LL Baseball from last night

[Bill S]

Here are a few, it was an overcast early evening.
Constructive criticism welcome.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73937398-L.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73937398-L.jpg)
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73937413-L.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73937413-L.jpg)
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73937448-L.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73937448-L.jpg)
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73937610-L.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73937610-L.jpg)
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73943493-L.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73943493-L.jpg)
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73943643-L.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73943643-L.jpg)
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73943800-L.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/photos/73943800-L.jpg)

Thanks for looking

[JMHPhotography]

Awesome... did you use the 70-200 or the 120-300?

[Bill S]

Thanks Fork.

That was the 120-300 wide open. The 70-200 would be a little short.
The 70-200 with the 1.4 would also be a little slow (f4) by the end of the game. By the end of the game I was at ISO800, 1/1250 sec.

[colleent]

These are all awesome. You captured some great moments.

[Miner]

Great shots Bill! Number six, white looks a little blown out. They all look a little bright on my screen.

[DaveL]

I really like #4 (I think) the batter swinging... the kids taking
a big league cut!

[fslshooter]

These are exceptionally good pics -- I love the dust and intensity you've captured in players' faces. Exposure, colors, and framing are excellent except #4 which is tilted clockwise. IMO the best way to get images level is to rotate the original image during post processing using something in the frame that's verticale as a point of reference -- like those fence posts. After you get the original image properly aligned then crop it the way you want.

[Woolburr]

That first one is priceless...poor kid is playing in a dust storm.

[Bill S]

Jerry thats shot five, I looked at 4 a few times and couldn't undertand.
I agee that would improve the image.
Miner number 6 is hot. I was adjusting for the kids face under that dark helmet which brightened up the whole shot. I am trying something new for me. I try and expose for the face and let the pants blow out to a point. The problem can be the limestone infield reflects light which brightens the whole shot.

Thanks for looking (and commenting)

[fslshooter]

Jerry thats shot five, I looked at 4 a few times and couldn't undertand.
I agee that would improve the image.
Miner number 6 is hot. I was adjusting for the kids face under that dark helmet which brightened up the whole shot. I am trying something new for me. I try and expose for the face and let the pants blow out to a point. The problem can be the limestone infield reflects light which brightens the whole shot.

Thanks for looking (and commenting)

Bill - Sorry for the confusion -- I'm afraid my counting's no better than my spelling ;) . As for exposing for faces and blowing out highlights, I've found that to be the best way to deal with cap shadows when most or all of the face is in shadow. Then during post processing add some contrast and tweak levels, curves and saturation as necessary to bring back the colors and tone down the highlights.

[Bill S]

Jerry I have to get in the habit of numbers the shots.
I have to work on my post processing. I am working on the less is more plan.
Sometimes I do more damage with my "fixes".
I have found for sure that the closer you get out of the camera the better the photo will be from every aspect. RAW is nice but proper exposure is better.

[MazerRakhm]

Nice ones, I relly like the last one, with him catching the ball. (Or at least I hope he caught it!)

I noticed they play on that gravel surface, we have some of that here and I hate when they play on it.

[pprrad]

Bill S

I like all of the shots! How are you focusing with the Mark IIn? Are you using auto center focus? I set center focus to * and have had a difficult time getting images this sharp with my 120-300 wide open. I often either get the uniform sharp and the face soft or visa versa with f/2.8 so have had to stop down one or two. Using a monopod or tripod I presume. I;m sure most probs are my technique.

[Bill S]

I use center point and * to focus. I agree with your comment it is difficult to get the face and uniform in focus/sharp.
I am no expert but I think proper exposure helps sharpness.
Proper exposure is rarely what the meter tells you. With the MKII on the fields we play on it always seems to be +1/3 to 1 stop depending on conditions. I am working on my stillness. I tend to jerk when I pull the trigger. It is a natural reaction but must be controlled. I worked on stillness this game. This was with a monopod.

I am really firming up my belief that the difference between the good and great shots is technique, exposure, setting selections. I use the same equipment as some very talented people who get better results then I do, is it the equipment? Probably not.

[Croasdail]

awsome job. I just shot my kids games this year and it was a ton of fun. It was just t-ball so not too much peak action - but plenty of expressions. Your stuff here is top notch.

Cheers.

[Bill S]

Thnaks Croasdail, it is fun getting what action there is.