What term is used for moving the camera and tripod from side to side parallel to the picture plane?

The correct term for moving the camera and tripod from side to side parallel to the picture plane is panning. Panning involves rotating the camera horizontally, allowing the shot to follow a subject or explore a scene, while keeping the camera fixed at a single location on the tripod.

In contrast, trucking refers to moving the entire camera and tripod smoothly from side to side. This movement involves a physical shift within a space, rather than simply rotating on a vertical axis. Zooming is the process of changing the focal length of the lens to make the subject appear closer or further away without physically moving the camera. Crabbing, while it sounds similar, typically refers to a lateral movement that simulates the motion of a crab, but does not imply movement parallel to the picture plane in the same way panning does. Understanding these terms is crucial for mastering camera techniques in video and film production.