5D Mk IV – EF 70-200 f/2.8 L II – 1/30, f/14, ISO 100, Eval Meter

Today was a practice day in Panning Photography. This is not something I’ve ever really practiced, and I didn’t set out to do this today, but that’s what it evolved into. So what is panning? It’s a photographic technique that combines a slow shutter speed with camera motion to create a sense of speed around a moving object. It is a way to keep your subject in focus (mostly) while blurring your background. I threw on my 70-200mm lens and sat on the deck waiting for traffic on the roads. The lens actually has a stabilizer setting (mode 2) for objects moving horizontally. I can’t believe I’ve had this great lens for 10 years and just now used this setting.

In any case, today’s practice shots won’t make a Pulitzer Prize, but it was fun. I took over 200 shots. Obviously, this technique requires a lot of practice. The shots are more ‘artsy’, and you wouldn’t want to use this technique if you were trying to accurately document an event. It sure looks like this UPS driver was hauling ass though!