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Digital Sports Photography

Capture Motion By Panning

SUMMARY: Effective use of panning can capture the motion in a sporting event.

One technique you can use to showcase the motion of athletes during a sporting effect is panning. Slow the shutter speed to a quarter of a second or longer and try following an athlete as they perform their motions or routine. This can be very difficult to perform; you must hold the camera very steady while panning, yet accurately follow the actions of the athlete. However, when done right, you can produce a photo with a nice effect of seeing the athlete's face in focus yet have the background slightly blurred.

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