Exercise 5. Panning with different shutter speeds.

The aim of this exercise was to:-

• Use my camera and photograph in the panning mode with no tripod.
• Follow an object moving continuously in front of me. Vary the shutter speeds.
• Compare results, of the differing shutter speeds, look at the different effects.
• Select the image I consider to be the best.

Oman is the ideal location to photograph speeding or moving vehicles as there is a very big problem here with speeding and reckless driving.  I came to realise whilst attempting this that I could add to the dangers on the roads here as people slowed down to see what I was doing and some even stopped as before when photographing movement.  

On a morning that I decided to photograph a mosque outside town, I was able to capture a couple of cars and an Indian on a bike by making out that I was far more interested in the mosque..generally it is in there nature to be inquisitive...this can be wonderful  but sometimes a hindrance.

I found the panning technique to be very difficult, having tried several times to capture good images. We are told it comes easy to some...not me, but I will persevere and try again to create better photographs that show speed and motion in them.  Reading and watching u -tube videos enlightened me a little, and what I gleaned from this was:-

• Set the camera to Shutter Priority
• Use a slow shutter speed.
• If nothing looks blurry slow down shutter speed further
• Set camera to auto focus mode, Al servo mode
• Centre - auto focus mode.
• Shoot when the subject is directly in front of me.
• Set camera to continuous drive mode.

Fig 1    1/80 sec    f/11.0

I caught this seagull, coming towards me and followed it from above in the panning mode, the wings of the bird are showing signs of motion as they are blurred and the background which was rocks on the beach are unrecognisable, almost streaked. 

                                       

Fig.2    1/25sec    f/22.0

The background is blurred, and the wheel trims of the car also. 

Fig.3    1/30sec    f/18.0

There is more effect of motion here, the background gives a sense of moving through the photograph

                               .

Fig.4   1/40sec    f/18.0

There is motion and movement in the wheels of this bike, and the mosque is very slightly blurred.  This cyclist was travelling very slowly and was very aware that I was photographing him, I felt slightly uncomfortable, as I am sure he did too. 

Fig 5     1/80sec     f/13

The blur in the background of this photograph shows that the car is moving through the scene, along with the blur on the hub caps of the car

Fig 6    1/20sec     f/20.0

Because the background was too far away in the distance the motion blur cannot be seen, but the car does give the effect of moving through the picture because his wheels are totally blurred through movement.

What I learnt from this exercise

• I found this very difficult and have a large selection of photographs with half the vehicle missing due to me misjudging speeds, or there being little or no motion seen as the drivers slow down to wave or throw down their mobile phones.
• If I had not had set my camera to continuous drive mode or CU on the D7000, I would have failed miserably at this.. 
• When the subject is towards the edge of the frame it gives a sense of movement through the picture, as in Figure 6.

Out of these 6 images, the first image of the seagull is the photograph I prefer, to me the blur of the beach, water and rocks creates a watercolour effect which I admire, and I also consider the motion in the birds wings to be pleasing to my eye.