Action shots take practice and skill to perfect. When panning is done correctly, it produces a smooth shot of an object in motion. Here are 7+ techniques to help you improve your panning technique.
Panning requires moving the camera to follow whatever is moving, but to do so to create a sharp image with the movement. Here are some tips to help you get started with panning.
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1. Beginner settings
As a beginner you want to use these settings until you are comfortable testing out other settings and making different adjustments to your camera. Use the shutter priority mode and keep your shutter speed at 1/20th of a second. The focal length should be around 200mm. Use autofocus and have the ISO at 100.
As a beginner you want to use these settings until you are comfortable testing out other settings and making different adjustments to your camera. Use the shutter priority mode and keep your shutter speed at 1/20th of a second. The focal length should be around 200mm. Use autofocus and have the ISO at 100.
2. Monopod
Use a monopod to prevent camera shake. If you are holding your camera all day, you may get tired. Even just pushing the shutter button can cause a blurry image. Use a monopod whenever you can for sharp images.
Use a monopod to prevent camera shake. If you are holding your camera all day, you may get tired. Even just pushing the shutter button can cause a blurry image. Use a monopod whenever you can for sharp images.
3. Flash
The type of flash you use can help freeze your subject while in motion. If you can, use flash with rear-curtain sync for a smooth image of the subject in motion. Test out different flash modes to see which work best for your subject.
The type of flash you use can help freeze your subject while in motion. If you can, use flash with rear-curtain sync for a smooth image of the subject in motion. Test out different flash modes to see which work best for your subject.
4. LCD
Do not rely simply on the LCD image on your camera to see if you are shooting clear shots. Take plenty of action shots, since whether they are clear or blurry will show up more on your computer.
Do not rely simply on the LCD image on your camera to see if you are shooting clear shots. Take plenty of action shots, since whether they are clear or blurry will show up more on your computer.
5. Aim and miss small
A small point of focus will help you better your chance at taking a clear panning shot. The bigger your aim is, the less likely the shot will be in focus. Use the the subject's eye as the main focus point to keep them sharp.
A small point of focus will help you better your chance at taking a clear panning shot. The bigger your aim is, the less likely the shot will be in focus. Use the the subject's eye as the main focus point to keep them sharp.
6. Use your hips
Use your hips to move your camera with the subject. This can also help prevent camera shake. Using only your head and arms to take shots can cause blurry images, so practice moving with your hips.
Use your hips to move your camera with the subject. This can also help prevent camera shake. Using only your head and arms to take shots can cause blurry images, so practice moving with your hips.
7. Subject location
Try to take shots when the subject is right in front of you. This will prevent distortion. If you shoot while the subject is coming from an angle, the perspective might change, causing a blurry shot.
Try to take shots when the subject is right in front of you. This will prevent distortion. If you shoot while the subject is coming from an angle, the perspective might change, causing a blurry shot.
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8. Practice
Take as many panning shots as you can, especially at the beginning. You will take more blurry photos than clear photos at first, but don't let this discourage you. Have fun learning how to pan and give yourself plenty of time to improve by practicing all the above techniques.
Take as many panning shots as you can, especially at the beginning. You will take more blurry photos than clear photos at first, but don't let this discourage you. Have fun learning how to pan and give yourself plenty of time to improve by practicing all the above techniques.