Continuing Ed – Experimentation
I’ve been thinking alot about how I capture some of my abstract art images and one moment definitely stands out.Over the past 5 or so years, I have scanned many so-called photography magazines looking for one that captures my attention for more than a brief moment. Many failed, but one succeeded. Digital Photographer, a UK-based outfit puts out a magazine chocked full of pages and a CD to boot. It remains a pricey little bugger, and to my luck I found that Costco carries it (one month lag) for an affordable price. Each month writers discuss a new way of taking photographs. The issue that caught my attention spoke of panning at a slow shutter speeds.
Now I’ve always understood using slow shutter speeds to blur water, capturing sports activities using a fast shutter. Many sports photographers pan at high shutter speeds to emphasize motion. Well I thought, what about combining panning at slower shutter speeds (usually around 1/8sec). I tried straight panning, circle panning, even diagonal and soon learned this method creates quite a nice effect.
(mouse over for larger image)
About a month after reading this article, I found myself wandering the Applegate Valley near my home. I went to take a few shots of the McKee Bridge. I enjoyed taking pictures that day, but wasn’t really excited about the results I was getting. I wandered around the picnic areas, under the bridge, close-up’s, panorama’s and then headed over to the fish ladder. While snapping shots, watching the water wheel slowly turn, I decided to test out this show shutter panning effect. After several attempts adjusting both shutter and panning speeds, I found the sweet spot – my camera, the light and speed of the water wheel were well in tune. The last image is my favorite, in fact it is the background for my business card.
I learned some good things that day and realized the power of experimentation. This day’s shoot cemented another tool into my bag of tricks.
Tags: panning, shutter speed
