Softball Pic fire away

Ok here is my deal

If I put it at high ISO people say its to grainy
If I put it on a high ss people say its too underexposed
if I put it on 2.8 people say there is no DOF or focus
If I put it on a low ss people say its blurred

I have tried most of the suggestions here
all of my manual pics look a lot darker than with sports or av or tv mode
but I cant get any of those to give me a decent iso , fast ss, and a higher f stop all at the same time
maybe Im doing those wrong?

I will simply tell you what my routine is if I'm shooting somewhere I've never shot before. I know the shutter speed I want, depending on the sport. I set the camera to manual, set the shutter speed I want, set ISO and simply raise the ISO until I get the exposure correct. In daytime, I always shoot at 3.2 or 3.5, just to get that extra bit of sharpness in the shot. Noise can be dealt with, especially in a properly exposed shot. A noisy, underexposed shot is pretty much dead. I've been doing this for awhile now and I still learn something new every time I go out so don't get too down.

From the first part of your post, it almost sounds like you don't have a full understanding of exposure. Without that, everything else is going to be difficult.

Do you every encounter pros at the events you shoot? If so, I'd try and get some one on one help with someone experienced. It's sometimes hard to execute things you learn/read online on your own.

What camera and lens?

What's wrong with f2.8? Heck shoot f1.8 if you have to and adjust your focus point appropriately.

Harleypugs wrote in post #14091767
What camera and lens?

canon 40 d 70-200 2.8 canon IS II

Do you sharpen you shots at all in post? The reason I ask is I had a couple 40D's and they produce soft shots. They just do. The files do take sharpening well though.

I sold my 40D's because I was never really happy with them. I know people say to work with what you have....but I shot 10's of thousands of shots with mine before I gave up on them. Your mileage may vary.

I disagree, probably just a different experience for different folks but I don't think my 40D produces soft photographs at all.As far as the photo goes I think the horizon is a bit off

I am sure you are right. Different experience. Post up some of your shots and lets see. The couple I had just never worked out. The AA filter in the 40D is rather strong...hence the soft images. The 30D was so much better. I sold my 40D's and picked up 30D's and they performed up to my MKIII in sharpness. So.....who knows. I can loook through my sports shots and pick out 40D shots everytime.....everytim​e....so who knows.

Nevermmind...I found a post of yours with baseball. You don't need to post any up. If you are happy with them then that is all that matters.

Im never happy with much of my work
if that was directed at me

and Im thinking like you are
is the 40D soft?
I have it maxed out on 7 on sharpness in the menu

If you try AV mode...
Set your f/stop at f/3.5. F/2.8 - f/3.2 if you are in low light.
Adjust your ISO accordingly until you get your shutter speed up above 1000 sec. I like better than 1/2000 if possible. Don't be skeered of ISO 800 or 1000.
Bump you exposure compensation to +1/3 stop. That helps get the light under the caps.
Shoot in RAW. Much easier to adjust your exposure and other tweakings in post processing.
I use Lightroom 3 for all of my sports pics.

Now for the pic you posted...
Straighten your horizon (in PP).
Shoot the pitcher from the other side of the plate (from straight on to 90 deg angle).
Here are several examples of what I am trying to explain:
Example 1: http://www.michaelhend​ersonphotography.com …565377&k=MWkqbp​D&lb=1&s=A
Example 2: http://www.michaelhend​ersonphotography.com …566238&k=pCKqw3​3&lb=1&s=A
Example 3: http://www.michaelhend​ersonphotography.com …009652&k=G3PRJS​R&lb=1&s=A

Hope some of this is helpful.
Mike

thanks Mike
great stuff as always
I have more pics
http://www.photoreflec​t.com …/thumbpage.aspx​?e=8443388

look if you like
Im working on the being straight thing
I hate those straight lines in the background
when I straighten the pic in PP it goes to snit

again thanks for all your help guys
I know your time is valuable

If we ever meet up first one is on me

burnet44 wrote in post #14092168
Im never happy with much of my work
if that was directed at me

and Im thinking like you are
is the 40D soft?
I have it maxed out on 7 on sharpness in the menu

No sorry...it was Phased...

its cool
Im still not happy with my stuff lol
thanks HP