Panning for that speedy look

Panning is a technique you can use to create a blurred background – depicting movement – while keeping your subject sharp. This works for a moving car, person, animal or other object. Here’s how to go about it:

• Pre-focus on a spot directly in front of you where your subject will be when you start the exposure. You could have someone stand there, or place an object there, so your camera can focus on that spot.
• Stand firmly with the camera to your eye and twist the upper part of your body slightly in the direction from which the subject will come.
• Begin following the subject as soon as it appears in your camera’s viewfinder.
• When the subject reaches the spot you focused on, trip the shutter and continue following the subject in one smooth movement.
• The background should be of uneven tones and the path of motion should be as parallel as possible.
• Use the slowest possible shutter speed at the highest possible f-stop. A shutter speed around 1/15 to 1/30 of a second may work best.

Try some shots of a jogger, a cyclist and a car. Which turned out best?