Vertical panning is a fun way to add a little creativity to your nature photography. It’s really pretty simple and fun because no two images will turn out exactly the same. Similar perhaps but not exactly the same. Just like horizontal panning, it can create a beautiful painterly effect.
You can achieve this technique with a tripod or handheld. A tripod is often used to help you keep straight as you pan up, though it can work handheld as well.
First, you’ll want to set your settings in order to lower your shutter speed. In bright light, you’ll need to max out your aperture and your ISO. So ISO 100 and f/22 for example. If you have a Neutral Density filter you may not have to completely max out those settings however. Generally I am looking to get the shutter speed in the range of 1/30s to 1-2 seconds in exposure length. The panning effect changes depending on both the shutter speed and how fast you move the camera, the latter most significant. If you use an ND filter, I find it easiest with the 6 stop because this strength filter is great for getting the shutter speed down to about a 1 second or slightly faster. With the 6 stop, I am still able to focus with the filter on, so this makes things move quicker. With a 10 stop, focus and composition is challenging since you can’t see the scene through the filter.
Once I have my settings, I set the frame by choosing my focal length and where the bottom of the frame will be. I focus on the scene and then as I press the shutter I move the camera up. The faster the shutter, say 1/30, the quicker you need to move the camera to get the blur effect. The important thing is to try to stay steady and move the camera up straight. If handheld, keep your elbows close to your body to steady yourself. Faster movement will create more blur while slower will leave a little more detail in the scene.
You can use a longer lens and focus in on the grass or trees, or you can use a wider focal length and get more of the scene.
Get out there and have some creative fun!
Visit Seascape Panning for trips on seascape and horizontal panning. To shop for a 6 stop ND filter to help you out with your vertical and horizontal panning, visit Breakthrough Photography Filters.*
Kristen Ryan is an award winning and published landscape and fine art photographer and educator residing in the Midwest suburbs of Chicago. All images are available for purchase in the Fine Art Store or by request. Kristen leads ladies landscape photography retreats in the Tetons, Chicago, and the Canadian Rockies, offers private mentoring and teaches an online landscape photography workshop, The World Around You.
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