Emilie Meyer
Panning is a photography technique that involves moving the camera at the same speed as a moving object to freeze the subject while blurring the background, thus capturing its motion. It is typically used for fast-moving subjects such as cars, cyclists, and skateboarders, but can also be used for runners or even a child running in the yard. Panning requires patience and practice to perfect, and the photographer must move the camera in perfect synergy with the subject to achieve the desired effect. The two most important pieces of equipment for panning photography are a manual camera and a zoom lens, and it is also helpful to use a slower shutter speed. Google Pixel phones have a built-in Action Pan feature that makes it easy to capture dynamic action shots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Camera setting | Action Pan |
| Camera mode | Photo (not video) |
| Camera movement | Move the camera at the same speed as the moving object |
| Camera settings | Shutter priority mode, low ISO, slow shutter speed |
| Camera equipment | Manual camera, zoom lens, monopod |
| Subject | Fast-moving, clearly focused main subject |
| Background | Blurred |
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What You'll Learn
How to use the Action Pan feature on Google Pixel
Not every Google Pixel phone supports the Action Pan feature. It is not available on the Google Pixel 5a or older models, nor is it available on newer Pixel A-series phones.
If your Google Pixel supports Action Pan, you can access it by opening your camera app and ensuring you are in photo mode. Swipe left or right on the photo options and select Action Pan. Now, point your camera towards the subject of your picture and either hold it still or follow the subject. Press the shutter button, and your phone will snap an Action Pan shot, displaying it on the screen and saving it to your photos.
Action Pan works best with a single, clear subject and a defined background. The feature blurs the background while keeping the subject in focus, creating a sense of movement. It is ideal for capturing moving objects like cars on a rural road, as the camera can easily distinguish the subject from the background.
When you take a photo with Action Pan, your phone saves two versions: one with the Action Pan effect and one standard photo without any effects.
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How to pan with a custom camera configuration
Panning is a great way to add dynamism to your action shots. It involves moving your camera to match the movement of your subject, creating a blurry background and a sharp subject to emphasise speed.
To pan with a custom camera configuration, you'll need to adjust your camera settings to allow for a slow shutter speed, which is key to achieving the panning effect. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Choose Your Subject and Positioning
Select a fast-moving subject to practice your panning technique. Position yourself on a straight path with your subject, ideally in a location where they will remain at a constant distance from you as they pass.
Step 2: Select Your Lens and Camera Settings
Choose a lens that leaves some space around your subject, but not too much. Set your ISO to 'Auto' to ensure the correct shutter speed regardless of lighting conditions. Set your focus mode to 'AI Servo' ('AF-C' or 'tracking' for non-Canon cameras) to continuously track your moving subject.
Step 3: Adjust Your Shutter Speed
For panning shots, you will need to use a slower shutter speed than you would for freezing action. A good starting point for wildlife or cars with a telephoto lens is about 1/30th of a second. You may need to experiment with faster and slower shutter speeds to find the perfect blend of a blurry background and a sharp subject.
Step 4: Capture the Shot
Hold down the shutter button to take a series of photos as your subject moves past, concentrating on smoothly panning your camera to match their movement.
Step 5: Review Your Results
Check your images to see if you've achieved the desired panning effect. Your subject should appear sharp, with a streaky, blurry background.
With these steps and some practice, you'll be able to master the art of panning with your custom camera configuration, capturing dynamic action shots that showcase speed and movement.
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Tips for panning action with a Fujifilm X Series camera
Panning is a technique used to inject a sense of action into your images by capturing speed or movement. It involves moving your camera to match the movement of the subject, resulting in a sharp subject and a blurred background. Here are some tips for panning action with a Fujifilm X Series camera:
Choose the Right Subject and Location:
Select a fast-moving subject, such as motorsport or a runner, to practice your panning technique. Position yourself on a straight path rather than a corner, ensuring the subject remains at a constant distance from you as it passes. Avoid distractions in the background, such as marshals wearing luminous jackets at a race track.
Select the Appropriate Lens and Camera Settings:
Use a lens that leaves some space around the subject. If your Fujifilm X Series camera has an electronic viewfinder (EVF), consider using it for easier panning. Select autofocus or manual focusing based on your preference. For autofocus, navigate to the AF/MF SETTING menu and choose AF MODE> WIDE/TRACKING to activate all AF points. If you have Custom AF-C options, select option 2 to ignore obstacles and continuously track the subject. For manual focusing, use the pre-focusing technique by focusing on the point opposite where the subject will pass.
Master the Panning Technique:
As your subject approaches, start tracking them and press the shutter release a split second before they pass directly in front of you. Perfect timing will come with practice. Continue following the subject smoothly even after you've taken the picture. Experiment with different shutter speeds to achieve the desired blend of background blur and subject sharpness. A slower shutter speed, such as 1/125 sec or 1/60 sec, is a good starting point for fast-moving subjects.
Practice and Experimentation:
Panning takes a lot of practice to perfect. Don't be discouraged if your initial results don't match your expectations. Keep experimenting with different subjects, locations, and shutter speeds to refine your panning technique. Share your work and engage with the Fujifilm community using hashtags like #learnwithfujifilm to receive feedback and improve your skills.
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How to pan with a manual camera and zoom lens
Panning is a creative photography technique that conveys a sense of movement in action photos. It involves using a slower shutter speed and a sweeping motion of the camera that tracks your subject.
To pan with a manual camera and zoom lens, start by switching your camera to Shutter Priority (Tv) mode and selecting a shutter speed of around 1/60 sec. If you're shooting in Manual (M) mode, you'll also need to set an aperture to ensure a good exposure. Set the Drive mode to Continuous to minimise camera shake from pressing the shutter button.
When you're ready to shoot, pan your camera with your subject in motion, sweeping horizontally from a fixed position, either left or right. The goal is to keep your subject sharp while turning the background into a blur of motion. You can also combine panning with zooming, going from one extreme focal length to another to shift the viewer's attention.
As you get more comfortable with panning, you can experiment with slower shutter speeds for more blur and faster-moving subjects. Keep in mind that panning with a zoom lens can be challenging, especially with long lenses, so it may take some practice to master this technique.
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How to pan with a Google Pixel: top tips
Google Pixel's Action Pan setting is a fun way to add a dynamic touch to your photos. It is available on the Google Pixel 6 and later. This feature adds a distinctive form of motion blur to your images, with a clearly focused main subject and an intentionally blurred background.
How to access Action Pan on your Google Pixel:
- Open your camera and ensure you are in photo mode to access the settings.
- Swipe right on the photo options and select Action Pan.
Tips for using Action Pan:
- When taking a photo, point the camera at the subject and either hold it still or follow the subject.
- Press the shutter button, and your phone will snap an Action Pan shot and save it to your photos.
- Your phone will also save a standard photo without any effects added.
- Experiment with different subjects, locations, and lighting conditions to see what works best. Action Pan requires a moving object and a stationary background.
- Try using Action Pan to photograph a moving car—this will give your pictures an intense sense of motion and energy.
- For a sharp subject and blurred background, use a fast shutter speed.
- Stand in a location where the subject remains at a constant distance from you as it passes.
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Frequently asked questions
Panning is a photography technique that involves moving the camera at the same speed as a moving object to freeze the subject while blurring the background, thus showing movement in the image.
Panning is typically used to capture the motion of fast-moving subjects such as cars, cyclists, skateboarders, horses, birds, and athletes.
Set your camera to Shutter Priority Mode, which lets you choose the shutter speed and ISO while letting the camera select the aperture. Choose a fairly slow shutter speed relative to the speed of your subject to capture motion.
A manual camera and a zoom lens are the two most important pieces of equipment for panning photography. A longer focal length will increase the blur in the background.
Position yourself in a location where the subject will remain at a constant distance from you as it passes. Choose a lens that leaves some space around the subject. Set your camera's shooting mode to burst or continuous shooting to capture a sequence of images.
