Panning for Action Shots

A fast shutter speed requires a lot of light, so if the sun is setting quickly, drop the shutter speed way down (start at 1/60 and work from there) to do some panning, which is simply using a slow shutter and following a horizontally moving subject with your camera.

The effect is neat, because the parts of you image that are flashing by quickly (background, horse's legs) become a big blur, but the sections that are moving with your camera and somewhat still, like the body, will turn out sharp.

It takes some practice, but it's very effective once you polish the skill. Nothing says speed or action like a panning shot!







These were done in a friend's indoor back in Illinois on a bitterly cold day. Just having fun, but I think these turned out cool! Kinda ghostly if you ask me... Very slow shutter speeds.