How to Achieve Smooth Pan Shots Using a Rubber Band and a Tripod: Guest post by Dave Surber

Intro by Skip Cohen

I think we're going to change Dave Surber's name to "Dave MacGyver". Just the title of this post had me doing a flashback to the old TV series. However, once again Dave shows the diversity of Panasonic's Luminaries in this special guest post!

Interested in seeing more of Dave's work, check out his website.  You'll never be disappointed. Plus, you can follow Dave and all of the LUMIX Luminaries with a visit to the Luminary Lounge

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Have you ever had a hard time capturing a smooth pan shot? Well a friend of mine showed me this production trick a few years ago that might help you out. I’ve used this trick on everything from cheap friction tripod heads to expensive fluid tripod heads with much success. So, whether you’re shooting with a crappy tripod, during an earthquake, or even if you had too much coffee this “rubber-band trick” is sure to help.

Here’s what you need:

1.     A camera and a tripod. Preferably a Lumix camera and tripod. ;)

Lumix GH4 Camera and tripod. Picture taken with Lumix GM1.

2.     A rubber band.

Rubber band. Picture taken with Lumix GM1.

3.     Here’s how to do it:

Take the rubber band and loop it around the handle of the tripod.  Now pull the rubber band as you would the tripod handle. The rubber band will absorb some of the shakiness of your pan. It will also smooth out some inconsistencies of panning speed should there be any.

Try experimenting with different types of rubber bands and/or different combinations of rubber bands to find what best suits your needs.

Various rubber band sizes. Picture taken with Lumix GM1.

Here’s a short entertaining video on the process I found on YouTube:

Best Camera Trick Ever! Video by Brusspup

So, try it out and let me know how it goes! And to all those Lumix Intagram shooters out there, don't forget to hashtag your pics with #LumixLounge to be a part the Lumix Community Gallery!

Happy panning!