The camera motion commonly known as panning occurs in the horizontal/table plane. This action moves sideward, while maintaining consistent level. Think of the eyes tracing the horizon as the head rotates to the side (like nodding the head “no”). As the pan occurs, the vertical composition of vision changes as objects slide right or left. The pan emphasizes horizontal motion, but requires an eye for vertical composition.
Traveling Side Phrase
“When panning with the camera, place your feet in a comfortable position at the finish of the pan. Then twist your body into the starting position. This unwinding effect allows your body to relax as it approaches the end of the pan, instead of building tension and the shakes that go with such tension. This same technique works somewhat the same in lengthy tilt. Position your body in a comfortable position at the end of the tilt, not at the beginning.”
From Single-camera Video Production by Robert B. Musburger