The technique is very simple in theory, but takes some practice to perfect.
Here is how it works, you set your camera to a relatively low shutter speed. Say 1/80 or 1/40 of a second. Next you find a subject that is moving from one side of the frame to the other. Here comes the tricky part. While keeping the subject in a fixed part of the frame (and you do that by panning the lens from side to side) click the shutter.
If you did every thing correctly, you’ll end up with a sharp subject and blurred background. This technique takes a lot of practice with the following focus:
- Finding the exact correct moment to click the shutter is not always trivial.
- You’ll need to avoid any vertical movement – this will create blur in the subject as well.
- You’ll have to be in precise sync with the moving speed of your subject, to keep it sharp while blurring the background.
This is why DIYP labs developed several techniques to get panning pictures without ever moving your camera.