How Do I Get a “Panning” Effect?

An easy and often exciting way in still pictures to convey speed and motion with a moving subject is a technique called “panning.” This usually creates a deliberate blurred, streaky background — suggesting speed — while the actual subject remains relatively sharp. But simply pointing your camera at a moving subject and pressing the shutter button, especially in sunlight, often gives you a totally sharp picture, where it might appear as though the subject isn’t really moving. We’ll show you how you can achieve this in many situations, using a few controls on a Canon mirrorless or digital SLR camera.

The first is your camera needs to be at a slower shutter speed than you’d normally use for ordinary, sharp daylight pictures. There are numerous ways to achieve this, from totally automated “panning mode” on some camera models, to using full manual control and intentionally setting a slow shutter speed. For this article, we’ll avoid going fully manual, and show you simpler ways your camera can achieve this.

The other primary key is being able to smoothly follow the moving subject, steadily moving your camera in its direction. Your hands, arms and even face and head move to keep the subject in the same relative position in your finder as it passes by. This smooth camera movement is where the term “panning” comes from, and it’s the key to keeping the actual subject fairly sharp and distinct as you photograph it.

Don’t fret if the first few times you try this, it’s difficult to get totally smooth camera movement. It can take some practice, but most users will find in short order that they can get the looks they want.

If you use a fully automatic Panning Mode in your camera (if your camera has one… not all Canon EOS camera models do), you can probably skip past this. The camera will automatically choose a suitable shutter speed most of the time, if you switch into Panning Mode.

Shutter speeds, simply stated, are the length of time — normally in small fractions of a second — that the camera actually records an image. There are general rules of thumb that photographers will fall back on, relating to suitable shutter speeds for different subjects. Remember, when photographers speak of “faster” shutter speeds, they mean the actual time the image is recorded is progressively shorter (such as ½ second vs. one full second). The opposite is true for the term “slower” shutter speeds.

Here are a few very brief examples:

Whether you use your camera’s eye-level viewfinder (EVF), or the rear LCD screen, you can display the camera’s current settings, and see the shutter speed your camera is about to use.  If you don’t see any information, press the INFO button on the rear of the camera — each press toggles you through different levels of displayed information.  Shutter speed is normally the first of the numeric displays you’ll see, when the info is visible.  The camera will always show you what it’s about to do, whether you set the shutter speed yourself, or the camera automatically selects it.  Keep in mind that in the latter case, the displayed speed will always update as lighting in the scene changes.

Again, not all cameras have this. For Canon EOS models that do, it’s usually in one of two places. Most often, it’s one of the available Special Scene (“SCN”) modes — set the camera’s Mode Dial to “SCN,” and usually a listing of customized, scene-related modes will appear on the LCD screen. If it doesn’t appear immediately, tap the little icon on the far upper-left corner of the LCD screen, when in SCN mode.

Panning Mode is usually indicated by a little icon with straight lines, suggesting the panning movement. Choose this, and be sure on some cameras to then press the SET button, on the back of the camera, to lock your choice in.

On other EOS Models (some EOS Rebel versions, for instance), this Panning Mode icon may be on the actual Mode Dial, on top of the camera. If you see it there, turn the dial to that setting, and you’re now good to go.

The Panning Mode is going to automatically set a somewhat slower shutter speed any time it’s not excessively bright in the scene, to allow you to now follow a moving subject, and get the deliberately blurred look to backgrounds and sometimes other parts of the scene. Steadily follow your intended moving subject, and you’ll be on your way.

For all Canon EOS cameras, there will also be an exposure/shooting mode labeled “Tv.” No, this has nothing to do with television. It’s shorthand for “Time Value,” meaning that the photographer selects the “time” or shutter speed, and once it’s set, it remains there (it can always be re-set by the photographer). Photographers typically call this Shutter Priority mode. The camera is still automatic in exposure… it now automatically adjusts the lens apertures to match the light level, which are the 2nd set of numbers displayed in your viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

Turn the top Main Dial, above the shutter button, to change shutter speeds when in Tv mode. You’ll immediately see your choice in the viewfinder, or on the rear LCD screen. The automatically-chosen lens aperture, displayed below the image as “F…,” is shown any time the camera’s light meter is active.

If this digital display of F-number blinks on and off, like a car’s turn indicator, it means the chosen speed is likely too slow, and you’ll get an over-exposed picture. Try dialing-in another shutter speed, until it stops blinking on and off.

The million dollar question: what shutter speed should be set for panning? There is no one answer. Factors that users consider include how fast the subject is moving across the frame — a walking pace would be totally different from a race car — as well as whether it’s extremely bright or dimly lit, whether you’re using a wide or telephoto lens, and so on.

In general, if you’re getting started with panned pictures, don’t try to go too slow on shutter speeds. Here are a few general possible starting points:

• Walking speed subjects: 1/8 to 1/15^th second
• Slow-moving vehicle (car in a parade, bicycle, etc.): 1/15^th to 1/30^th second
• Cars, motorcycles, at typical street speeds: 1/30^th to 1/60^th second
• Fast-moving cars and vehicles: 1/125^th second

These are just starting points, not hard-and-fast rules. Try a few, check them on your LCD screen, and adjust from there. Just keep in mind: the slower your shutter speeds are with moving subjects, especially fast-moving ones, the harder it usually is to have them appear sharp and distinct in the finished picture. The slower your shutter speed, however, the more of a panned effect you’ll see in the background.

This is a fun and easy way to experiment with different visual possibilities in your still images. It will take some practice to smoothly follow a moving subject, so don’t be disappointed if at first, the results aren’t perfect. One cool thing about digital imaging is that unlike with film, it doesn’t cost you money to practice! Keep experimenting, and finding new ways to use your camera’s features.