Potomac National Baseball

[pyterps]

Pics from last nights game. Please let me know what you think about the compisition, exposure and WB. 10 in all and thanks for looking and commenting.

[pyterps]

3 and 4

[pyterps]

5 and 6

The ducks would not leave the field and made their way around the bases

[pyterps]

7 and 8

[pyterps]

9 and 10

[macdane]

Can't believe you're not getting any feedback! Though I don't shoot Canon, a friend who does has pointed me to your post because I've recently tried my hand at baseball. I'm not in a position to critique your work, but I'll share a few observations I made after my first game about 2 weeks ago...

1. Baseball is often thought of as a slow-moving sport, but when there's action, there's ACTION. Usually lots of it in several different areas of the field.

2. There's a lot of gambling involved, and I don't mean the Pete Rose kind. Do I cover the batter who could potentially deliver the game-winning hit? Or the guy on third who could be involved in a play at the plate? Or the runner on first who looks like he wants to steal second? It would've helped to have at least a second photographer there with me.

3. Lots of guesswork, too. If I'm zoomed in on the batter, how do I know when the ball is pitched?

4. Minor league ball, which is infinitely easier for me to stomach than anything involving over-inflated pro egos and attitudes, suffers from woefully low attendance. Granted, it was a weeknight, but I'd be surprised to learn there were more than 150 people there.

5. It's just plain harder (and more fun) than I thought it'd be.

I'll post some shots from my first baseball game -- actually my first sports event of any kind -- in the next post.

Macdane

[macdane]

Okay, here's a handful of shots from my first game. All shot with Olympus E-1 and Oly DZ 50-200mm handheld. Obviously not Canon-related, but I'm open to critique as well...

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/01.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/02.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/03.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/04.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/05.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/06.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/07.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/08.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/09.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/10.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/11.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/12.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/13.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/14.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/macdane/lugnuts/15.JPG

[kenyc]

Nice work.

KAC

[pyterps]

Macdane

I have some of the same questions as you did and I think your images are good. I think a few of them could be cropped a lot tighter and a couple of them are a tad overexposed. Like you I'm going to keep on shooting and getting better. I'm also going to rent a couple of long lenses so I can learn to shoot with them and get some good action shots.

Dave

[Parmcat]

Pyterps,

Some good shots there.

A few things I notice.

1- Most at just a bit out of focus. Try to get those eyes.
2- Some are also quiet noisy. Try neat image to help here

Overall, a very good set of shots!

Parm

[macdane]

I have some of the same questions as you did and I think your images are good. I think a few of them could be cropped a lot tighter and a couple of them are a tad overexposed.
I neglected to mention that these are all out-of-camera JPGs, with no cropping or other PP aside from resizing. For the few that I've printed, I started with the RAW files and did some sharpening and cropping.

As for the overexposure, I agree but I think part of the problem might have to do with contrast. What do you think about knocking the contrast back a step in my camera next time?

Like you I'm going to keep on shooting and getting better. I'm also going to rent a couple of long lenses so I can learn to shoot with them and get some good action shots.
Ah, you've got me there. You have some good equipment rental option while my best bet for Oly gear is usually to just buy it.

Good luck!
Macdane

[pyterps]

Macdane...My camera is set to be neutral on everything and I have to add during post processing. When I send things to the lab they like it like that and they do everything for me and the results are outstanding.

Dave

[superdiver]

Macdane...My camera is set to be neutral on everything and I have to add during post processing. When I send things to the lab they like it like that and they do everything for me and the results are outstanding.

Dave

How do you set it on "neutral"?

[macdane]

How do you set it on "neutral"?
I'm guessing he means that he's neither boosting nor cutting contrast in-camera. That's the way mine is set, too, but I'm wondering if it would help under certain conditions to set in-camera contrast to "-1" or something like that.

Macdane

[okiebass101]

Good catch on the action ...
as previously stated .. just a bit noises...
also you may also want to try to set a custom wb
as well as play with the contrast...
also looks like these are from two different places .. the colors are very different... just keep shooting.. i am finding i wish i had a little more reach.. i shoot a 70-200, should would like to have that 300 2.8 ... some day... :D

[superdiver]

Oh...ok...thanks...

[pyterps]

The first set of shots are mine and were at the same location. I did a custom WB when I arrived but I'm wondering if one should keep adjusting the WB as the sun is setting? I agree with the noise and until I get a longer lens and not have to crop as much the noise will still be present. I could run through a noise reduction program and would if anyone was interested in an image. I'm looking to rent a lens or use a friends lens very soon and see what shots I can get. I started out at 400 ISO and ended up at 1600 ISO before the night was over.

Dave

[Actionphotog]

pyterps, nice photos. But like with anything in life practice and depending where you are in the stadium your photos can only get better.
Macdane, I'm not familiar with the Olympus E-1, but your photos are great acion shoots I have to take points away because .. well it's not a canon. LOL.
You both shot some great photos.

I shot baseball for the luray wranglers, a team with www.valleyleaguebaseball.com where
College baseball players can play all summer and stay in shape.
pyterps if you're ever in the area during the season, msg me and we can learn a thing or two from each other. There are newspaper guys from the area and we all share info on stadium like where is the best place to shot and so on.

[pyterps]

Looking at a map I think Luray VA would be 1-2 hours from DC. I think this would be great fun and if you have any weekends where you know a bunch of you will be shooting I would love to drive over.

Dave

[macdane]

Macdane, I'm not familiar with the Olympus E-1, but your photos are great acion shoots I have to take points away because .. well it's not a canon. LOL.
You both shot some great photos..
Thanks! I love the E-1 but its one real weakness is high-ISO noise. Most, if not all (I'd have to check to be sure) of the shots I posted were at ISO 100. I stuck with auto WB because I was moving around like crazy throughout the game. Not just within one area, but from third base to first base to behind the plate. That, plus the setting sun and the lights coming on, seemed like I'd have my hands full with constantly changing WB.

I don't discriminate against camera brands, so if anyone in mid-Michigan wants to shoot a Lansing Lugnuts game, just say so. It's a great venue and we have pretty good access to most areas of the stadium.

Macdane

[rvissers]

Man I'd love to shoot a lugnuts game...give me a call sometime and lets go!:lol: