Click to Learn Some Real Nice Panning!! Photo

Photographer’s Note

Sorry about the catchy title to get your attention :-))

First of all I would like to thank everyone for the big support for my Previous posting on TE. I was very pleased to see that photo doing so very well on TE, big thanks to everyone who looked at that photo and found it worthy enough for leaving some kind words.

My current posting is outcome of my first decent results of panning technique.
I took this photo outside the building where I go to work, those of you who are interested in knowing the spatial location of where I work can check the map view of this photo.

Continuing with my series of dedications on TE.
I would like to dedicate this photo to Guntram
I don’t know why he left the TE few days ago, but it was his gallery and his experiments with panning that got me to finally shed my lethargy and learn about this technique and try it myself.

I would also like to acknowledge two other people on TE who helped me in the path of learning this technique.

I don’t know the name of the First person, all I remember is that he/she had a panning shot of a car on Brooklyn Bridge, NYC. I had critiqued that photo, and the person who took this photo was kind enough to tell me briefly about this technique. This was my first encounter with knowing how these shots are taken. I tried to find this photo on TE, but I think it was taken off by the photographer as I could not find it among the photos I have critiqued.

Second person I would like to acknowledge would be Claire Vezina who was kind enough to send me a very informative introduction that gave me the detailed description of the panning technique.

For those of you who are new to Panning Technique, I would like to mention that Panning is achieved by following the subject with the camera as you take the photograph. Using a faster shutter speed to freeze a moving object usually look static and lack impact. With Panning we select a slower speed and follow the subject as we take the photograph. Panning is a great technique for action and, once perfected, the main subject will be sharp against a blurred background. The idea is to follow the subject as it passes in front of you and continue to follow it as you press the shutter and even after the shot is taken.
Source: ePHOTOzine

As a final word I would like to mention is that panning shots of the moving motor vehicles are the easiest ones to learn, the fun starts when you try to take panning shots objects moving in arcs and that of objects having unpredictable motion.

vincent24, jafadabret, jeancolemonts, KevRyan, weswang, rafelito, kclai, kittyhawk, azadys, bibiweb, ramesh_lalwani, riclopes, devimeuxbe, john_c, digi-mom, singuanti, Quentin, svo555, alvaraalto, rabani, xavshot, Tue, tcht, aloyho, lara, simonekarl, rahul__rahul__, danos, vikous has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

danielswalsh (13310) 2006-03-30 19:38

A feel the start of a new series coming on Sarju...

This is a great example of panning- good amount of details in the truck and a nice smooth panning effect.
I know a tripod with a lever handle can be quite helpful when panning- not that I've tried it yet myself. hahaha

Nice work Sarju,
- Dan

wkshelton (0) 2006-03-30 20:30

hi, A great omposed and captured shot, TFS Kyle

umbrellaphotos (1901) 2006-03-30 20:49

Sarju,

I have to agree with Dan, this is a great example of panning. I'm very impressed that you were able to get such great detail in the truck. I've never tried panning, but I'm thinking it could be a blast. Thanks for sharing!

Brian

weswang (18223) 2006-03-30 21:38

Hi Sarju, A good try of the panning picture to show the speed of the pickup. You did well managed to have the same speed with the car to get the nice clear image of the car while the environment is blurred out because of your camera moving. Good try and nice result.

rafelito (3645) 2006-03-30 21:51

Sarju
I not much of this technology to take this type of photo, do not have a very good camera for it either, nevertheless I can distinguish the extreme quality of difinición in the light truck and the fund totally out of focus
I suppose that this is achieved by a great speed of the lens.
Regards Rafael

kclai (2267) 2006-03-30 22:05

Hi Sarju
Beautiful panning effect, while maintaining the sharpness and clarity of the moving truck.
Well, Sarju, with the compact DC, this is considered a very excellent composition.
Cheers and well done.
Eric Lai

kittyhawk (1687) 2006-03-30 23:58

Very nicely done, the pick-up is nice and clear. Very nice panning.

- Halgeir

ramesh_lalwani (3209) 2006-03-31 2:35

Hi Sarju
You got excellent shot there which tempts me to also try my hand on panning.TFS
Ramesh

riclopes (32967) 2006-03-31 3:36

Hi Sarju,
How nice to see you with another post. Did you do any pp in here?
This is indeed a very well sucessful shot in the panning technique. I also have learned it trough Claire and a good result is such a pleasure to see. However, I havent't try it out yet...
I admire your experiments and the search for diferent techniques and all the nice dynamic posts that you have. I remember you saying once to a Claire's post, that you need to see something focused in a blurred photo. Well, you maneged very well in here. Excellent result! Congratulations!
Cheers mate,
Ricardo

bibiweb (8) 2006-03-31 4:20

It's me again! ;o)
Great panning shot. This is something I want to try too now that I've seen the results from several TE members. The vehicle is really very sharp and stands out perfectly against the burry background. I see you've had very good teachers!
Have a nice day.
Brigitte

rbcy1974 (20742) 2006-03-31 6:30

Hello Sarju
Its been a while
very good shot capturing the movement of the trucl and its enviornment
thanks for the tips on panning, will try to experiment
Regards
Daniel

devimeuxbe (55853) 2006-03-31 7:31

Hi Sarju
Thanks for your very informative note and congratulation for this picture. Tecnical is perfect and the speed is impressive here.
Well done
bertrand

siloway (60) 2006-03-31 9:40

Thanks for the hint on the technique, I'll try that one, I tried another technique which is basically zooming as you shoot and got interesting results too, you can take a look here http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/France/photo330854.htm

talikf (1290) 2006-03-31 12:08

Hey Sarju, great work! You really achieved fantastic results and thanks for the note too, it's very informative. Tali

john_c (24635) 2006-03-31 13:34

Hi Sarju,
You have really mastered the technique it seems. The perfect sharpness and clarity of the truck is accompanied by a mesmerizing blurring effect. I agree with Dan that the panning is very smooth. Well captured, Sarju.
John

cam (8880) 2006-03-31 21:19

Hi Sarju
I could not help but notice your diminishing activity on TE,and so I am happy to see you back in business.
Hope you like your job and are enjoying yourself at the same time.
Good use of the technic here,the car being very sharp in a very blurred environement,iving a sense of speeding.Hope they did not get a ticket.
Keep having fun
Have a good weekend
Charles

singuanti (15240) 2006-04-01 23:11

Hey Sarju. You took of a picture of my truck! Actually mine is red. With this result you've inspired me to try this and see what I can come up with. Technically I think you nailed all aspects of the shot. tfs Sarju!

Quentin (5278) 2006-04-02 11:52

Hi Sarju
This a great panning shot! I love the dynamism of your
picture and the background looks really beautiful. You get
this technique perfectly, well done.
Quentin

svo555 (1028) 2006-04-02 14:31

Hi Sarju! Excellent result and great note!
For sure I will try this technique, very interesting!
Regards,
Sergi

rabani (9421) 2006-04-05 1:38

I'd imagine your next stop is the race track yes Sarju. You did pretty well with this pan. The subject is in focus and sharp leaving the rest in motion blur.

alvaraalto (5231) 2006-04-05 3:53

Hi Sarju,
You did an excellent job! With this shutter time it's amazing you got the car so sharp. I did never succeed in this kind of pictures but I will continue to try.
groet Rob
:=) follows

cloverstar (0) 2006-04-05 13:26

A great useful and informative note. I want to rush out and start panning now. I tried it before, but still need some practice.
Your first attempt is very good. The truck is quite well in focus and the background blurred. I see you are now in Ottawa. Hope all is well with you Sarju.

xavshot (62267) 2006-04-05 15:51

Bonsoir Sarju
félicitations pour ce panning très réussi. J'en ai posté un sur TE et c'est vrai que pour ma part il y avait beaucoup de photos ratées pour arriver à avoir une photo potable. Celle-ci est superbe : quelle netteté ! je suis impressionné. Bravo
Xavier

jafadabret (39417) 2006-04-06 2:14

Sraju, tu nous donnes là une excellente leçon de filé. La photo est très agréable à voir. Le véhicule filé est d'une présence impressionnante et l'impression de vitesse est là.
Bon travail !
Jacques

vincent24 (9038) 2006-04-06 7:29

Hello Sarju,
Excellent!you were exactly synchronized with the car!that's the only condition to the succes of the picture,there's a theme called"the panning technique" you can put this one,i've try myself and i find it very funny,you stay at the same place and you shot everything passing by..
congratulations,
vincent

Tue (25608) 2006-04-11 17:56

Hej Sarju,
The result is great, beautiful to see how the car is so sharp in those blurry surroundings. Really very well captured and thanks a lot for sharing!
Hilsen,
Lars

sergio1 (12150) 2006-04-12 5:23

Hi Sarju
interesting shot to the pick up. I like the focus and compo.
Great idea and shot.
Well done.
Sergio

tcht (7298) 2006-04-23 17:18

Hello Sarju,
Very nice panning! Superb sharpness and lights... Just one thing I don't understand - why did u place the truck there? I'd put it somewhere, ie to left of frame to suggest bigger sense of motion and dynamicism...
And have a look at my panning shot , & see what you think. (...now I'm advertising my pictures :p hope ya don't mind)
Anyway, great photo dude.
Cheers,
Cheukhin

aloyho (6109) 2006-05-24 8:40

Hi Sarju,
I can see the smile on your face after this successful attempt. I have tried once, not too successful and have not followed up since. I like the colour here and the composition is good considering that you have to pan your camera and must be difficult to take the background into consideration. Well done!! Nice to hear from you again and thanks for the suggestion.

lara (915) 2006-05-29 11:28

Hi Sarju,
Congrats for the result. I guess the truck wasn't moving that fast (the stop lights are on); did you try with a fast moving object?
I tried this technique myself, but I did not insist on it. I got an honorable result with an icecream shot; then I changed my camera and for half a year now I'm trying to get used to it...
Is BP before present?...
Greetings,
Lara :)

annagrace (2463) 2006-06-16 22:34

Great job on your first panning effort, Sarju! I have posted a couple of panning shots, both of athletes. One of a runner in our huge 10K the Peachtree Road Race, and the other of an Olympic cyclist during the '96 Olympics here in Atlanta. I'm proud of both and it is a hard technique to do properly.

You have perfectly captured the truck with a nice blurred background. Excellent job, you should submit it to Ford or whoever makes that truck.

Have a great weekend,

Alli

simonekarl (404) 2006-06-27 13:14

Ciao Sarju
This is a wonderful example of the technique. You have also explained it very clearly for those who do not know. What about expanding of this with some sync flash......
Nice to see also that you bought the monster, I will be eargly looking to see your postings from India.
By the way, my little sister has just returned for India, and is going back to get married! I'll have to go there and meet this chap. What shame that will be, amazing food, endless photographic possibilties and plenty of walking and sightseeing. : )

rmatthews (941) 2006-07-28 4:53

Very nice...panning is a lot harder to do than to talk about. And you did a very good job.

danos (32228) 2007-02-03 9:39

Hi Sarju
Beautiful panning effect, while maintaining the sharpness and clarity of the moving truck.You learn about this technique as I see, very well,and it's a great and sucessful example of panning technique.Well done.
Regards,Danos

vikous (2217) 2007-05-06 5:59

Hallo Sarju!
Impresive photograph with great technique of panning! Your note is very useful too, thanks very much for sharing this stunning photo and for all information with it.
Best regards,
viktor