phones, the process may vary, but you can usually enable burst mode by tapping and holding the camera icon or by using a third-party camera app.
• Viewing and Selecting Photos: When you take a burst shot, your phone will capture multiple images. To view them, go to your phone's photo gallery and look for the burst mode icon, usually indicated by multiple overlapping images. Tap on the burst thumbnail to view the individual images. You can then select the best shots to keep by tapping the circle in the bottom right corner of each image and then tapping "Done".
• Storage and Editing: Burst mode can take up a lot of storage space, as it captures multiple photos. It is important to manage your storage and delete unnecessary burst shots. Additionally, you may need to edit your photos to enhance their quality, especially if they were taken in low-light conditions.
• Composition and Focus: While burst mode captures multiple images, it is still important to ensure proper composition and focus. Try to keep the subject of your photo in the frame and utilise the grid lines feature on your phone to improve composition. For focus, tap on the screen to select the area you want to be in focus. A white box will appear, turning yellow when the selected area is in sharp focus.
• Lighting and Location: Burst mode works best in well-lit environments. Avoid taking burst shots in low-light conditions, as they may result in blurry photos. Additionally, choose a suitable location with plenty of light and an interesting background that complements your subject.
• Stability and Technique: To improve stability and reduce camera shake, consider using a tripod or stabiliser when taking burst shots. Additionally, practice your panning technique by predicting the movement of your subject and following it with your lens. Start tracking the subject before it gets too close and continue tracking it even after it has passed.

Try different lenses

When it comes to panning photography, lens choice can make a big difference in the final image. Here are some tips and suggestions for choosing the right lens for your panning shots:

Telephoto vs. Wide-Angle Lenses:

• A telephoto lens can create a more dramatic effect due to its compression of perspective. Using a longer focal length, such as a 70-200mm lens, can enhance the sense of motion and blur the background more effectively.
• On the other hand, a wide-angle lens can also be a great choice for panning shots, especially if you want to include more of the surroundings or create a unique perspective. Keep in mind that a wide-angle lens will require a longer shutter speed to achieve the same effect as a telephoto lens.

Lens Focal Length:

• The focal length of your lens will impact the amount of motion blur you capture. A longer focal length requires faster panning speeds to achieve the same amount of blur as a shorter focal length. For example, a 200-300mm lens will typically require faster panning speeds than a 50mm lens.
• Consider the speed of your subject and the desired amount of blur when choosing your lens focal length. For fast-moving subjects like cars or bicycles, a longer focal length may be more suitable. For slower subjects or if you want more background blur, a shorter focal length can be a good choice.

Image Stabilization:

Some lenses have image stabilization features that can assist with panning shots. Look for lenses with "Mode 2" image stabilization, which corrects for vertical movement while allowing horizontal panning motion. This can help keep your subject sharp while blurring the background.

Lens Compatibility:

• When choosing a lens for your phone, ensure that it is compatible with your specific phone model. Different phones have varying camera placements and sizes, so check the manufacturer's compatibility list.
• Additionally, consider the attachment type. Clip-on lenses are affordable and easy to use but can be bulky. Clamp-on lenses offer a more secure fit, and lens housings provide the most protection and stability.

Practice and Experimentation:

• Panning photography takes practice to master. Experiment with different lenses, focal lengths, and shutter speeds to see the effects on your images. Try shooting the same subject with different lenses to compare the results.
• Remember that panning photography is about capturing the sense of motion and adding drama to your images. Don't be afraid to try new lenses and techniques to find the ones that work best for your creative vision.

Experiment with shutter speed

Panning photography is a creative 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 keep them sharp in the photo while blurring the background.

• Start with a shutter speed of around 1/60s. This is a good starting point, but you may need to adjust depending on the speed of your subject. For faster subjects like racecars, try a faster shutter speed of 1/125s. For slower subjects like runners, a slower shutter speed of 1/30s will give you more blur.
• The ideal shutter speed depends on several factors: the speed of your subject, the distance between you and your subject, the lens you are using, and the desired blur effect. Experiment with different shutter speeds to find the best setting for your specific situation.
• If you're using a manual mode, remember to adjust your aperture to maintain a good exposure.
• Use Shutter Priority mode to focus solely on adjusting the shutter speed while letting your camera handle the aperture. This is especially useful in variable lighting conditions.
• When panning, it's important to minimise vertical and tilt motions. Only move the upper part of your body during the pan by twisting at the waist to follow the action.
• Practice makes perfect! Panning requires good camera control, so the more you practice, the better your panning shots will become.

Set your camera to Shutter Priority mode

Shutter Priority mode is a semi-automatic camera mode that allows you to set the shutter speed and ISO while your camera sets the aperture. This mode is perfect for when you want to maintain a consistent shutter speed, which is crucial when photographing action or moving subjects.

In Shutter Priority mode, you choose a shutter speed and ISO based on image quality considerations. Your camera will then select an aperture that will give you a well-exposed image. This is especially useful when you need to ensure that moving subjects turn out sharp, or when working in rapidly changing lighting conditions.

For example, if you're photographing birds in flight, you'll often need a shutter speed of at least 1/2000s. With Shutter Priority active, you can dial in 1/2000s, pick an ISO, and let your camera choose the aperture needed for a good exposure. This way, you can focus on capturing the action without worrying about adjusting camera settings.

Shutter Priority mode is also useful when the lighting conditions are constantly changing. For instance, if the sun goes behind clouds or your subjects move into the shade, your camera will maintain the same shutter speed and adjust the aperture to balance out the exposure.

To set your camera to Shutter Priority mode, turn the mode dial to the Shutter Priority icon, usually labelled "Tv" or "S". Then, choose your desired shutter speed and ISO value. Your camera will automatically select the appropriate aperture to ensure a well-exposed image.

Keep in mind that Shutter Priority mode might not always be the best choice. If you care deeply about the depth of field in your image, you may want to use Aperture Priority or Manual mode instead. Additionally, if you're working in constant lighting conditions and want to avoid overexposing or underexposing the image, Manual mode can be a better option.

Position yourself correctly

To get the best panning shots, it's important to position yourself correctly. Here are some tips to help you do that:

First, make sure you allow some space between your camera and the subject in motion. If you're too close, your frame will be filled with the subject, and you won't get the desired motion blur effect in the background. Position yourself so that there is some contrast in the background where you will capture the subject. A flat or single-coloured background will not give the motion blur effect, resulting in a normal photo. Try to include two or more colours in the background to make the image more appealing.

When selecting your position, look for a nice background that will make your subject stand out. Panning photos look eye-catching when there is good subject-background contrast and at least two background colours. The background provides context and helps set the scene. That said, you can also create beautiful panning shots with a uniform background, such as green trees. Just avoid busy backgrounds; you want the background to complement the subject, not overwhelm it.

When you're ready to take the shot, position yourself in the right spot where you can stand comfortably and stably. Place your feet shoulder-width apart for added stability. Hold your smartphone in a horizontal position (landscape) and keep your elbows at your sides to reduce shaking while moving the phone from side to side.

Frequently asked questions