Panning is a basic technique that is very important to our photography. In a nutshell, it’s a technique that stops a moving subject visually in our photograph. The basic technique is based on proper handholding and twisting at the trunk. This assumes the subject is out in front of us moving is a predictable way permitting the basic technique to work. But what happens when the subject doesn’t move in a level way in front of us? What happens when it comes scream right at your head?!
Last weekend I gained access to the pyro field at the Wings Over Houston Airshow. All the performers fly out in front of the audience which is a line about 500 yards out. The Pyro line is also 500 yards out in front of the audience. That means that where I was standing, the planes were right over my head and not in front of me. This meant that panning on a subject out in front of me wasn’t possible but rather, I was panning subject flying over my head. Proper handholding goes out the window, so does twisting at the waist. I meant I started with the D5 / 200-400VR2 pointed straight in front of me and as the planes flew down the field, visually flying down the lens barrel, panning was a motion of lifting the lens up over my head to get the shots. The majority of the shooting I can’t see in the viewfinder as the camera is coming up so fast, all I can do is move the lens. I fired the entire time doing what I call hail marry panning because I have no clue if I’ll get a thing. Now I’ve been practicing this crazy idea and this past weekend got results that I like. The idea is getting shots that simply says, “screaming by” and when there clouds, the effect comes through.
This Saturday at the Nut Tree Airport, Vacaville, CA will be the first inaugural Nut Tree Air Fair. With the great line up of aircraft (ya, I know a secret or two) and with the predicted weather, it’s going to be a great event. I’ll be there and hope to see you! If you see me, please say hello and if you need any assistance, I’ll do my best to help. BTW … I tell you it’s FREE! Cya there!
I get LOT of emails asking if I have a D500 and use it. The answer is a resounding YES! As I’ve written before though, we use the D500 as a video machine to which it excels! Yes, it does a killer job shooting stills as Brent has shown many times. But for me personally, when it comes to stills I’m shooting FX, the D5, simply because that’s how my mind sees things and the lenses I have in my bag. But when it comes to video, I think the D500 is matched by none. I asked Brent who shoots the D500 A LOT as a video machine to put together a simple video to show you that quality it produces. Because of all the background noise of the airshow, I substituted jet sounds to make the video a little easier to listen to. Enjoy!
“What remote are you using for your star trails?” Man, had that question a few times today from my Stary post. I only use the WR-R10 anymore because the only thing wrong with it is its so small, I’m afraid I’m going to loose it! Seriously, one of Nikon’s best accessories EVER is the little known WR-R10. It’s been around for years now and yet few know about it. It’s real simple, whether you have a 10pin socket or the other little funky type, this works perfectly (I use it with my D750 as well)! The added bonus of the WR-R10 is if you have the D5 or D500. With those bodies and the SB-5000 and WR-R10, you have wireless flash which is the BEST accessory Nikon has come out with in over a decade! And in case you’re wondering, yes you can fire remotely and use wireless flash at the same time with this. That’s just darn slick!
