First attempt at Sports. College Baseball

[lost]

I made my first attempt attempt at sports last night. Here are some examples.


Bunt

http://www.btoups.com/gallery/normal/CRW_4940.jpg

That ball hit this guy. He was down for a while, but got up and took his base.

http://www.btoups.com/gallery/normal/CRW_5000.jpg

He's SAFE

http://www.btoups.com/gallery/normal/CRW_5026.jpg

Double Play.

http://www.btoups.com/gallery/normal/CRW_5030.jpg



Do you think these pictures look dull. They looked fine on my CRT at home but not so good on my LCD at work. I know one or both need to be calibrated but can afford a Spyder right now.

More pictures can be seen on my website. http://www.btoups.com/gallerylist.php?exhibition=22

Please take a look and let me know what I did wrong. (and right) :lol:


Thanks for your time.

[ShutteringFocus]

alright I'm no expert but everybody's got an opinion…(some of us more than others :)

#1 Good - Nice capture. You got it just at the right moment. I like the look on his face. The background is a bit distracting...its also kinda far away. See if you cant get closer, or zoom in. Crop the catchers glove out...it looks kinda funny with just a glove sticking out.

#2 Again, a bit far away...but I like the catcher in here.

#3 This one looks dark to me. Brighten it up a touch. I'd also crop it so you mostly see the slider and maybe just the baseman's leg from knee down...the butt is kinda weird...looks like it has hands growing out of it.

#4 The double play is cool. I'd crop out the two fielders on either side and just have the two basemen and runner.

Just some ideas. All in all they look nice though. I know High School baseball starts around here after spring break (this week) I'm really excited...I've never shot baseball before.

[blinking8s]

baseball is hard...I do my best to avoid getting assigned to it...you cant cover the whole field, lighting usually isnt good, and if it is the shadows are against you...and I have to prefocus on the pitcher, which I find tought to get perfect...

but hard things are often rewarding when you get "that" shot

[lost]

Thanks Shuttering and blinking,

I really do appreciate the Critique. I was using the 70-200 f/4L and most of the time at full zoom. I will be looking into a TC in the near future.

I have not done any cropping on them yet. I took them late last night and just converted using RSE. (Adjusted WB, Exposure, Saturation & slight sharpening) How does the Saturation look to you guys? I will work on the images tonight when I get off of work and Post again.

Unfortunately I feel the 300d was just not up to the task for some of the more difficult situations. I had serious focus problems. I am working towards a 20d which might help that out some. Would a flash have help out at all? There were some other photographers there and a couple of them were using a flash.

This forum is great for people just learning new types of photography.

[lost]

Images Cropped and reworked. Let me know if there is any improvement.

Here are a couple more.

http://www.btoups.com/gallery/normal/CRW_5023.jpg

http://www.btoups.com/gallery/normal/CRW_5077.jpg

http://www.btoups.com/gallery/normal/CRW_5016.jpg

Again More pictures at my gallery. http://www.btoups.com/gallerylist.php?exhibition=22

[fslshooter]

Some photographers consider baseball to be one of the most difficult sports to shoot but proper equipment, technique, luck, good light conditions and an understanding of the game help. I think you had some of those factors against you which means that for a first attempt these are very good. If you understand the game you can pre focus on where the action is likely to be for best results. As with all sports you need good light to get good stuff and IMO good light means full daylight under an overcast sky -- mid afternoon under a cloudy sky is near perfect. Once the lights come on at the ballpark most of the pros pack up their gear and either leave or watch the rest of the game. Luck speaks for itself; for example, a beautiful swing with the ball behind the batter is worthless. Technique comes with practice -- and lots of failures. The best equipment cost $$. Here are some tips: Never shoot below a shutter speed of 350 at any ISO, preferably shoot at or above 500 and 1000+ is best of all. ISO of 200 to 400 will yield the best images. Try not to shoot into the sun. Your best shots of a play at second base are usually from along the third base line. Your best shots of batters are usually from the first base line and shots of a batter coming out of the box after a hit are often very good. Shoot pitchers from almost directly behind the catcher or righties from along the third base line and lefties from along the first base line. And BTW, don't use flash during the game if you're close enough to distract players unless you want to be tossed from the ballpark :rolleyes: .

[lost]

Much Thanks Jerry,

I will definitely use your advice. I have a co-worker/distant relative whose son pitches in High School ball. He is a freshman so he doesnt play often. After seeing my pictures she asked me to try to get some pictures of her son. later this month they have an afternoon game and I will go. I am also looking for more advice on good shooting locations in relation to the field. The only reason I asked about the Flash is because a couple of the photographers that "looked" like they knew what they were doing were using them. By that I mean good equipment and also were let inside the fence. I on the other hand was not. I did get some satisfaction that my picture of the runner getting tagged at home is better than the one printed in color on the front page of the sports section. HaHa

Buddy