Panning photography was one of my experiments. Hard to master, but worthwhile the effort as it offers very creative and challenging perspectives.
Once again, I watched a video and said to myself: “I’ve got to try that!”. And there we go… with a full backpack to a main street nearby home.
Panning on vehicles
First, I went to a large street close to a round-about. Therefore, cars on both sides drove quite slowly, which made it easier for me. So, I began with cars.
At the photo above, The angle was not ideal, but I got my subject in focus. I was not happy with the background that was too visible, I wanted it to be as blurred as possible and I wanted my subject to be at the center.
I finally got it at the center of the image, my best car shot that day. But I am still not happy with it. The background is not blurred enough, all cars have more or less the same color and, frankly, the spot is quite ugly. Some more attempts with worse results and then I went for walkers.
Panning on runners, bikers and others
Not too bad at all. The composition is not brillant, but my subject is more or less in focus and interesting. I have tried also people walking, neverthless, the photos were poor. However is was interesting to notice that with a shutter speed of 1/15s I almost got a walker in focus. Next time I will try a little bit faster shutter speed.
The scooter was also nice to shoot. I love the background blur, but the subject is a bit out of focus. Well, it gives the sens of speed, doesn’t it?
Changing the logic
And then I tried the opposite. Instead of focusing on the people in movement, I chose the place to be seen and let the runners get blurred. And I loved the result. OK, the photo is not good, but I like the feeling, the runners are surreal, like they had superpowers.
Panning photography is an exciting experience. I found it difficult, it’s necessary to train much more to really control what you do, but it’s worthwhile. I’m doing it again and again until I get it. Have you ever tried?