This challenge is brought to you by our member Damon Marshall. Panning allows us to capture our subject's movement by motion blurring the background while keeping the subject in focus. This technique can create dynamic images that convey a real sense of speed and motion.
Damon's tips for capturing stunning panning images:
- Hold your camera steady while tracking your subject: Your ability to keep the camera steady while smoothly following your subject is crucial. Use a tripod to help maintain stability.
- Shutter speed: Choose a shutter speed that keeps your subject in focus yet provides a blurred background. Around 1/160s can be a good starting point, but feel free to experiment to find the setting that works best for your situation.
- Focus: You can pre-focus on where your subject will be or rely on your camera's autofocus.
- Editing: There's no shame in enhancing your image during post-processing. Adding some motion blur while editing can amplify the sense of movement in your photo.
- Subjects to consider: Transportation, sports, toys, birds, pets, children—anything that moves can be a great subject for panning.
We encourage you to explore the art of panning - experiment with different techniques and settings, and don't hesitate to do your own research and experimentation!
