Assignment 7- Panning

[Doc]

Welcome to the Assignment 7!  

You all know The Rules by now- if not, check any of the earlier assignments.

For this assignment we’re gonna try something a bit more challenging, fun, and “out of the box” for some of you.

We all try to use tripods, hold our cameras rock steady, use higher shutter speeds… in short do everything we can in order to reduce camera shake as much as possible and get the sharpest picture we can.  However, for this assignment we’re going to do just the opposite.  Camera movement is the key to this assignment.

Panning is an effective compositional effect to 1) give the effect of motion in a static picture, and 2) bring attention to your subject.  

So Assignment 7 is: simply to post a picture showing panning.

To do this one, use a slow shutter speed, pre-focus on a spot where we’re going to take our picture, then follow the subject before, during, and after the focus spot.  In other words, think “Movie Camera“.  Imagine that you’re taking a movie of a subject passing by.  You start filming the subject coming and pan the camera, following the subject as he goes by.  In our case you want to do the same thing, but snap the shutter when the subject hit’s the focus point (usually right in front of you).  The trick is to keep the camera in a constant, smooth motion as if you were filming.  The object is for the subject to be (mostly) in focus, and the background motion blurred.  

Sounds simple, huh?  It ain’t.  You‘ll waste a lot of shots (I did!), but eventually you’ll get some good ones.  

Now I went out to our local interstate and snapped a picture using my P&S to show you P&S’ers it could be done.  If yours has image stabilization, it helps to turn it off.  This was still a pretty fast shutter speed at 1/160, but you get the idea.  



For you (D)SLR people, get that shutter speed down, even using a ND filter if you have one.  The slower the shutter speed, the more blur.  

Here’s my example shots, shot at f11 with a ND filter and a shutter speed of about 1/15 (which, as you can see, is a bit too low.  Probably about 1/30 or 1/60th would’ve been better).  Certainly nothing to brag about, and you‘ll do better, right?:





Of course, be sure you get the whole subject in the frame, and that you leave enough room in front for them to move into.  In other words, don’t forget good composition!

And here’s some others to give you an idea of what panning is and what we’re looking for:

http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/photos/lensbaby_panning_01.jpg

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/wp-content/images/panning-1.jpg

http://application.knowyourdslr.com/images/shutter_speed/panning428.jpg

Now go out there and wave those cameras around and show us what ya got!

[LarryH]

Finally got it working properly

This was taken in Gainesville in 2007 about a month after I got my first DSLR, a Nikon D70.  The shutter speed was faster than Goofup recommends (1/320) because these top fuel dragsters were probably doing 200 to 275 MPH at this point and I wanted them crisp.  The net result is that even though I was panning, the background is not as blurred as possible. The kit lens 18-70mm at 70mm, f 9.


 

[Doc]

Very nice and a good job!

(But see Rule #1)

[LarryH]

OOOOOOPPPPPPSS

[LarryH]

Hey, Goofup, if you want, go ahead and delete those first two posts of mine - thanks

[Dave]

OK Good Doctor ...

Your are absolutely right.  This one ain't easy ... but it is fun.

My dog found a cat in the back yard yesterday.  She doesn't like cats   

Thought it would be good chance to get some "panning" done while she was chasing it from the yard. 
I am not too happy with the results, (dogs chasing cats do not run a predictable line). 
Although the focus is not sharp, I think it does show her speed.

(These were shot at ISO 400, f 5.6, 1/50th/1/60th sec)

I will do this again with a subject that is more predictable in movement.

 

[Doc]

"I will do this again with a subject that is more predictable in movement."

That will help, believe me!  But you did a great job for a spur-of-the-moment shots!  Nice shots like this really are tricky.  The first one is nice, but you can tell from the tail that the camera was moving either a bit slower or faster than the dog and didn't come out quite clear.  (The second example shot of mine kinda sucks cause there's some up/down movement).  Your second one is really good though- her butt is nice and sharp so the dog and camera were moving at the same speed.

K for these, and again, good job!

[Waterfall Mike]

Nice topic Doc. I have not done much of this myself but last month on vacation I had a good opportunity to try it. I was out and had just finished a long hike and was going back to my car. On the way there was a train track and I heard a train horn in the distance. I quickly got the camera out and positioned myself to get a nice colorful background of autumn trees. I set the camera to F8 which gave me a shutter speed of 1/40 S. I then set my camera to burst shooting mode. As the train sped by I locked on and panned  while shooting in burst mode. Its not completely sharp but I was pleased with this shot. Most of the others did not turn out so burst mode helped me at least get one shot.

F8 , 1/40 S,   ISO 200, burst shooting  mode.

[Doc]

Nice one!  (I rarely do panning myself and when you're "out of practice" like I was it took some doings to come up with some halfway decent examples).  You did good on this one!  The train is virtually frozen. 

[Waterfall Mike]

Thanks Doc, its something that does take some practice for sure. I got very lucky and I think the burst mode was the trick for me.

[kevgermany]

A couple of pointers for those of you trying this. Goofup's already mentioned the key ones, so just a little more.

1 - Not only prefocus, but use a smallish aperture - say f8, helps with the focussing
2 - Inspect the background before you take the shotand look for distracters like lamp posts, advertising banners that you don't want in the shot. Choose a position that's got a good lead in for you to pick-up  a fast moving subject. Try not to pick a location where the subject will go up or down - or will change speed (racing cars and motorcycles do this a lot).
3 - While looking at the background, pick something up that's easily recognisable as a trigger point while the camera's moving. 
4 - Use a wider lens/zoom than you'd use for a static shot and crop in PP.
5 - Practice panning without a subject just to see the trigger point and the up down/left/right and follow though. Then do the same with a subject, without pressing the shutter release. Look for bumps in the road that'll cause up/down movement if you're panning a vehicle.
6 - Pan the subject not in the centre of the viewfinder, but slightly behind centre, so that it has space to drive into. i.e. the camera is a little ahead of the subject.
7 - When panning concentrate on keeping the suject where you want it in the frame - and look for the trigger point. Make sure that you press the shutter release as you see the point. Allow for camera lag. As Goofup said, keep on panning. Like golf, it's a smooth follow through. SLR users should see the subject in the same viewfinder position when the mirror returns.
8 - Head, arms, shoulders should be locked. You're the tripod. Swivel from the waist, not knees or shoulders/neck. Don't stop moving unless the view's come back (DSLR) or you are well past your marker (p&s). 
9 - Support that camera/lens well, with your left hand cradling the lens/body.
10 - Start with a fastish shutter speed, and work slower. DIfferent subjects need different shutter speeds, depending on how fast they're going, how far you are away, and how far the subject is from the background.

[Sucre]

Well, I been working on doing just this, here are a few that I have been attempting. My son is playing soccer, so I been taking the camera and trying different things while watching the games. Let me know what you think.

This is one of my favorites so far.


Think this one is more clear, but still don't like it as much.

[Doc]

Sucre, these are pretty good.  I too like the first one the best though you could've used just a bit slower shutter speed to get more blur in both, and take some of that extra off the bottom.  I like that second one too, it is clearer, but that kid in the back does distract some.  Getting the placement of the subject right in the frame is tricky.  You get some K for giving it the ole college try, and these didn't come out that bad.  It does take some practice!

[Carla_]

I took my daughter to seaworld, san diego this weekend and thought of this assignment.  I was too far up in the stadium to get a really good panning shot with shamu or the dolphins (cuz I didn't want to get wet), but this shark turned out not too bad, except there's no background.  Not sure how that shark got that bite out of it's fin..

[Doc]

Carla, considering the lighting, etc, I think you did a good job panning on that shark.  Some K for you.  Did you use a flash with this with a second curtin sync or are those eye reflections just from the light going into the tank?

[Celestya]

I have to say I really like this assignment and finaly understood more about shutter speed.  My shutter speed was probably too low for this shot.  I used 1/30 for a car rolling at around 30/mph.  Definitly gonna pratice more and play with the shutter speed

Here is my attempt for this assignment. 

[Celestya]

I like this one better.  Shutter 1/100

[Doc]

ANOTHER K for trying this one out.  Glad you learned something.

However, the 1/30th pic has some really nice blur to it, and you kept the car fairly sharp.  Good panning job!  This will come in handy for runners, kids playing, bike riders, all sorts of shots in the future.

But notice how much overexposed it is.  That means that you picked a shutter speed, but either you didn't a) heed the warning in the viewfinder that the aperture the camera picked was out of range for the correct exposure (the aperture in the viewfinder may have been red), or b) if you were shooting in manual you forgot the adjust the aperture down to compensate for the slower shutter speed.  The second one has better exposure, but it's still overexposed a bit.

A good panning shot isn't as easy as it looks, but can make for fantastic photos with practice.

Remember with shots like this using Tv (or Av) you still can't just pick any ole shutter speed or aperture you want.  Sometimes you pick one of the extremes of one setting and the camera just can't adjust the other to come up with a correct exposure.  Gotta watch those warnings in the viewfinder.

[Celestya]

Thanks :-)

I didnt realise that in S mode I could also change the exposure.  In S move my settings where at:

1/30 shutter speed
Exposure compensation was at 0
Flash compensation was at 0 also.
ISO 100

Tell me if I get this right... in order to have a less over exposed picture, I should of changed the exposure compensation lower, lets say at -1, and maybe lower ISO at 80?

Althought you gave me k for this one, im going out today to practice because these are one of my favorite kind of picture along with macro.

I was also pretty far from the road, my 5 year old daughter was following me and I was scared she would run in the road so I took these from the balcony and had to zoom in.

[Doc]

I think you're missing my point.

Let's say you're gonna take a picture in bright sun and the exposure should be 1/250th at f8.  To go one stop slower to 1/125th the aperture would then need to be at f16 (if you let in twice as much light with a slower shutter speed you need to restrict the lens opening to half the size to keep the exposure the same).  The problem is you're camera may not have been able to go down to f16.  f8 is as far as it can go.  That means all you're doing is letting in twice as much light as needed and the picture comes out overexposed.

So what to do?

1- Change the ISO.  There isn't much difference between 80 and 100.  A low ISO will give you a better, less grainy picture, but it will also make the camera less sensitive to light (in this case a good thing).  FYI, my Rule Of Thumb is to set it at 100 and never change it unless you're forced to and that's the only way to get the picture (ie, you have to up it for a really dark scene).

2- Change the EV.  The only time you need to change the EV is if you think that the meter is being "fooled".  For instance, you have a person with their back to the sun.  Their face is in shadow, the background is bright, but you want the face to be exposed correctly.  You could change the EV to +1 or even +2 to expose the face correctly.  (Yes, you could also spot meter the face to get just it correct, or use fill flash to lighten the face up, but we're talking EV here).  The problem is how the camera adjusts the exposure.  If you think that it's just making the camera more or less sensitive to light, you're wrong.  It adjusts the exposure the same way you do.  In S (Tv) mode it adjusts the aperture, in A (Av) mode it adjusts the shutter speed.  If you're shooting in S mode to lock in a shutter speed, and you say "EV down a stop" but the aperture just isn't there to go to cause it's already closed down as far as it can go, it ain't happening and the picture will be overexposed.

3- Use a ND filter.  A Neutral Density filter will physically reduce the amount of light coming into the camera (think "sunglasses for your camera").  Most P&S's can't use filters though.

4- The best way is to just try it again when it's not so bright.  Say evening or when it's overcast.  Lot less light then and you can safetly use a slower shutter speed.  BTW, I know you had The Kid with you, but another way is to go ahead and use that faster shutter speed (1/125th?) but get closer.  The cars move faster in the frame that way.  My last two expample shots were taken standing right on the edge of the road.

Nice to hear you're gonna try this again.  I'm sure we all would like to see your results!  (No pressure, huh?)

EDIT: Reworded to apply to your camera.

[Celestya]

No pressure at all  LOL

On my camera, f8 is as far at it can go 

Im gonna take all this is note  (they only way it all sinks in, is when I write everything down lol)

and i'll definitly be back with more shots of this!

[Doc]

I reworded my post to apply to your camera, check it out.

[Celestya]

I tried this again this morning.  Its cloudy outside and I thought I would experience with Manuel mode   
I set ISO to 100
Shutter 1/30
and F until I found the right one. 
Its very cloudy outside and about to rain.

This is my results





Too bad for the tree in front of the mustang    pressed down the shutter to fast.. he was SPEEDING in a 30 mph zone and didnt wanna miss the mustang!! LOL

[Doc]

Much better exposure, though I think the cloudy day had a lot more to do with it than going manual.  Too bad about the tree.  The second one is better zoomed in, but the rear is cut off.  If you would've waited just a bit to let him clear the tree it would be just about perfect.  It does take practice!

[Celestya]

Its raining outside right now, but im not letting this one go *giggle*

[Celestya]

[Doc]

That first one, you cut the tail off again.  The second one the truck filled the frame, but the third one- that's a goodie!  Got it all AND placed it just right in the frame with some space in front.   Great Pan Job!  Little levels and you got it!

[LiseG]

Wow! This assignment required quite a bit of practice before I could blur the backgrounds. 

Well here it goes, my attempt at panning.


#1  Black Van



#2  Black Car



#3  Black Pick-up




This road had a 55 MPH limit and out of the three cars, the sedan was the fastest at around 65-70.
 

[Doc]

If you've never done any panning before you're right, it does take some practice to get the cars "sharp" and the background blurred.  The last two are just great!  K for those!  (To be honest, I had some fun with this one myself).  Good Job!  Now you're ready for cyclists, runners, or whatever.

[LiseG]

If you've never done any panning before you're right, it does take some practice to get the cars "sharp" and the background blurred.  The last two are just great!  K for those!  (To be honest, I had some fun with this one myself).  Good Job!  Now you're ready for cyclists, runners, or whatever.

I've only tried panning a few times but that was 2 or 3 years ago and with a different camera.  I must have taken close to 500 shots yesterday and of those, I kept 5.  It was a challenge and I'm glad I didn't give up half way through.    

Thanks Doc.  I tried two cyclists and three motorcycles yesterday but the sharpness was so-so.  I didn't keep them.  I'll try again when I get a chance this week, just for fun this time. 

[Doc]

500 shots!  Wow!  I'm glad you perservered though.  Ain't as easy as it sounds, but when you do get one right, it's usually a jaw-dropper.

[Celestya]

  I got a new camera.  Canon EOS 1000D with the EFS 18-55mm Lens and the EF-S 55-250mm IS lens  so I decided to redo some of the assignments to get to learn my new toy :-)

Ive been practicing panning all morning and I just can seem to get it right.  I get the motion blur, but the car is never sharp like I would want it to be.

Here is the settings for this picture.

Shutter 1/30
F8.0
Iso 100
White Balance on Cloudy
AF : One shot
Metering Mode:  Evaluative metering.

[Doc]

Looks like you got everything just right- the motion, exposure, etc.  All but the car being still.

Like hitting a baseball, throwing a football, or hitting a golf ball, it's the follow-thru that counts.  The only reason you car isn't sharp is that the camera isn't moving the same speed as the car.  Very close, but not quite.  Pick a point and focus on it, pressing the shutter half way down.  Pick up a car before it gets there, follow it like you taking a movie of it, click the shutter at the focus spot, and keep following the car (the follow-thru).

Takes some practice, but I have faith in you!

[Celestya]

and keep following the car (the follow-thru).

Thats the part I was missing :-)

I even managed to take it on Manual.

Shutter: 1/30
F 8.0
ISO 100
White Balance: Auto

The car looks much sharper!

Thank You    Now i'll be able to move on the other assignments I havent done yet.  This one was bugging me lol

[Doc]

Great!  Nuthin to it, right?