Panning (camera)

In cinematography and photography, panning means swivelling a still or video camera horizontally from a fixed position.

The term panning is derived from panorama, suggesting an expansive view that exceeds the gaze, forcing the viewer to turn their head in order to take everything in.

Panning, in other words, is a device for gradually revealing and incorporating off-screen space into the image.

The exposure time must be long enough to allow the background to blur due to the camera movement as the photographer follows the subject in the viewfinder.

[1] The faster shutter speed allowed by fast moving subjects are easier to capture in a smoothly panned shot.

Overview from above, looking down on the camera panning left and right of the subject
Example of a panning technique photo (shutter speed: 1/80)
Panning shot of a chicken running, at a slow shutter speed of 1/40 second
Panning of Porsche 996 GT3 RSR, shutter speed is 1/125 second