How to Photograph a Moving Vehicle as if Going Fast with the Photography Panning Technique

Let’s get to know the technique or how to take pictures by panning in photography

mrfdn – Welcome to the mrfdn photography blog. This time I am very excited because there are more and more posts on this blog. It turns out that there is also a lot that I can fill in this blog. So that this blog becomes fat, hopefully it can be a reference for friends who are looking for info about photography.

Alright, this time let’s talk about panning photography techniques. What is panning?

Panning is a photo technique where we capture moving objects as if they are moving (with the effect of moving objects), not freezing at all.

You must have seen photos of motorbike racing competitions, such as moto gp, formula 1. Where the picture of the motorbike will look like it is really moving. That’s because the background of the photo becomes blurry and forms a motion effect moving in the direction of the speed of the motor / vehicle.

But did you know that you too can take similar pictures?

With simple objects such as vehicles passing by on the streets you can practice this panning technique. For example, such as this photo of a person riding a bicycle, as if the cyclist was speeding.

The photo panning technique shoots at a slow speed to record the movement of an oncoming bicycle.

To take a photo like that, it’s not too difficult but also not easy, there must be enough effort. You just need to know the working principle of the camera. No need for expensive camera equipment, just a camera that can be operated manually such as a DSLR or mirrorless camera. This technique is mostly done by sports photographers / sports journalists who work in the arena or track.

Working principle and ways to get photos with panning technique

The working principle is that we play with timeliness, subject speed, and the speed at which the camera moves.

#1 Alright, to get a photo with the panning technique first you have to set the camera to manual mode (m). Then also turn off the auto focus of your camera. With manual mode you can adjust the effect you want to get as you wish.

#2 Then set your camera speed at least 1/8 second and maximum 1/60 second. (so you can use 1/50, or 1/30, or 1/15). This is the right speed for capturing panning photos.

#3 Adjust aperture and iso according to lighting conditions. Which exists. Do not change the speed setting again.

#4 Then determine the focal point where the subject will cross. For example, the vehicle passes right in front of you, then determine the focal point where exactly the vehicle will pass in front of you. Focus the lens on that point, you can focus it right on the road / ground where the vehicle will pass later. This means that you can determine the exact moment you will press the shutter speed later.

#5 After everything is set as above, wait for the moment where the vehicle will pass. After you see which vehicle you are going to photograph, then from a distance you shoot the object. Using the view finder on your camera will make it easier for you to take panning pictures than taking them in live view lcd. Just as the vehicle passes in front of you press the shutter button and move your hands, eyes and head towards the oncoming vehicle.

#So the point is to take this panning picture your camera must continue to move in the direction of the subject of your photo at the same time you press the shutter speed.

That way you also get a panning photo with the effect of a moving vehicle. The focus point will not change because you have focused on a moving subject and recorded the moment of its movement as your hands, camera and head move.

Trying the panning technique when photographing a motorcycle race is a little difficult because we have to determine how fast the camera is and how fast we are in capturing the image. Sometimes the results are not very focused, like the photo above.

Getting panning photos is a bit difficult at first because you have to determine how fast the vehicle is going, then determine the focal point where the vehicle will go, then how fast the camera speed will be used and how fast you will move your camera. Everything must be in sync.

Otherwise, the result will be blurry, the object is out of focus, or the exposure is too bright or too dark, the hand movement is too fast, and so on. It takes more effort to get better panning photos.

The final word

How? Have you understood or not? If not, please just practice the tutorial above. Because with theory alone you will not understand.

Photos without using photographic panning techniques. The result will freeze like this.

By recording with the panning technique you can record the movement of something by actually showing that it is moving. It is possible that you too can become a photographer in the style of a moto GP photographer.

With this technique, it becomes your provision when you are watching a motorcycle or car racing event.

Hopefully this article is useful. 🙂

Share :