Bringing Gary into Focus: My Pantastic Panning Practice

Exploring Motion Blur in Dog Photography with Gary

I recently took part in a dog photography challenge focused on motion blur, and I chose one of my favourite techniques to explore: panning.

The fifth round of the Emerge Challenge was aptly titled Pantastic, and I knew I’d need a fast, focused dog with a good recall and a love of running. Enter Gary the Border Collie, who brought both speed and personality to the frame.

Gary is a chocolate and white Border Collie with an incredible sense of enthusiasm, and he was more than happy to take part. We started with a casual practice run at Nicole’s place, then followed up with the main session here on my farm in Wootton, NSW.

Learning the Panning Technique with a Fast Dog and a Lot of Patience

Panning is one of those techniques that seems simple in theory, but it takes practice and patience to nail. You’re essentially moving your camera with your subject at the same speed while shooting with a slower shutter speed. The goal is to keep the subject sharp while the background blurs with motion. I found the process both frustrating and rewarding. You can’t rely on spray and pray. It’s about rhythm, timing, and intention.

After a few hundred frames and numerous near misses, I finally landed the shot I submitted. Gary is mid-air, fully extended, ears flying, eyes forward. The feedback I received was constructive and spot on, a slight tweak to the crop for better balance and a warmer overall tone to complement the afternoon light. I made those changes and resubmitted the image for my portfolio.

And while I didn’t make the Top 10 this round, I came away with something even more valuable — the joy of capturing a dog doing what he loves, and the growth that comes with slowing down and pushing your technique.

My Favourite Motion Blur Moments from the Session

I’ve included both the action shot and one of Gary’s portraits from the session, because for me, it’s not just about one photo, it’s about telling the whole story.

Gary mid-air, fully extended, with that determined look only a working dog can deliver.

A quiet moment in between the action — Gary showing off his proud stance and incredible coat.

A Few More Favourites

While the panning shot was the hero I submitted, I was pretty thrilled with several other frames from the session too. Each one captured something different — Gary’s speed, expression, and his beautiful coat flowing in the late afternoon light.

It felt good to know the session wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Once I found my rhythm, the keepers came more often. That’s something I’ll carry forward into future motion work. Keep going, even after you think you’ve got the shot.

First session warm-up – Gary giving it his all under the morning sun.

I loved how the warm light wrapped around Gary’s coat during this trial run.

One of the early shots at the farm — the blur is a little heavy, but Gary’s focus is spot on.

Another airborne moment, and one of my personal favourites from the session.

Lessons from this challenge:

• Fast shutter isn’t always the answer; sometimes blur tells a better story
• A steady hand and an active dog are equally important
• Crop and colour matter more than you think, and they’re worth revisiting
• Shooting on familiar ground, like my own paddocks, helped me focus on the technique, not just the location

Capturing the Spirit of a Dog in Motion

Whether you’re new to dog photography or revisiting creative techniques like motion blur, I encourage you to play. There’s a sweet spot between control and chaos, and when you hit it, the results can be magic.

Thanks, Gary, for being the star of this one. And thank you, Nicole, for your patience.

PS. We even landed a full-page story in our local newsletter. You can check it out here:
https://wootton.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/August2025.pdf

Want to Photograph Your Dog in Motion? Let’s Chat

If you’ve got a dog with speed to burn or a story worth capturing, I’d love to hear from you.
Drop me a message to learn more about what it’s like to have your dog photographed at my countryside studio in Wootton, on the beautiful Barrington Coast.