Panning

In still photography, the panning technique is used to suggest fast motion, and bring out foreground from background. In photographic pictures it is usually noted by a foreground subject in action appearing still (i.e. a runner frozen in mid-stride) while the background is streaked and/or skewed in the apparently opposite direction of the subject’s travel. (Wikipedia)

I have learnt of this technique for quite sometimes, but I had never practiced it, not until last week when I had chances to pan children running at school.  Even my constant f/2.8 fast lens could not compensate the low light condition (children run under tree shades) and fast running. To some degree, I could freeze their action, but it was not sharp enough. Then I came up with the idea of panning. After a few trial shots, I started to love it. I panned at the speed of about 1/100 to 1/60 sec.

Mock Sport Festival

Pouk, Siem Reap: Today after discussing with teachers and showing them some video clips, children were gathered under tree shades for mock sport festival. These sorts of sport activities are conducted annually in every primary school in Japan. We hope in the future, Cambodia will have our own version this sport activities too. Both children and teachers did have a very good time this afternoon. It is good for children to do it under the shades, but it means there is not enough light for action shots as I need fast shutter speed. We are gonna do it again tomorrow at the same place. As usual, here are some proofs.

Just an Errror

Siem Reap’s Teacher Training College could be the best of its kind in Cambodia, thanks to the cooperation with and assistances from various international organizations and local NGOs, and for sure their own commitment for betterment. Several multi-story buildings have been constructed; greenswards are well taken care of. It is even proud of the traffic signs planted inside the school compound telling drivers not to park or turn left. Littering outside designated bins is not well accepted, as throwaway plastic bag or paper was hardly found whenever I were there. It is the school that turned away a construction proposal worth about $40,000, considering having a single-story library building in the compound is not a good idea.

A part of Siem Reap’s Teacher Training College

However, I cannot understand why no one has paid attention on their no-pain-no-gain proverb plate, when such an error could be easily figured out. Considering they also train English-language teachers, it is even more a clumsy work. Surprisingly it also has a decent English-language website: http://www.pttcsiemreap.com

The proverb plate with ignored errors.

Jumper

I am happy to find a great jumper at a primary school I visited today. Though I am not really satisfied with the sharpness of the photos with my new lens, I am glad that I was able to freeze some actions of the jumper of the day. Here are some of them.