Fast Moving Subject? Try Panning

At some time or other, we all will try to photograph something that is just not standing still. If you take a shot of something moving really fast, there is a possibility that your image will come out blurred. The reason this happens is that the camera shutter speed  is not set fast enough to "freeze" the subject. Its not a problem if you are photgraphing a small child running because they usually don't move fast enough to cause blurring while the shutter is open. However, if you are photographing something like a car race or fast sporting event, you need to use a very fast shutter speed to "freeze" the action. (see example 1)
Sometimes subject blur in the image is acceptable. It will actually convey the sense of speed. Thats ok if you don't need a sharp image of the subject. (see example 2) Notice the background is sharp although the subject is blurred.
But there is another way to convey the sense of speed and get a relatively sharp subject image. It is called panning. It is a tried and true method that has been around for years. Here is what you do to pan. Frame the subject in your view finder as it is moving. The direction can be either left to right or right to left. (even up and down). Angle your body towards the subject and move the camera along with your body in the same direction that the subject is moving. Snap the picture while you and the subject are still moving. (shutter speeds of 1/60 to 1/125 are good for this method). The result will be a subject that is pretty much in focus and a background that is blurred due to the cmaera movement. This really emphasizes movement in the image. (See example 3)
It will take a little practice to pan in the beginning, but once you get it, you will have another tool in you photo skills arsenal.

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