C & C Please!

[eigga]

These are my two favorite so far. You can also see more at www.FocusedOnFun.com (http://www.FocusedOnFun.com) Both were taken with 30D and 70-200 2.8

#1
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff66/mcgomez13/Babes-218-1.jpg


#2
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff66/mcgomez13/Heat-40-1.jpg

[otlip]

Nice action shots, #2 is my favorite

[Darsk47]

Very nice. I like the first better, especially the shadow....perhaps a tighter crop off the left side, maybe the right too, but you may not want to lose the ball shadow - just depends how it will look.

[eigga]

I cropped to keep the 4x6 size , kinda wish the ball was a little lower so I could edit more out... never thought of the cropping the ball shadow but I see where that would help ... thanks!

[williambeeler]

I like both shots. To me No.1 everything to the left of the infielder's hand could be cropped out. It would give more of a focus on the direction of play. Rule of thirds. If the second didn't have the ump right there I would crop the left of the ball, but he is and both are great at catching the action and the facial expressions.:' )

[dmwierz]

Matt,

I just took a look at your Web site.

I offer these criticisms if you genuinely want these shots to be "portfolio" caliber. You have some nice images there, but they are very softball-centric (I think all but 2 are of girl's SB), and while they show good timing, a couple are a little soft and many are way too loose. Portfolio shots should be the best you can do (as opposed to an online gallery, which can be a good representative sampling of your work), and each image should sparkle, and should have as many of the elements of an excellent sports image as possible.

IMHO, these elements are:

1. The shot should contain peak action and emotion from the subject (s)
2. Include only the people who are involved in the peak action - spectators, even those in uniform, don't usually add anything to your shot
3. Sharp Focus - the subject should be RAZOR sharp
4. Get the ball/puck/thing in the frame
5. Fast Shutter speed to "freeze" the action (sometimes motion blur can add to the drama of the shot, though - this is an artistic decision; if you're uncertain about how to employ it, don't)
6. Narrow depth of field to isolate the subject (large apertures)
7. Uncluttered background - look around for the best place to shoot from, with the least amount of stuff in the background
8. Proper exposure and lighting
9. The face of the subject should be clearly visible and properly lit. Get the eyes if you can.
10. The shot should be well-composed (read up on "The Rule of Thirds" and think about this when you compose and crop your shots)
11. Close-ups rule! "Shoot tight; crop tighter"

Since you and I have corresponded regarding SportsShooter, I'll refer you here for a little background:

http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1127

I'd also say you're gonna want more variety in your submission. I can almost guarantee they won't approve you if the vast majority of your shots are from one sport.

When I get through the flood of work I've accumulated from a full weekend's work, I'll try to give you more thoughts.

Keep shooting, though. I enjoyed going through your Web site while I waited for my old PowerBook to crunch away on files ;)

Dennis

[keith isaac]

Great shots.

[eigga]

Thanks williambeeler. The umpire in #1 bought a 20x30 of that image... never know who will buy :)

I appreciate your thoughts Dennis. I have realized some of that on my own and had not thought of others. That should be posted on every newbie thread!