Baseball/Softball

[ChrisK10]

So I went out this past week and shot a varsity baseball game on Monday and a varsity softball game on Tuesday. It was my first time shooting either sport. I found baseball to be a bit difficult because of the fencing around the field. I either had to shoot through the fence which didn't leave me with very good shots, or I had to shoot from about 15' past the visiting team's dug out to get an unobstructed view. Since it was my first time shooting baseball, I tried to concentrate on the pitcher, batters and only tried a few action shots.

#1 Shot this through the back stop. 1/1000, f/4, ISO 200
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4460083975_775f4fa9f3_b.jpg

#2 This one is from the end of the fence line, about 15' past visiting dug out. 1/1000, f/4, ISO 200
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4460927292_1c3969c06c_b.jpg

#3 Out at 1st. 1/800, f/3.5, ISO 250
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4460905000_723d05951b_b.jpg

#4 Took this from the side of the home dug out. There was a hole between the dug out and the fence wide enough to put the lense through. 1/1000, f/4, ISO 200
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4460935026_2462330620_b.jpg

When I got to the softball fields I thought I might have the same challenges as with baseball. I did have to shoot the batters from the end of the visiting dug out, but it was nice to see small holes in the chain link to shoot through. One hole was behind home plate and one on the home team side. I had more fun shooting the softball game and felt I got some better shots.

#5 From behind home plate. 1/1000, f/5, ISO 250
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4460280745_92fc52b92a_b.jpg

#6 From the end of the visiting dug out. 1/1000, f/5, ISO 250
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4460295545_768b33c6f0_b.jpg

#7 Called safe at 2nd. 1/1000, f/5, ISO 250
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4461078574_2f507e737e_b.jpg

#8 Through the home side fence. 1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 250
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4460345247_3b2c603405_b.jpg

I am trying to improve in all areas so any C&C is greatly appreciated.

[geoff5093]

I haven't shot baseball yet since it doesn't start until next month, but I would try to get a clean background (#2 is a bit cluttered with the fence and spectators). How much did you crop? A few look like they were cropped a bit too much, or maybe just a tad out of focus.

I love #7 though!

[ChrisK10]

Thanks for the feedback......I agree on #2, I need to use a narrower DOF to get rid of the background clutter. Some of these were cropped pretty heavily in order to bring out the faces of the batters. As I mentioned above I had to shoot from 15' past the visiting dug out so it was necessary to crop.

The one's I thought looked a little off are the ones I tried shooting through the chain link fence. The shots were OK but shooting throught he fence was difficult.

I also agree with you on #7. It was my favorite from the softball game.

[geoff5093]

I'm used to shooting basketball which is much closer, baseball will be interesting with my new 70-200!

[ChrisK10]

I'm used to shooting basketball which is much closer, baseball will be interesting with my new 70-200!


Yeah I just came from shooting basketball and I shot these with my 70-200. I just bought a 1.4x extension so I'm excited to get it and try it out.

nice shots! they are all clear and very nice! thanks for posting this wonderful pictures! keep up the good work


Thank you very much. I figure the more I shoot the better the results.

[geoff5093]

Yeah I just came from shooting basketball and I shot these with my 70-200. I just bought a 1.4x extension so I'm excited to get it and try it out.
Make sure to post some shots! I'm debating between getting the 1.4x or 2x TC, but I'm not sure which brand to get either. Which one did you get?

[ChrisK10]

I bought the Canon 1.4 because a photog friend of mine toldme the 2x was slow. I should get the 1.4 at the end of this week so I'll use it on a few games next week.