EX48 Panning
Panning is when you follow a moving subject with your camera so that the subject is sharp. Usually we follow the subject at the same speed it moves at. Depending on which shutter speed you use, the blurring of the background changes. You could create a very soft background blurt with a longer shutter speed or keep it relatively sharp by using a faster one.
You will get a different effect if you use a wide angle lens to a telephoto one.
Some photographers keep both eyes open, so that they can track the subject as it moves. I often pick something on my camera that I can line it up with the subject and keep the subject in the same spot.
It really takes lots of practice. I did a term at TAFE studying photography and they took us down to the freeway and made us take two rolls of film panning the cars as they went past. They then had us process and print a few.
Dogs and birds also make good panning subjects.
This week find something that moves that you can try panning and practice on. Try different focal length lenses and see what different effects you can get.
You may even wish to head down the more abstract route too. But, the main goal is to keep the subject still in the frame as you follow it with your camera. Post three different panned photographs in the comments bellow.
Panning the bird as it flies past.
Panning the dog as it runs up the beach
Panning the Black Cockatoo as it flies past with a fast shutter speed, and no background blur.
Photographs and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2019
