Pan Shot

A Pan Shot (Panning) is a camera movement technique where the camera rotates horizontally (left or right) from a fixed position, without changing its physical location. It is used to follow a subject, reveal new elements in a scene, or establish a broader environment.

Uses of Pan Shots

1. Establishing Shots – Used to introduce a setting by slowly revealing the surroundings.
2. Tracking Movement – Follows a moving subject to maintain focus and continuity.
3. Revealing Information – Unveils new details in a scene by shifting the viewer’s perspective.
4. Tension and Suspense – Slowly panning to reveal something unexpected.

Variations of Pan Shots

• Slow Pan – A gradual movement to build suspense or provide detailed observation.
• Fast Pan (Whip Pan / Swish Pan) – A rapid movement that blurs the image, often used for dynamic transitions or action scenes.

See Also:

• Whip Pan / Swish Pan – A rapid panning motion creating a motion blur effect.

Additional Reading

• Wikipedia – Panning
• Studio Binder – Camera Pan & Fundamentals of camera Moment