What camera settings and technique work best for panning shots of moving subjects?
Asked 2/15/2011
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I want to photograph moving subjects such as cars or bicycles with a sharp subject and a blurred background. I’ve tried panning before but haven’t had much success.
What’s a good starting point for lens choice, shutter speed, and technique when learning panning?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
15
I find a long lens helps 200-300mm, as you have to move the camera more side to side, being closer and using a shorter lens will give you problems with the subject coming toward you and then going away. Being further away yields a more consistent side to side panning motion which is easier to perform consistently. A strong deliberate sideways motion also helps overcome any slight vertical motion that can blur your subject.
I try to lock my elbows at 90 degrees like a sort of tripod and move from the waist when doing this sort of panning. A long lens and fast subject requires fast panning so I use a shutter speed of around 1/200 - 1/250s for motorsports:
This was shot @200mm, 1/200s, f/4
Another one @200mm, 1/250s, f/7.1
This one was done with a wider lens @75mm, 1/250, f/7.1 due to space. A longer lens would have given me more movement and better blur.
Even with the best lens and technique you will probably still miss more often than hit, so it always takes time and patience.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
15y ago
0
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A good starting point is shutter priority mode and practicing with subjects moving across your field of view, rather than toward or away from you.
Useful starting points:
- shutter speed: around 1/125s to start, then adjust
- faster subjects may still blur nicely at 1/200–1/250s
- use a longer lens when possible, roughly 200–300mm, since it makes the motion more side-to-side and easier to track consistently
Technique matters as much as settings:
- stand where the subject passes across you from left to right or right to left
- start tracking early so autofocus can lock on
- keep your movement smooth; many photographers lock their arms and rotate from the waist
- continue the pan after pressing the shutter to keep motion smooth
Also watch the background: a plain, uncluttered background makes the effect look much better.
Finally, choose shutter speed with the subject in mind. For example, with vehicles or propeller aircraft, avoid speeds so fast that wheels or propellers look completely frozen if you want a stronger sense of motion. The key is practice: try different shutter speeds and keep shooting until your timing and smoothness improve.
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