How should a camera pan head be adjusted before panning?

Adjusting a camera pan head to be fairly loose before panning allows for smooth, controlled movement during the shot. When the pan head is too tight, it restricts motion, leading to jerky or shaky movements that can negatively impact the quality of the video. A loose pan head enables the operator to create fluid, continuous pans, enhancing the viewer's experience and maintaining the visual narrative.

The other options disrupt the purpose of panning. Tightening the pan head completely makes it difficult to move the camera fluidly, locking the camera in position instead of allowing movement. Locking the pan head in place serves the same function, completely preventing any camera rotation. Removing the pan head from the tripod eliminates the ability to pan altogether, rendering the panning feature useless. Keeping the pan head fairly loose strikes the right balance between stability and mobility, facilitating dynamic filming.