Capturing Speed at Goodwood Revival 2024

Panning shots are one of the most visually captivating techniques in photography, especially when you're dealing with fast-moving subjects like cars, boats, or even motorcycles.
If you're looking to capture the essence of speed and motion, this technique will help you achieve that stunning motion blur effect, where the background blurs into streaks while the subject remains relatively sharp.

In this post, I'll break down the process of achieving perfect panning shots using examples from my recent work at the Goodwood Revival 2024, where I captured cars rounding a corner at the historic Goodwood Motor Circuit.
I'll also provide insights into how this technique translates into other fast-moving subjects, such as marine photography.

The Art of Panning: Timing, Shutter Speed, and Camera Movement

The magic behind a successful panning shot lies in three critical factors: the right shutter speed, the movement of the camera, and the synchronicity between the speed of your subject and the speed at which you move your camera.
As an example, during the Goodwood Revival 2024, I used a Lumix S1R paired with a fixed 85mm f1.4 lens to shoot classic racing cars, some speeding past at over 100 mph (160 km/h). Here's how to fine-tune your settings:

1. Choosing the Right Shutter Speed

When working with panning shots, shutter speed is your best friend (or your worst enemy). Too fast a shutter speed will freeze the motion, while too slow will make your subject a blurry mess.
Striking the right balance is key.

For example:
Shutter speed too fast (1/1000 sec): I found that although the car was sharp, the feeling of speed was lost, with no motion blur to convey action.

Shutter speed too slow (1/30 sec): The entire image turned into a blur, making the car almost unrecognizable.

Through trial and error at Goodwood, I found that a shutter speed of around 1/60 to 1/125 sec worked best for cars moving at 70-120 mph (112-193 km/h). This setting allowed me to keep the car in focus while the background blurred into sleek lines, enhancing the sense of speed and motion.

2. Synchronizing Camera Movement with Subject

Achieving the desired motion blur doesn't just rely on the shutter speed; it also depends on your ability to track the subject smoothly.
When photographing the cars at Goodwood, I ensured that my camera followed the movement of the car in a steady, fluid motion from left to right. Matching the speed of the car with the movement of the camera ensured that the car stayed sharp while the background streaked into beautiful blurs.

One common mistake that results in a subpar panning shot is mismatching the speed of the subject with the camera movement. If I moved my camera too fast while tracking a car moving at only 60 mph (96 km/h), the resulting shot would have unnecessary blur.

Technical Insights: Equipment and Focal Lengths

The choice of lens greatly impacts your panning shots, as the focal length determines how close or far you can be from the subject, while the aperture affects light intake and background blur (bokeh). Here’s how I apply my full-frame and micro four-thirds lenses to motorsport photography, based on shooting distances and the speed of the subject.

Full Frame Lenses

- 18mm Lumix Prime f1.8: Best used when you're up close to the action, within 5-10 feet (1.5-3 meters). This wide-angle lens captures a broader field of view, ideal for creating dynamic panning shots where you can see more of the scene around the moving subject.

- 85mm Lumix Prime f1.8: Ideal for medium distances, around 30-50 feet (9-15 meters) from the subject. This focal length is excellent for isolating a car or motorcycle while blurring the background in motorsport or marine photography.

- 24-105mm Lumix f4.0: A versatile zoom lens that can handle a range of distances from 10-100 feet (3-30 meters). At the shorter focal lengths, it works well in tighter spaces, while the zoom allows you to capture subjects further away. The f4 aperture may require brighter conditions or a higher ISO when using slower shutter speeds.

- 150-600mm Sigma f5.6: This is your go-to lens for long-distance shooting, from 150 feet (45 meters) up to several hundred meters. Ideal for photographing boats on the water or cars on a track when you're positioned far away. The longer focal length demands steadier panning and is more sensitive to camera shake, so it pairs well with a monopod or tripod.

Micro Four Thirds (Backup System)

- 12mm Lumix Leica f1.4: With the micro four-thirds system's crop factor (2x), this lens functions like a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera. Ideal for close-up shots within 5-15 feet (1.5-4.5 meters).

- 25mm Lumix f1.7 Prime: With a 50mm full-frame equivalent, this is suitable for 20-30 feet (6-9 meters) distances, offering a middle ground for sharp, isolated subject shots.

- 45-200mm Lumix f5.6: This versatile zoom, with a full-frame equivalent of 90-400mm, works best at 50-300 feet (15-90 meters) depending on your focal length. It's particularly effective for distant shots but requires higher shutter speeds to prevent blurring from camera shake.

Ideal Shutter Speeds for Various Subject Speeds

Here’s a general guide to panning shutter speeds based on how fast your subject is moving, broken down for each lens and subject speed from 10 to 120 mph (16-193 km/h). The table includes ideal shutter speeds to maintain sharpness on the subject while blurring the background.

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Key Takeaways

- Wider lenses (like the 18mm full frame or 12mm micro four-thirds) are ideal for close-up shots where you're near the subject, and they tend to require slower shutter speeds to capture the motion blur properly.

- Mid-range lenses (like the 85mm or 25mm) give you the ability to shoot from medium distances while providing a nice balance between background blur and subject sharpness.

- Telephoto lenses (like the 150-600mm or 45-200mm) are perfect for distant subjects, but you’ll need to use faster shutter speeds due to the higher magnification, which amplifies even the smallest motion.

Each lens has its strengths depending on your proximity to the subject and the speed at which the subject is moving. By adjusting your shutter speed, you can create stunning motion blur that conveys a sense of action and speed in your shots.

Beyond Motorsport: Panning in Marine Photography

While I used this technique for motorsport photography, panning is equally effective in other areas, particularly in marine photography.
When photographing fast-moving boats or yachts, the same principles apply: synchronize your camera movement with the speed of the boat to keep it sharp while blurring the water and background.

One challenge that arises in marine photography is the unpredictable motion of waves and water spray, which can add complexity to the shot. A slower-moving boat at 30 knots (34 mph or 56 km/h) may require a shutter speed of 1/50 sec.

Final Thoughts: Practice Makes Perfect

Getting the perfect panning shot can be a game of patience, but the results are worth the effort.

Whether you're capturing the high-speed action of a race or the thrill of a boat cutting through water, the combination of the right shutter speed, smooth camera movement, and proper lens choice will help you freeze the subject in sharp focus while the world around it blurs into motion.