What a boring shot!

How about having him toss the ball up and catch it, but instead of following the ball he looks at the camera. Any baseball player should be able to do that without difficulty in catching the ball. Then youll have the ball in mid-drop. And a 'different' look/pose

You say you don't like to shoot from below... That could be a problem for me since most athletes are typically larger than average, and I'm 5'4" (when I'm wearing thick socks). I may have to add a step ladder to my camera bag.

Probably the best pitcher picture I have seen was of Nolan Ryan Decking Robin Ventura several years back. However, these type shots don't happen too often.

thekid24 wrote in post #2974336
How about having him toss the ball up and catch it, but instead of following the ball he looks at the camera. Any baseball player should be able to do that without difficulty in catching the ball. Then youll have the ball in mid-drop. And a 'different' look/pose

Funny you should mention that. IndyJeff told me the same thing, but added, "who cares if he catches it?" After I snap the shot of the ball in mid-air, the viewer will just assume he was tossing it up and catching it, whether he does or not.

I don't know how to make them better, one because of the fact of the staging effect. But one thing I did notice that immeditaly popped out to me in this picture was the background. The scoreboard to me is very distracting. I know that may be not the comments you are looking for, but I just don't like it. I would put the in the outfield shooting toward the plate, if the sun is in the right position. I did this with my son last year and they turned out great (except the fact my son doesn't like his picture taken) Experiment with different poses.. There are many things you can do to make them a little more interesting. One I took before that I liked was posing them at a little angle, with the bat over the shoulder away from you, with the infield in the background. It made the frame of it more interesting. If it was taken better, with a better subject I would send you a copy to see what I mean lol.. You can't go wrong with experimenting.. I am learning that.. It all depends on the mood and the age group you are taking.

Although I shot it with the scoreboard in the background intentionally, I think I'd have to agree with you. It does distract more than it adds doesn't it? Very good observation.

There's nothing wrong with a traditional shot... it looks fine to me. I would have wanted a smile, but either way the pose is fine.

Phil Light wrote in post #2974364
You say you don't like to shoot from below... That could be a problem for me since most athletes are typically larger than average, and I'm 5'4" (when I'm wearing thick socks). I may have to add a step ladder to my camera bag.

ha, guess I have the advantage of being 6'1" - 6'3" depending what convenient store I'm walking out of and sometimes doing splits to get down to guys levels

You could try to darken the sky and use fill in flash for some atmosphere. takes some trial and error to get the background/foreground looking OK.

I would suggest heading over to Strobist.com and do some reading.

I do a lot of off-camera flash stuff for portraits like these with a radio-triggered Nikon SB-28 speedlite fastened to the end of a monopod or on a light stand with an umbrella (or not). I also tend to shoot portraits with a 70-200 f/2.8L telephoto lens because they are generally more flattering for the subject and offer a great blurred background. I also try to carry a stepladder with me to portraits "just in case".

jrjphoto wrote in post #2993790
I would suggest heading over to Strobist.com and do some reading.

I do a lot of off-camera flash stuff for portraits like these with a radio-triggered Nikon SB-28 speedlite fastened to the end of a monopod or on a light stand with an umbrella (or not). I also tend to shoot portraits with a 70-200 f/2.8L telephoto lens because they are generally more flattering for the subject and offer a great blurred background. I also try to carry a stepladder with me to portraits "just in case".

All excellent suggestions. I haven't been to Strobist for probably 6 months. I need to get back there and do some studying. Thanks for the reminder!

Phil,

The points about the step stool are a good one, I keep a turtle stool with me in the car, just in case. I'll never forget last year I had to do a portrait shoot of Lennox Lewis for his HBO announcing job. I'm 5'5", Lennox is 6'6", pretty comical, stool worked out well...

muls wrote in post #2994561
Phil,

The points about the step stool are a good one, I keep a turtle stool with me in the car, just in case. I'll never forget last year I had to do a portrait shoot of Lennox Lewis for his HBO announcing job. I'm 5'5", Lennox is 6'6", pretty comical, stool worked out well...

I guess it's a cross to bear for those of us who are vertically challenged. I try to compensate by being incredibly cute.

Phil Light wrote in post #2997335
I guess it's a cross to bear for those of us who are vertically challenged. I try to compensate by being incredibly cute.

LOL, yes sir.