13U Baseball - PT 2 - Pitchers (and a question)

Ok, so, last week I posted a question on how you shoot your batters, horizontal or vertical. I was shooting horizontal and cropping vertical.
I found that most everyone shoots their batters vertical ... so I took the challenge (it was most definately a challenge for me, but probably not for most).
My problem is I cut off the bat and miss all the bat on ball shots (which I know many here get tired of, but the parents like them). The bat goes completely out of frame. I find myself cutting of a lot of feet when the batter moves.
Am I zoomed in too far? I figure if I am shooting vertical I should be filling the frame so I don't have to crop. If I have to crop then I might as wells shoot horizontal since I am cropping anyhow?
Please tell me what I am doing wrong, why I can't seem to get this right. It really shouldn't be this difficult.

I tossed most of the batter shots, due to all the cutting of bats and feet.
Here is an example of my problems:
Bat out of frame , and this was a nice hit. Not sure if I would have captured the ball in the frame anyhow but I think I still would have liked it

The problem with bat on ball shots is that you often do not see the players face as he is looking down (hopefully) at the ball on bat. If you try and capture batters just after they have made contact and as their eyes and head come up out of their stance, you can get some pretty great batter shots that parents will also love, plus you will have more success if you are shooting vertical at getting all the batter in frame. Below is a quick example of what I mean (although Im sure I shot this one horizontal), but in any case, we can tell he hit the ball and where the ball went, so we don't necessarily need to see it on bat. Plus with his head up, we see more of his face (albeit in profile in this one). Also, many ball on bat shots (including a couple of yours above), expose bad swings and mechanics of the players (especially the younger ages) and if you get them just after contact, it sometimes provides a more "aesthetically" pleasing photo for the players and parents.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

Thank you. I do understand getting the shot after the hit is important, and I usually get many of those (not this time though, not too many hits in this game lol). I also like to get a few of the bat on ball shots. It's not something I want every time but I would like to get one of each kid during the season, if thats at all possible....and the problem I am having is the bat going out of the frame on the swing when I am shooting vertical, hence my question about shooting horizonal and cropping vertical vs shooting vertical.

Thanks for taking the time to look and give CC

cstewart wrote in post #7755806
The problem with bat on ball shots is that you often do not see the players face as he is looking down (hopefully) at the ball on bat. If you try and capture batters just after they have made contact and as their eyes and head come up out of their stance, you can get some pretty great batter shots that parents will also love, plus you will have more success if you are shooting vertical at getting all the batter in frame. Below is a quick example of what I mean (although Im sure I shot this one horizontal), but in any case, we can tell he hit the ball and where the ball went, so we don't necessarily need to see it on bat. Plus with his head up, we see more of his face (albeit in profile in this one). Also, many ball on bat shots (including a couple of yours above), expose bad swings and mechanics of the players (especially the younger ages) and if you get them just after contact, it sometimes provides a more "aesthetically" pleasing photo for the players and parents.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

#1 - Not a keeper IMO because the batter has poor form in this shot and I'd guess he chased a ball.

#2 - Good if he wasn't fouling it off. I think you could straighten this one and keep the foot, but given the ball position it isn't worth it.

#3 - You like his expression, but he won't like photographic evidence of him chasing a ball at his head height. Horizons as you know, and with that toe cut off already you will loose to much of the batter straightening.

#4 - I like it, but you have no room to straighten. You'll just have to get in the habit of watching that, as it's better to shoot tight like you are doing.

#5 - Pretty good, just a matter of getting the ball in the shot next time.