Nice! This is called Active Panning. Some lenses have multiple stabilization modes, some that fight this effect and others that lean into it—for example:
Canon 70-200 f/4 ef-s ii has two active stabilization modes.
Stabilization mode 1 - dual axis stabilization; the rear element in question travels up and down and left and right to cancel out your open-shutter movements as much as possible.
Stabilization mode 2 - single axis stabilization; the rear element only travels up and down to cancel out these open-shutter movements, while not interfering with active panning on the left-right axis. If you’re shooting these shots with a selectable stabilization mode, check your docs to see how to best utilize the equivalent feature on your lens.
If you don’t have active stabilization, obviously a ‘pod of any relative stability helps relatively too.
If you don’t have such features or equipment, don’t worry!! This is totally possible handheld as well, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me you shot this with straight glass handheld. It’s a very nice example of the technique and I’m glad you shared it.
![image showing I went to my first NASCAR race today, I shot this photo by turning my body as the car sped by [OC]](d64bf491-247f-5695-9d61-6067bffbe11b.jpg)
Old_Cameraguy_8311 on May 4th, 2025 at 03:32 UTC »
Well done, given the speeds these cars run at. Not everyone gets it right the first time. Keep at it!
PS. You may want to get your sensor cleaned, those tiny black dots are dust and a pain in the butt to edit out.
browneyesays on May 4th, 2025 at 03:34 UTC »
My wife works for Nascar doing marketing and I showed her your picture. She really liked your shot and said it was really cool! Nice work!
chodeboi on May 4th, 2025 at 03:42 UTC »
Nice! This is called Active Panning. Some lenses have multiple stabilization modes, some that fight this effect and others that lean into it—for example:
Canon 70-200 f/4 ef-s ii has two active stabilization modes.
Stabilization mode 1 - dual axis stabilization; the rear element in question travels up and down and left and right to cancel out your open-shutter movements as much as possible.
Stabilization mode 2 - single axis stabilization; the rear element only travels up and down to cancel out these open-shutter movements, while not interfering with active panning on the left-right axis. If you’re shooting these shots with a selectable stabilization mode, check your docs to see how to best utilize the equivalent feature on your lens.
If you don’t have active stabilization, obviously a ‘pod of any relative stability helps relatively too.
If you don’t have such features or equipment, don’t worry!! This is totally possible handheld as well, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me you shot this with straight glass handheld. It’s a very nice example of the technique and I’m glad you shared it.