When it comes to capturing motion in photography, panning is a technique that can produce stunning results. By moving your camera along with a moving subject, you can create a picture that has a sharp subject and a blurred background, giving a sense of movement and speed. However, achieving the perfect panning shot requires the right camera settings. In this article, I’ll share my knowledge of camera settings for panning photography that will help you take your pictures to the next level.

Starting out in photography, it's easy to get overwhelmed with all the different camera settings available when it comes to capturing motion in your pictures. But don't worry, it's not as complicated as it seems! While there isn't one specific setting that will work every time you attempt panning photography, you can follow my simple guidelines to make the process easier and more intuitive.

First things first, shooting in Raw format will give you the most flexibility when it comes to editing your pictures later on. Next, make sure you choose the right shooting mode on your camera to give you the best chance of capturing a picture you’re proud of. Whilst I tend to always shoot using the Single Point AF mode, AI Servo is widely regarded as a good mode to use when panning. 

Let’s start by looking at one of my panning pictures, and then I’ll show you the setting I used to create it. 

Camera setting used to capture this photo 

Shutter Speed: 1/8th 

Aperture: f/4

ISO: 100

Auto Setting: Manual

Format: RAW

White Balance: Auto

Metering Mode: Spot Metering

Focus Mode: Single Point AF

Capture Mode: High-speed Continuous

What is the best Shutter Speed Setting for Panning Photography?

The most important setting for panning photography is the shutter speed. It determines how long the camera's sensor is exposed to light, which affects how much motion blur you'll get in your picture. A slower shutter speed will produce more motion blur, while a faster shutter speed will freeze the subject and produce less motion blur.

It's important to keep in mind that the ideal shutter speed will depend on the speed of the subject you're panning. For example, if you're panning a fast-moving car, you'll need a faster shutter speed than if you're panning a slow-moving cyclist. Experiment with different shutter speeds to find the right one for your subject. Different factors like the speed of the subject, the distance from the subject and the focal length of the lens will affect the result you want to achieve. 

Generally, a slower shutter speed is recommended for panning photography to capture the motion blur of the subject while keeping the background sharp. A good starting point is to use a shutter speed of around 1/30 of a second. However, if the subject is moving faster, you may need to increase the shutter speed to freeze the motion, or if the subject is slower, you may need to decrease the shutter speed to create more blur.

With this picture, because it was a bright morning and because I was shooting with a slow shutter speed it meant that too much light was coming into the camera so I had to adjust the Aperture setting and the ISO setting to get the right exposure. My image goal was obviously to have motion blur in my picture so Shutter Speed was my priority. That setting had to be the first thing I considered before anything else. Once I’d made the decision about the shutter speed I could then make a decision about ISO and Aperture settings. 

What is the best Aperture Setting?

Aperture is an important setting for panning photography because it determines the depth of field or how much of your picture will appear in focus. A wider aperture (lower f-stop number) will create more background blur, which can help separate the subject from the background and create a more dramatic effect.

However, a wider aperture also means more light will hit the camera's sensor, which can result in an overexposed picture. Typically for panning photography I will increase the Aperture and lower the ISO once I’ve decided on my shutter speed setting. 

I'll take a deeper look at camera settings in my Perfect Picture Program to help you capture perfect pictures consistently but hopefully this is giving you an insight into the settings to choose for panning photography. 

ISO

ISO is a measure of the camera's sensitivity to light. A higher ISO setting will allow you to use a faster shutter speed or narrower aperture in low-light conditions, but it can also introduce digital noise or grain to your pictures.

For panning photography, it's best to use the lowest ISO possible to avoid noise and get the cleanest picture possible. If you're shooting in low-light conditions and need to increase the ISO, try to keep it below 800 to minimize noise.

Focus

To get a sharp subject in your panning shot, it's important to use the right focus mode. Continuous autofocus (AF-C) mode is ideal for panning, as it will adjust the focus as the subject moves across the frame.

It's also important to choose the right focus point. Use the single-point autofocus (AF-S) mode to select a specific focus point that corresponds to the subject's location in the frame. This will ensure that the subject stays in focus as you pan.

White Balance

White balance is a setting that affects the colour temperature of your pictures. Different lighting conditions can result in different colour casts, so it's important to adjust the white balance accordingly.

For panning photography, it's best to use the auto white balance (AWB) setting, as it will adjust the white balance based on the lighting conditions in real time. If you're shooting in a specific lighting condition (such as indoors or under fluorescent lights), you may need to adjust the white balance manually.

The importance of Shooting RAW

Simply put if you want the best picture quality possible shoot in RAW. 

RAW files contain more information than Jpeg files, which means you have more data to work with when you’re editing your pictures. RAW files capture all the details of a picture, including colour, brightness and contrast, allowing you to make adjustments to these elements during the editing process without sacrificing picture quality. 

One of the best tips I can give you is to set your camera to capture RAW files and never change it because Jpeg files limit the control you have over the pictures in post-processing. 

RAW files give you greater control over colour balance and they allow you to change the white balance of your pictures after the fact, something that’s not possible with Jpeg files. 

Shooting in RAW is important because it gives you more creative control over your pictures during post-processing. While RAW files do take up more storage space and require more processing power, the benefits of shooting RAW far outweigh the drawbacks. 

The Technique of Panning

Capturing motion in your photos is a great way to add interest and dynamic energy to your pictures. Panning photography is a technique that can help you achieve this effect. In panning photography, you follow the motion of your subject with your camera while using a slow shutter speed, resulting in a sharp subject and a blurred background.

To get started with panning photography, first, choose a subject that is moving horizontally, such as a car, train or cyclist. Next, select a shutter speed that is slow enough to capture the motion blur but not too slow that your subject becomes too blurry. A good starting point is 1/30th of a second, but you may need to adjust this depending on your subject's speed and the light conditions.

As your subject approaches, begin to track it with your camera while keeping it in the same position in your viewfinder. This is where the technique gets its name – you are essentially "panning" your camera along with the subject. As you do this, press the shutter button and continue to pan with the subject for a split second after you take the photo.

Experiment with your shutter speed and panning technique to achieve the desired amount of motion blur. You can also try different angles and positions to create unique and dynamic compositions.

Use Single Point Autofocus for Accuracy

Have you ever captured a picture only to realise that your camera focused in the wrong place? It’s frustrating, right? The secret to ensuring that your camera focuses on the right spot is by using single-point or expanded-point autofocus. By using these autofocus settings, you get to choose the exact area you want to focus on, giving you complete control over the final result. Single-point autofocus is perfect for still subjects whereas flexible-point autofocus is ideal for when your subject is moving. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, having the ability to select the right focus point is essential for capturing perfect pictures. So next time you’re out shooting, make sure to experiment with single-point and expand-point autofocus to elevate your photography skills.  

Choosing the right lens.

Lens choice is an important decision in any form of photography but especially so with panning. The type of lens you choose can have a significant impact on the final result. 

Typically a telephoto lens with a wide aperture tends to be the best choice for panning photography because it allows you to zoom in on your subject from a distance and create a blurred background. This helps you create a sense of motion and separation between your subject and the background. 

Wide-angle lenses tend to produce a different effect and they can be just as effective when used in Panning Photography. Wide-angle lenses have a greater depth of field and can capture a large scene but they might not be as effective at isolating your subject from the background so what you choose to use will depend on the effect you want to achieve and the specific shooting conditions you’re working with. 

I normally shoot my panning shots with a 24-105mm lens which I tend to find is a good choice of lens for this type of photography. This lens tends to capture the pictures I want so I feel comfortable using it but the lens you choose will depend on your specific situation and image goals. 

A 24-105mm lens is a versatile zoom lens that can cover a wide range of focal lengths. The lens typically has a relatively wide aperture, which can help to create a shallow depth of field or blurred background and this helps to separate the subject from the background. 

However, when it comes to panning photography, the ideal lens choice may depend on the specific subject you’re photographing and the speed at which it’s moving. For example, if you’re photographing fast-moving subjects like race cars or birds in flight, you may need a longer telephoto lens with a wider aperture to achieve the desired effect of motion blur while keeping the subject in focus. 

On the other hand, if you’re panning with a slower-moving subject or capturing a wider scene, a 24-105mm lens can be a good choice. The lens’s versatile focal length range allows you to zoom in or out as needed while still maintaining a relatively wide aperture to create a blurred background. 

Overall the 24-105mm lens is a good choice for panning photography in certain situations, but it may not be the best option for all scenarios. As with any type of photography, the key is to experiment with different lenses and settings to find out what works best for your specific needs and image goals. 

The Role Spot Metering plays in Panning Photography

Spot metering mode can be important for panning photography because it allows the camera to meter the exposure based on a specific spot in the frame rather than the overall scene. 

With panning photography, the goal is often to capture a subject in motion while keeping the background blurred, creating a sense of speed and movement.

Spot metering helps achieve this by ensuring that the subject is properly exposed while the background remains darker, which can enhance the effect of motion blur. By metering on the subject rather than the entire scene, the camera can adjust the exposure settings to capture the subject accurately without overexposing the background.

It's worth noting though that the effectiveness of spot metering for panning photography can depend on the lighting conditions and the specific camera settings being used. It's always important to experiment with different techniques and settings to find what works best for a particular situation.

Final Thoughts

Remember that panning photography takes practice, so don't be discouraged if your first few attempts don't turn out as expected. Keep experimenting and refining your technique, and you'll soon be capturing stunning pictures with motion.

Panning photography is a challenging but rewarding technique that can produce stunning pictures. By using the right camera settings, you can create pictures that capture the sense of motion and speed in a dynamic way. Remember to experiment with different settings and adjust them based on the subject and lighting conditions. Panning photography is a fun and creative technique that can help you capture the beauty of motion in your pictures. With the right equipment and a bit of practice, you can add a unique and dynamic element to your photography. So grab your camera, find a moving subject, and start panning!

With practice, you'll be able to master the art of panning photography and create pictures that stand out and amaze anyone viewing them. 

If you want to take your photography skills to the next level, check out the Perfect Picture Program. In it, you’ll learn all about my SIMPLE system, which will help you start taking great pictures immediately with the camera you already own.