From Click Magazine – Jan 2022 issue.
Panning describes the action of following a moving subject with a camera to create motion. The end result is a picture with a blurred background and a crisp subject.
What you will need
- SLR Camera
- Monopod (can be omitted if you have a steady hand)
- Moving subject
Step 1: Setting Your Camera to Shutter Priority Mode
Step 2: Adjusting the Shutter Speed
PANNING
- Pick a Good Shutter Speed. This is important. The longer the shutter speed, the higher the probability the image you wanted in focus will blur. Try anything between 1/8 of a second and 1/60 of a second. Beyond 1/8 of a second it’s really tough to get sharp. Above 1/60 of a second, the camera will probably stop too much action and ruin the effect. You’ll have to match the speed of your subject with your speed of panning the camera as the subject passes. This can take some practice.
- Set your camera’s autofocus mode to continuous mode so that it will try to keep the moving subject in focus all of the time. Try to keep the focus placed over the subject as you pan. When you start panning, attempt to frame the subject as soon as you can as it comes towards you, then follow it smoothly, moving left to right, or right to left.
- Track the subject whilst depressing half-way the shutter release. This will activate the autofocus.
- As soon as you are tracking the subject, smoothly fire the shutter. Keep following the subject after the shot has been taken to ensure that you maintain smoothness in your movement.
Bring down ISO: Since we are using a slow shutter speed, the camera will record quite a bit of light. Using a low ISO (around 100) will help minimize the risk of overexposing the photo.
- SAME LEVEL WITH SUBJECT: Position your camera at the same level of the subject you are going to shoot. This can help in focusing as to obtain a clear subject in your image.
- LEAVE SUFFICIENT SPACE TO SUBJECT: Another important factor you should consider is leaving enough space between you and your subject.
- USING MONOPOD/TRIPOD: Try to use a monopod or tripod during your shooting session which may help you achieve a clear subject. Set the focus to Single-Point AF, predict where will the subject appear in the frame and you are all set to shoot.
- Think about the composition, don’t just have the subject in the center of the frame. When you track your subject, keep them in the same place in your viewfinder/screen as you shoot.
- The VR Edge. “The VR [Vibration Reduction] feature in various NIKKOR lenses makes panning a lot more consistent and much easier to accomplish. The VR function offers two setting choices: Normal and Active. Normal for most panning circumstances. Active VR is recommended when a photographer is shooting from a moving vehicle—boat, bus.
- Find the right background. The right background is almost as important as the right subject. The background must have some detail in order to produce the pleasing streaks you are looking for.
So friends, practice, practice and practice….and achieve Panning shot you are looking for.
Best of luck….
Deepak Bartakke
FPSI,FIIPC, FFIP,AFIAP