Ever seen a photo where the subject is razor-sharp, but the background blurs into beautiful motion? That’s not Photoshop magic, it’s the power of Panning Shot.
Like many photographers, I used to think these kinds of images were only possible through post-processing.
But in reality, it’s a creative in-camera technique that combines the right shutter speed, motion, and timing to freeze a moving subject while adding a smooth blur to the background.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about panning shots — from what they are, to how to shoot them, and which mistakes to avoid.
I’ve also included a list of top editing apps to help you enhance your shots like a pro.
Whether you’re photographing cyclists on the street or birds in flight, mastering the panning technique can dramatically elevate your action photography game.
Ready to learn the art of capturing motion with style? Let’s dive in.
What Is a Panning Shot in Photography
As I mentioned in the begining, Panning shot is a way to capture a subject where subject is still and sharp in frame but the background remains in motion.
Many photographer also called this type of photography as motion blur photography.
To capture this shorts of images, you need to move your camera in sync with the moving subject, using a slower shutter speed.
This combination captures some good panning shots.
and gives output where your subject remain sharp and clear with blurry or moving background.
💡 Pro Tip from Photographer Scott Kelby:
“To capture motion in a still photo, pan with the subject and use a slower shutter speed. It’s part timing, part technique — and a lot of trial and error.”
So, if you want to practice panning shots, follow this real-life example to capture some great motion blur images.
Imagine you’re out on the street doing some street photography, and a vehicle passes by.
Simply set a low shutter speed on your camera, use a wide aperture, and adjust the ISO based on the lighting conditions.
Then, as your subject moves, pan your camera smoothly from left to right (or right to left), following the direction of the subject with a steady hand.
You can always tweak your camera settings depending on how fast your subject is moving.
The key is to match your camera’s movement with the speed of your subject to keep them in focus while the background blurs beautifully.
And that’s it! That’s how you capture a clean and impactful panning shot.
When Should You Use a Panning Shot?
The short answer is, whenever your subject is in motion, you can use a panning shot to create dynamic and eye-catching images.
Panning works especially well in photography types like:
- Sports Photography
- Street Photography
- Wildlife/Birds in Flight
- Racing Events
With proper technique, you can even use panning to tell a visual story through motion blur, adding emotion, drama, and depth to your shots.
Best Camera Settings for Panning Photography
To capture motion blur, you only need the essential camera settings—nothing too fancy.
The most important setting is shutter speed. Start with a shutter speed between 1/30s to 1/125s.
There’s no exact number you must stick to, but this range usually gives you a sharp subject with a nicely blurred background.
Keep in mind: distance, lens type, and subject speed all affect the result—so you’ll need to adjust accordingly.
The other two key settings are ISO and aperture:
- Set your aperture between f/6 to f/10 to keep more elements in focus.
- Adjust your ISO based on lighting conditions so your subject remains visible without overexposing the shot.
As for camera modes, use either Shutter Priority (S or TV mode) or Manual Mode.
I recommend Shutter Priority, as it’s easier to handle when you’re frequently adjusting shutter speed based on motion.
Make sure your camera is set to Autofocus with Continuous/Servo AF mode.
This keeps the focus locked on your moving subject—manually focusing during motion blur shots is very difficult (and often not practical).
Enable burst mode, so you can shoot multiple frames in one go. Since not every shot will come out perfect, you’ll have more options to choose from after your session.
Lastly, if your hands aren’t steady enough, use a tripod or stabilize your camera on a fixed surface to reduce camera shake and improve your chances of getting clean shots.
Pro Tips to Master Panning Photography
When I started learning panning photography, there was only one tip that truly helped me improve and that was: practice.
Practice more than enough to get better at understanding your subject’s movement, speed, and how to adjust your camera settings accordingly for motion blur.
Make sure your hands are steady, and you’re pivoting smoothly from your hips as you follow your subject.
Always stay parallel to your subject’s path, and try using a longer focal length to add more drama and compression to your images.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While capturing panning shots
Many photographers start using fast or slow shutter speeds without fully understanding the speed of their subject.
But this is actually the most important and first thing you need to consider when capturing panning shots.
Another common mistake I’ve seen is not using proper lighting or lacking an understanding of natural light.
Because of this, many photographers increase the ISO, which often leads to white noise in the final image.
And that can completely ruin the shot. So, having a good understanding of light is crucial before you begin your shoot.
Tools & Apps to Edit Panning Shots
Currently, there’s no dedicated tool in the market built specifically to edit panning shots from start to finish.
However, if you’re looking to convert a static image into a motion-blurred one, tools like Adobe Photoshop or even Picsart can help you create a similar effect with some manual editing.
For those interested in exploring further, I’ve put together a detailed guide, Best Panning Shot Editors to Try covering free and paid apps that offer motion blur features and creative tools to enhance your panning-style photos.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced editor, that list will give you a head start.
Examples of Great Panning Photography
Sharing some of my favourite Panning shots from the internet…
All these images are taken from unsplash.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we discussed the definition of a panning shot along with how to capture it using the right camera settings.
To sum it up: a panning shot is all about the right mix of patience and practice.
You’ll need to try multiple times to get that perfect combination of a sharp subject with a beautifully blurred background.
I know it’s not easy—but with enough practice and a basic understanding of shutter speed, ISO, and aperture, you’ll be unstoppable.
If you’re looking to try something unique or want to explore a new genre of photography, panning shots are a great place to start.
It takes some understanding of your subject’s movement and how your camera responds, but the results are totally worth it.
So don’t forget to try this technique on your next photo walk or street shoot!
If you found this article helpful then don’t forget to read our next article on Best Panning shot Editors and In-detailed guide to capture & edit panning shots like a pro.
Feel free to share it with your friend, Have a good day 🙂
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