First try at baseball

GadgetRick

We go to watch the NJ Jackals--a local minor league team--play often as they're only about 5 minutes from where we live.

Had my camera with me this time for other reasons and decided to try shooting a few photos. Didn't have a proper lens (was with my 28-70) and I should have bumped my ISO more to get faster shutter speeds. Other than that...

1:


2:


3: Not sure about this one. Sort of like the pitcher in the frame but a lot going on and I didn't shoot quite wide enough.


4: Here's another with the pitcher in the frame.


5: Close play at 3rd (wide).


6: Close play cropped.


7: Good slide.


8:


9: Can't see his face on his one unfortunately.


Next season I'm going to bring some better gear with me and practice some more. They don't mind it and I can also gain some extra access. They feel guilty because my son was hit in the face with a bat about a week before these photos. The bat flew into the stands. He's ok but wound up with 9 stitches.
6:

photodad1

What equipment were you using? What were the camera settings?

johng

The timing in shot 2 is good. Otherwise not much good to say. Besides what you noted yourself, you've got a lack of faces - shots from behind the batter aren't that interesting and the angles hurt the dive back to the bag on first. The truth is - lighting and distance make it difficult to get compelling images from even minor league games. You'll want something at least 400mm if you're going to try again. But the important thing is - faces.

GadgetRick

johng wrote: »

The timing in shot 2 is good. Otherwise not much good to say. Besides what you noted yourself, you've got a lack of faces - shots from behind the batter aren't that interesting and the angles hurt the dive back to the bag on first. The truth is - lighting and distance make it difficult to get compelling images from even minor league games. You'll want something at least 400mm if you're going to try again. But the important thing is - faces.

Yeah, I'm with you. Hoping to pick up a longer prime sometime soon to do more of this. Unfortunately, I don't make money off this stuff so I can't justify spending the money just yet.

GadgetRick

photodad1 wrote: »

What equipment were you using? What were the camera settings?

50D with (believe it or not) Canon 28-70 f2.8 L--hence not being able to get terribly good shots.

beetle8

johng wrote: »

*snip* You'll want something at least 400mm if you're going to try again.*snip*

Really?
Only if your stuck in the grandstands.

I don't mean to be argumenative, but to suggest that he shouldn't bother trying again unless he's longer than 400mm is silly.

He's at a minor league game and has obviously gone ahead and taken advantage of that by moving around and getting close to the field. If he were to do the same thing with a 70-200 he'd have a shot at some decent shots, especially with the D50 crop.