Help for a friend, Softball pitcher.

I think "lugnut45" hit it right from the get go. Perhaps change the angle and try to
pick up some grass somewhere. Wow, a little dry spell and that must turn into a dust bowl!
Take care in changing lens with all that dust. You can shoot through the fence if needed to
get lower. This will call for some post processing to clean up but that's OK.

Joemt.

clarence wrote in post #14382095
He has to start somewhere. I think it works great to post a shot, get feedback, make improvements, post again, repeat...

He can't just delete everything until he's as good as you.

Isn't that the point of asking for feedback though? I gave my feedback. I never said it was a **** photo, I just said it was an awkward pose and what I would aim for instead.

I shoot a lot of **** photos too, I am an expert on those.

My first question is why the pitcher is not on the proper location on the field?

lugnut45 wrote in post #14379472
not that I'm any expert, but here's a few tips.
1. stay low to the ground for a better angle to the pitcher
2. keep an eye on the horizons
3. shoot with apeture wide open to blur the background and allow the subject to pop out.
hope this helps.

Those are good points. The suggestion to shoot tight, crop tighter is very good and shooting in portrait will better allow you to fill the frame with her (tighter shot).

If you have the chance, plan to shoot during the 'golden hour' (first or last hour of sunlight) when the field orientation results in this right handed pitcher being bathed in the golden almost liquid light that is very complimentary to skin tones and will give a very flattering look to this young lady. You might even get to photograph her eyes instead of the sun glasses.

Try this link:

https://photography-on-the.net …868676&highligh​t=softball

These shots were through a chain link fence with a 70-200 at f/2.8

Action fans might not like it but the light in #2 is to die for.

Good light is a huge help.

Phil

It needs to be cropped correctly, first and foremost. Cropping is like 80 percent of sports photography.

Here's my .02...I have a 7D and I shoot in "high speed" mode...manual...high ISO....2.8 to blur background....adjust aperature to my liking and shoot the whole pitching motion from start of movement to completion of pitch....I get a lot to choose from with that one sequence and get some nice shots that parents salivate over, works every time all the time!

mgnike1 wrote in post #14413077
Here's my .02...I have a 7D and I shoot in "high speed" mode...manual...high ISO....2.8 to blur background....adjust aperature to my liking and shoot the whole pitching motion from start of movement to completion of pitch....I get a lot to choose from with that one sequence and get some nice shots that parents salivate over, works every time all the time!

Exactly what I was thinking. Were you in one shot or burst mode? If your shooting sports definitely have it in burst mode. You can still get "the shot" in one shot but its a timing thing that will be learned.

Something like this would be best in burst. It would give you more opportunity to get the shot your really looking for.

Larger aperture, be aware of the background your shooting against so it doesn't distract what the photo is supposed to be of and CROP TIGHT.

That's a VERY awkward looking photo. The angle is strange. I would get more straight on or more on her throwing side. I would try and get her with her throwing hand extended back or as she's coming through a bit more. The background is unfortunate but all you can do is shoot wide open and be diligent about what's behind the subject.

Amazing photo.

vitalboy wrote in post #14428067
Amazing photo.

rofl

ajaffe wrote in post #14430149
rofl

Was going to say that too..

I agree with many here that the point in the wind up is important to capture as well as the angle. Here's a few I shot recently for a Mom...I believe most of the pitching pics were 1/3200, ISO 400, f4.0 (I was using a 1.4x so I lost a stop on my 70-200 IS)

My intent is to make something like this.

ajaffe wrote in post #14430149
rofl

The fellow who made the "Amazing Photo" comment has made that exact same post 30+ times.

Zivnuska wrote in post #14434228
The fellow who made the "Amazing Photo" comment has made that exact same post 30+ times.

Yea, I was going to say that... but wasn't sure if it would be appropriate. After his last "Amazing photo" post he put up an ad in the Sell forum for a 50D...

What is ROFL?