In photography, what does "panning" typically refer to?

Panning in photography specifically refers to the technique of moving the camera horizontally to follow the motion of a moving subject, which allows the subject to remain relatively sharp while creating a sense of motion with a blurred background. This effect highlights the speed and movement of the subject, making it stand out against the motion-blurred environment, thus adding dynamism to the image.

The technique requires a steady hand and often involves a slower shutter speed to achieve the desired motion blur in the background while freezing the action of the subject. This method is commonly used in sports photography or when capturing moving vehicles, as it effectively conveys the feeling of motion and speed.