Photo Technique for August-Panning - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

lynnestacey · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2005

Panning

Running a bit behind schedule with this month's technique challenge, sorry everyone!

For August, let's attempt PANNING (keep subject in focus while background is blurry showing movement). I say attempt because it will probably take a lot of practice.

You will need to slow down the shutter speed, try 1/60th and lower for starters. Follow your subject by moving just your hips (I read this somewhere) and press the shutter when your subject hits the center of your shot. KEEP FOLLOWING YOUR SUBJECT until the shutter has closed again (photo taken). If you are having troubles focusing and taking the shot when your subject hits the center of the image, try focusing on a test subject that is at the exact location, then, follow the moving subject and finish pressing the shutter button down while following the moving subject.

Attached are 2 wonderful examples of panning, taken by our own Lisa (Leewinz).

Don't forget to post in the Monthly Photo Technique Gallery !

Good Luck and please let us know how you accomplished this too! Just place a link here in this thread.

The Photo Team

Nevermore · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2005

Good grief, this sounds more complicated than my golf swing!!!! Okay, the neighbours already think I am crazy crouching in the driveway for grass. Now they get to see me out there swinging my butt, no, my hips, no no no my elbows, lol. I can't wait to try this.

lynnestacey · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2005

LOL! My neighbors already know I've lost it! They always see me out front standing as still as possible waiting for that butterfly to land closeby, lol.

momvetscrapper · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2005

Okay, so I finally got a "real" camera and decided that in order to learn to use it I needed to jump in on some of these challenges, you know push myself to try new things, be adventurous! AND THIS is what I stepped into. LOL. You gotta be kidding. LOL... I am going to try but I'll be doing good if I don't throw the camera down with all this hip swinging. We'll just pray for focus because I'm not able to multitask that well.
I promise to post something...

Nevermore · #5 (**permalink**) 08-07-2005

Of note for newbies (like me) who are somewhat scientifically challenged. This won't work from a moving car--finally figured out that I am going the same speed as the other cars which cancels out everything else. Also of note, it really bugs other drivers to have you panning and snapping at them and could cause an accident as they glare back at you over their shoulder. Ahem. Unfortunately, end result of 29 tries is not one focussed subject with blurred background. Next attempt will be to corral 5 year old and force him to run in front of camera over and over and over until one of us drops from exhaustion. No bets on who will drop first.

Nevermore · #6 (**permalink**) 08-08-2005

I do keep trying but I am just not getting it. I get the opposite effect. Maybe my hips are too stiff!!!!! Never fear, I will persist. Wish I owned a dog or a fast moving object other than my child. Costly to keep bribing him for these photo sessions.

http://tinyurl.com/aymju

Suzie · #7 (**permalink**) 08-10-2005

OH this is a toughy.
I used my 512 card twice and got nothing worth posting. I keep getting the opposite effect. Thank gawd for Digital, I'd be upset if I spent all this money on devopling fees.
I've tried small moving toys going across the table and a ball across the couch.
My problem is my eye to watch the object either goes black and I can't follow or the speed of the camera shutter is too fast.
This is very interesting and fun.

Nevermore · #8 (**permalink**) 08-10-2005

thank you so much, Suzie for some suggestions about things to move. I will definitely try that. (Can't believe you have used a 512 card twice!)