Steps To Create A Nice Panning Shot

If you are new to photography, have you ever wonder how to create a shot where the moving subject is in focus while the background is blurred? Have you ever envy photographers who can produce such images?

This technique is commonly known as Panning and can be achieved easily with sufficient practices. A SLR camera is preferred for panning shots due to its ability to achieve fast response. DSLR is taking up the consumer share quickly with its price being highly competitive as well. DSLR being digital in nature, is very welcomed nowadays especially when people are getting more IT savvy. Images can be downloaded into computers which make adjustment easier as compared to the past. And not to forget, films which is now replaced by memory cards for DSLR makes photography relatively cheaper!

Panning technique is commonly used in sports like motorbike racing, treking, cycling and many more. This technique allow the photographs to tell a story to the viewers. Viewers can easily acknowledge that the subject of interest is in motion and thus making the photograph more attractive and complete, as compared to a freeze moment due to the result of fast shutter speed.

To create a panning shot, you would need a subject of interest, like most photography criteria. This subject preferably should be moving across your camera from left to right or vice versa. Panning shots will be quite impossible if the subject of interest is moving towards or away fromyour camera.

The background is advised to be vivid so as to make the photograph more enchanting when blurred.

The following are the settings for your camera and the steps for Panning shots:

Step 1: Set your camera to Shutter Priority mode,

Step 2: Set your shutter speed with its denominator value smaller then your lens focal length. I will suggest to set the shutter speed to 1/15 sec. With this setting, you are deliberately achieving “camera shake” which is your main motive in panning shots,

Step 3: Set your camera to “Continuous Shoot” mode. This will allow you to get a few shots at one time so as to achieve higher “probability of hit”.

Step 4: Set your camera to “AF-C” mode,

Step 5: As the main subject is moving across your camera, quickly focus on the subject and shoot. As your camera is set to “Continuous Shoot” mode, hold on to your shutter while moving your camera along with your main subject, making sure that the main subject is always in the middle of your viewfinder.

There you go! You have just utilized the technique of panning. Panning needs tremendous practice and you will be considered lucky if you are able to get 5 good shots out of 30 tries. Remember the good old days where SLR cameras are using film? Imagine how much money you will have to spend on films to get at least 10 great panning shots! Thus we are considered much lucky now as SLR cameras go digital.

You can further improve the photographs by doing some adjustment in Photoshop or other photo editing software. You may choose to perform some cropping of the photographs such that the main subject is placed at the golden rule for photography, the “Rule of Thirds”. With this, the photographs are able to tell the viewer the whole story and thus making the photographs more enchanting and eye catching!

Remember, you need a lot of practice for panning shots and do not be discouraged if you failed for the first few times. With enough practice, I am sure you can achieve what you longed for!

Author:
Yong Sak is a Singapore Photographer that has an enchanting and informative online photography portal that consists of a lot of useful Beginners Photography tips. You can also view a great collection of Chin Yong Sak Photographs in his personal photo gallery.

Terms: Articles may be reprinted provided content is not edited and links are kept live

Source: www.articledepot.co.uk

A Polarizing Filter

There are many different types of filters available which serve different objectives aimed to enhance the effect of the photographs. There is a particular filter that you must have in your camera kit, and that is the polarizing filter.

Have you ever wonder how do some of the photographs from postcards, travel images are able to project a very nice enchanting blue sky? How did the photographers cut down the reflections on the subjects? The solution to this lies in the use of a polarizing filter.

With the polarizing filter, you are able to cut down on the reflections and generally produce a more saturated image which creates a special touch to your photographs. Although this effect can be easily created by using some photo editing software, it is still worth the effort getting a polarizing filter for a quick and instant effect.

The polarizing filter can be attached easily to the front of your lens by screwing it in (in most cases). There is another ring (normally the outer ring of the filter) where you can rotate 360 degree. Look through the viewfinder while rotating the ring and you will be able to realize the change in effect the filter created.

You can do a simple experiment with the filter and camera. With the filter attached, point your camera to the blue sky. Look through the viewfinder and observe carefully at the blue sky as you rotate the outer ring. You will notice that the blue sky getting darker and darker as you rotate the ring, the color of sky gets lighter and even back to the original color.

Generally, the effect of the polarizing filter will be maximize when the sun is 90 angle to your subject. The filter will have minimal or no effect when the sun is directly behind your main subject. With this example, I hope that you will be able to appreciate the relationship between the polarizing effects with respect to the sun position and to your target subject.

Polarizing filter can be used when shooting clear and still water during day time as well. It can help by cutting down the reflections and you are able to see into the water. The same illustration can be applied to shooting reflective surface. For example leaves and foliage to achieve a nice saturated color.

Despite this filter is able to produce a more saturated effect on your image, do be careful not to over-do it. This will result in your photographs having unnatural color, which is not too appealing to landscape photographer (unless you want the effect purposely). Generally, what majority of the photographers do is they will rotate the ring of the filter to accomplish maximum effect, and which that, they go back slightly by a few degrees to gain the best effect.

There are mainly 2 types of polarizing filter known as liner and circular. As technology advance, most SLR today are digital in nature with auto-focus ability. Thus a circular polarizer is commonly used for cameras that has a through-the-lens metering system and/or auto-focus.

Hopefully with the explanations above, you are able to appreciate the use and the importance of having a polarizing filter. There is a old saying, “Practice Make Perfect”. Do attempt more outdoor shots and appreciate the use of a polarizing filter and you will be able to utilize this skill set naturally.

Author:
Yong Sak is a Singapore Freelance Photographer who owns a Photography Portal, sharing Beginners Photography Tips for those who are new and keen in photography. Please view his portfolio in Chin Yong Sak Gallery, where he showcase his works for sharing and comments.

Terms: Articles may be reprinted provided content is not edited and links are kept live

Source: www.articledepot.co.uk