Assignment #3 - panning

[verikos]

Hi everyone
I'm just preparing to go out and attempt Assignment No.3 (Panning). I think I have a good idea of what to do but I wanted to ask your advice about AF mode first.

I am working with a Sony DSC H1 which has 3 different AF modes - single, monitor, and continuous. I've never actually changed this setting from 'single' mode but after reading the manual, I think I have to use 'continuous' (or 'monitor' - not sure)! Is this correct?

In addition to this, do I have to pick an imaginery point close to where the beginning of the 'pan' will happen, press the shutter button halfway to focus, wait for the subject, press the shutter then pan!!!!!!
:confused:

[ladyups]

Hummm...I can answer a one of your questions. The single, monitor, continuous. I'm not sure what the monitor is but the single is for taking single shots and auto focusing for each shot. Continuous would be like taking shots of your child riding a bike. You could put it on continuous and the camera would know that your subject is moving around. But, when you pan, you are basically, just auto focusing once so single would be all you need. And no, you wouldn't auto focus on an imaginary spot. You would focus on the subject you are going to pan and move with it as it moves. Such as a kid in a swing, or a vehicle..If you focused on a spot before the subject got there, your subject would be blurred and your background would be in focus.
Hope I explained it well enough for you to understand.

[coffee]

I would go to continuous AF. That's probably like AF servo mode on a Canon in that as you follow your subject, as long as you keep that AF point on the subject, it will focus where you have that spot pointed to just before the shot is taken. So as you pan the subject and take more than one shot, the camera will continue to hit focus while you are panning.

[verikos]

Thanks Joseph and Mary. I'll try that tomorrow. I'm not having much luck at the moment. I've taken a few pictures of my son running around the garden but not really happy with the result. Practice makes perfect.

BTW, do you think my camera (Sony DSC H1) is adequate for this course?

[ladyups]

I think your camera is more than adequate to take the course with.

[verikos]

These are my first attempts at 'panning' for Assgnment 3. I know they don't quite hit the mark, what am I doing wrong? Was my shutter speed to slow?

[coffee]

What was your shutter speed?

What I would try Denise, and to make your panning shot a little easier to start with, is find a moving object like a car, bicycle, motocycle, a child swinging, something like that that is moving, but moves consistanly without adisional moving parts like arms, legs and head. This way keeping focus on the subject is easier. I would start with a shutter speed of 1/60ish and go from there.

In the case of the shots above, Given the same settings and situation, I would move the camera closer to the boy so that the background pans faster than the boy causeing more background blur. Or you can have the boy just move closer to you so there is more distance between him and the background. Same effect. If the subject is too close to the background, the panning effect will be reduced.

[verikos]

Joseph - The shutter speed for the first photo was 1/60; the second 1/30. I think I'm going to start with a car. Thanks for your comments.

[dcampbell]

I've been stuck at this spot for too long to mention. Reading this thread has helped but the biggest issue is overcoming the fear of taking photos of traffic. I don't feel all that safe. :eek:

BTW, does the subject have to be a vehicle? If not, this will be easier. :D

I'm also stuck on the ghosting part of the assignment but that's a matter of being out at the right time of day.

thanks for the info
darlene

[coffee]

I've been stuck at this spot for too long to mention. Reading this thread has helped but the biggest issue is overcoming the fear of taking photos of traffic. I don't feel all that safe. :eek:

BTW, does the subject have to be a vehicle? If not, this will be easier. :D

I'm also stuck on the ghosting part of the assignment but that's a matter of being out at the right time of day.

thanks for the info
darlene

The subject can be anything you want. The reason vehicles are suggested is because they are big, and move predictably, meaning this gives you the best chance to get your panning feet wet. If it were me, I would make myself invisible if panning a moving car so they can see or hit you.

As far as the long shutter ghost, you can always just set up a tripod in a room in your house and walk in front of it yourself.

[CallMeNovice]

I saw some awesome pictures recently of a horse race and some of kids on a swingset (or bikes would work, too)... it doesn't have to be of cars or trucks.

[dcampbell]

Thanks Melanie! I should have asked sooner. I was stuck on the idea that it had to be a car or truck, etc.

[CallMeNovice]

Anything with movement will work (although faster seems to have a more dramatic effect). I tried to come up with something creative other than vehicles ... and then entered a tow truck for my assignment (so much for originality)LOL

A local track meet; or baseball/soccer game; monster truck meet; varsity basketball; - anything where there's movement (and, of course, you can stay safe!!)

[CallMeNovice]

The subject can be anything you want. The reason vehicles are suggested is because they are big, and move predictably, meaning this gives you the best chance to get your panning feet wet. If it were me, I would make myself invisible if panning a moving car so they can see or hit you.

As far as the long shutter ghost, you can always just set up a tripod in a room in your house and walk in front of it yourself.

Joseph,

LOL ... I'm hoping you meant "so they CAN'T see or hit you"; or is it "so they CAN see you and NOT hit you" !!

[coffee]

Joseph,

LOL ... I'm hoping you meant "so they CAN'T see or hit you"; or is it "so they CAN see you and NOT hit you" !!

Hehe. Yes, so they can't see or hit you, that was a typo. :) Certainly you aren't going to put yourself out there in harms way, but most people with cameras feel a little strange taking shots of cars with people in them that look at them strange when they pass. I would feel weired too. But if they can't see you, and most of the time your shot won't have a clear view of the people, then it's all good.

I always thought a great panning shot would be a child swinging in a swing.

[dcampbell]

Anything with movement will work (although faster seems to have a more dramatic effect). I tried to come up with something creative other than vehicles ... and then entered a tow truck for my assignment (so much for originality)LOL

A local track meet; or baseball/soccer game; monster truck meet; varsity basketball; - anything where there's movement (and, of course, you can stay safe!!)
Sounds creative to me! Anyway... getting the technicalities is what's key at this stage (assignment 3) IMO. :cool:

[dcampbell]

Hehe. Yes, so they can't see or hit you, that was a typo. :) Certainly you aren't going to put yourself out there in harms way, but most people with cameras feel a little strange taking shots of cars with people in them that look at them strange when they pass. I would feel weired too. But if they can't see you, and most of the time your shot won't have a clear view of the people, then it's all good.

I always thought a great panning shot would be a child swinging in a swing.
Yes! I thought of that! :) There's a park close to the house. I wonder if my husband would swing while I practice. :rolleyes:

darlene

[verikos]

Darlene
I'm sure your husband would swing if you asked him nicely!! I'm still stuck on this shot, not that I don't understand it, but that I haven't had time to go out and actually shoot. I live on a busy road so there is opportunity for me to take pictures, but as others have mentioned before, I feel a bit awkward. I would take the shots from my bedroom window but there's quite a lot of bushes obscuring my view. The child swinging in a swing would also be a good example. I was thinking about photographing an aeroplane, but it would have to be on the tarmac as I don't think the sky would be a good background for blur. Any other examples would be appreciated. Good luck with your swinging Darlene!

[dcampbell]

Darlene
I'm sure your husband would swing if you asked him nicely!! I'm still stuck on this shot, not that I don't understand it, but that I haven't had time to go out and actually shoot. I live on a busy road so there is opportunity for me to take pictures, but as others have mentioned before, I feel a bit awkward. I would take the shots from my bedroom window but there's quite a lot of bushes obscuring my view. The child swinging in a swing would also be a good example. I was thinking about photographing an aeroplane, but it would have to be on the tarmac as I don't think the sky would be a good background for blur. Any other examples would be appreciated. Good luck with your swinging Darlene!
He probably would! He's that nice. :D

I'm sorry that you are stuck, too. I guess in time we'll overcome the awkwardness. I don't like to have my photo taken so maybe that's why I feel like I'm invading someone's space. :o

Someone swing would be a good subject since it stays on the same path, is repetitive, and isn't going far. :rolleyes: Even an empty swing would work, at least for practice.

darlene

[jaydi]

I was also worried bout what I was going to do with the panning shot but what I did was drive to a Large and busy road, parked in layby and just kept taking pictures.

It was so funny coz all the drivers thought the camera lense sticking out the window was speed cop and slowed down. Hilarious:D

[dcampbell]

Jaydi -- That's funny and creative!

[verikos]

Second attempt at A3 and I think I've finally managed it. I'm only posting the first two photos - panning and blurred subject. I also did the 'ghosting' shot, but after looking at the pictures, I feel too embarrased because my living room looks a mess! A4 here I come!:p

[tkerbell]

So I have been thinking about what to do for my panning assignment. I live very close to the horse track and they run on Sunday's as well as in the evening. I was thinking an evening race would be ideal for the "ghost" effect and Sunday afternoon would be ideal for the "panning" and the "stop-action". Any thoughts? too overdone? Thanks!!

Janet

[coffee]

So I have been thinking about what to do for my panning assignment. I live very close to the horse track and they run on Sunday's as well as in the evening. I was thinking an evening race would be ideal for the "ghost" effect and Sunday afternoon would be ideal for the "panning" and the "stop-action". Any thoughts? too overdone? Thanks!!

Janet

That would be a great venue for those assignments. I wouldn't worry too much about whether a subject is overdone for an assignment. Assignments are to see if you understand the lesson and are able to apply it. Originality might be a plus, but I dont think it would have an effect on the grade. However, previous assignments that you may have already completed might come into play. I can't remember off hand what the previous ones are, it's been a while, but let's say you have already been through the "proper exposure" assignment, and you turned in a great panning assignment that is badly underexposed. THAT my have an impact on your grade. So just make sure you complete the lesson at hand, and get the image as technically correct as possible. That's at least how I approached it.

[tkerbell]

Thank you for your input Joseph. I don't think we actually turn in this assignment, the next one regarding Apeture Priority is the next graded assignment.

[coffee]

Thank you for your input Joseph. I don't think we actually turn in this assignment, the next one regarding Apeture Priority is the next graded assignment.

I see, yes I remember that now. I can think of a few unique ideas for panning, like a child on a swing, maybe waving to someone, Perhaps jumping in front of a interesting background, perhaps a local bike race, a carnival at night would be a great one. Good luck and post when you have something.

[tkerbell]

ARGHHHH - a carnival at night!! What a great idea..I love it!! I wish I had done the assignment when I was in Busch Gardens over July 4th weekend....One of the reasons I made the choice of OPP was the self-paced format. I may put the assignment on hold until we hit Myrtle Beach in August, although I hate to put it off too long...maybe I can combine both assignemts - thoughts/advice??

[coffee]

Well, since this assignment is really only home work, you can do it anytime you wish. To keep the structure of the course in tact, I would do some shots for that assignment, get the results you are aiming for, then move on. That way you will have a base of knowledge for when you go in August.

[Pat]

It was so funny coz all the drivers thought the camera lense sticking out the window was speed cop and slowed down. Hilarious:D
Hmm. Rather defeats the purpose doesn't it? :)

Don't think I'd be photographing people driving by. Never know who might object. I'd look for trains or or you could do it the easy way; sit on the inside of a merry-go-round and take pics of your child with the background streaking by.
I must say your son certainly seems to be co-operative. Put quite an effort into it. With just a slight enhancement that seems to have brought out some heretofore hidden elements in the composition of one of your pics, he appears to be going a streak. Good effort.

ahem;)

[verikos]

Pat - I believe this is my son!! He was, the last time I looked!!! Can't wait to show him your edit tomorrow, he'll love it - now he really is one of the 'fantastic four'!!

[Pat]

Thought he might. My boys enjoyed that sort of thing 'til they got all big and :cool: .
(Actually, they still do, but it's a secret.)

[elisha]

Thanks for starting this thread verikos, i've been stuck with this assignment as well (with all the things happening-got married,back to work,got pregnant,lived in the bathroom for morning sickness for almost 4 months!!! :)Now, i'm glad i'll be able to post some sample photo i did.
I hope i did them right i felt that the subject was also a lil' blurred,was it because of my hand shaking???
Your critique/opinion will help a lot & is appreciated :)
Thanks in advance:)

Elisha:D