Photography Panning Technique For Beginner

What is Panning?

Panning is one of the most fun cinematography and photography techniques you can learn in this KSHITIJ VIVAN blog. Panning uses slower shutter speeds combined with a sweeping motion of the camera that follows at the same speed as a subject from a fixed position. This motion is similar to the motion of a person when they turn their head on their neck from right to left. A successfully panned shot will show a subject off sharply while its background is blurred. This Panning technique is done on a subject moving horizontally such as a moving vehicle, or a running animal. It can also be done vertically while tracking a person diving into a pool off a high board.

Photography Panning Technique For Beginner

How to Pan:

• Choose the Moving target.

• Set the shutter speed somewhere below 1/60th of a second (set your ISO and f-stop to perform a proper exposure around your chosen shutter speed).

• Move the camera and body at the same pace as the moving subject.

• Focus on the subject and hold down the camera trigger to continuously shoot frames as you move with the subject from the fixed position. Keep shooting through the entire rotation.

Tips: When Starting with Camera Panning

1. Set Camera to Shutter Priority Mode

Put your camera into shutter priority mode (S or TV).

2. Select a Slow Shutter Speed

Dial down your speed to approximately 1/40s. Set panning speeds usually range between 1/15s to 1/60s.

3. Switch to Focus Mode

Switch to the continuous focus mode AF-C or AI-Servo.

4. Set the Shooting Node

Turn on the continuous shooting mode. A better chance of capturing the great moment you will also minimize camera shake from pressing the shutter button.

5. Set the ISO

If shooting in daylight then drop the ISO to 100, if panning at night then increase ISO to 400 and up.

6. Set the Subject

Stand closer rather than further from the subject. Usually, pan in the range of 3 to 10 meters away from the subject depending on the lens. Wide-angle lenses allow you to stand a bit closer while telephoto or portrait lens requires a bit of distance.

7. Think about the Composition

Press the shutter button and move the camera along with the subject, keeping them in the same place in your viewfinder.

8. Follow the Target

You need to be following the target to keep the photo subject sharp and the background in motion. If you stand still, the subject will look like a ghost while the background will remain clear.

Camera Settings:

• Camera mode – manual (M)

• ISO – 100-200

• Shutter speed – 1/30th – 1/10th of a second

• F-Stop – f16 – f22

• White balance – Auto

• Focus – Auto

• AI Servo – continuous autofocus

• First image priority – focus

• Second image priority – speed

• Frame Rate – Continuous High, 6 frames per second

How to Stabilize yourself while Panning

Start from a standing or kneeling position. Hold the camera in both hands as you normally would. Firmly press your elbows into the rib cage. Firmly plant your feet or knees in a slightly wide stance. Rotate your whole upper body while panning, but not your hands. Inhale, hold, fire away. You must be in a position where you are not wobbling or tilting while you are moving. The more locked-in and compact your position is the steadier your rotation will be.

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For Example:

Airshows are a great place to practice this panning technique. Get yourself in the right position and in every few minutes you get another try. Faster shutter speed and a little luck deliver an impressive shot.

Panning takes lots of practice, so don’t worry if your first images are not perfect. Learn by taking lots of photos and working out on it. Is it the wrong shutter speed you set