A question for the Pro's out there...

Not sure if this is the right forum, so Mod's please move it if necessary!

I have been asked to shoot an even coming up in April that will envolve me being on the feild of a Major League baseball game.

A very close friend of mine works for a Marketing company that has arranged a deal for one if his orginazations to have an annual Haitian Heritage night at the baseball stadium.

He knows that I shoot a lot of portraits, have shot weddings & family gatherings as well, and also a ton of wildlife & nature.

He asked me to photograph the awards ceremony before the game starts, and the National Anthem which will be sung by the orginazations Choir.

My question, is whether I have the right lenses for this event.

I currently shoot with a 17-40L, 100 2.8 Macro & the nifty fifty. I have had great success with this combo, and I feel that it should do the job, but I am wondering if the 70-200 f4L would compliment this scenario. I dont know how close I will be able to stand to the presentations, and I don't want to waste an opportunity.

If you are wondering, they originally had one of the staff members with a compact point and shoot doing the event, and I offered to do it for free since it is for the Haitian donation orginazation, and it could only help my portfolio. So me shooting the event for them should work out to be significantly better than their first option.

Wondering what some of you pro's think, and if you have been in a similar situation and what worked well for you.

Thank you in advance for your help with this, very much appreciated.

joeyCes wrote in post #9607471
Not sure if this is the right forum, so Mod's please move it if necessary!

I have been asked to shoot an even coming up in April that will envolve me being on the feild of a Major League baseball game.

A very close friend of mine works for a Marketing company that has arranged a deal for one if his orginazations to have an annual Haitian Heritage night at the baseball stadium.

He knows that I shoot a lot of portraits, have shot weddings & family gatherings as well, and also a ton of wildlife & nature.

He asked me to photograph the awards ceremony before the game starts, and the National Anthem which will be sung by the orginazations Choir.

My question, is whether I have the right lenses for this event.

I currently shoot with a 17-40L, 100 2.8 Macro & the nifty fifty. I have had great success with this combo, and I feel that it should do the job, but I am wondering if the 70-200 f4L would compliment this scenario. I dont know how close I will be able to stand to the presentations, and I don't want to waste an opportunity.

If you are wondering, they originally had one of the staff members with a compact point and shoot doing the event, and I offered to do it for free since it is for the Haitian donation orginazation, and it could only help my portfolio. So me shooting the event for them should work out to be significantly better than their first option.

Wondering what some of you pro's think, and if you have been in a similar situation and what worked well for you.

Thank you in advance for your help with this, very much appreciated.

I shoot these pre-game activities all the time and have to say no, you need longer glass and would recommend longer than 200 as well. Often I'm shooting with a 70-200 on the side (for pulled back/scene shots) and then a 300 or 400 to get the people closer up. MLB stadiums are different, some will allow you to get out a bit more and closer while others will not. There's TV crews there that need to work and don't want you out there in the shot. Also many stadiums have the "no grass" rule for media - which means you stay on the warning track.

If they do the presentations on the side/back (grass area) a 70-200 would be fine. Often they do it in between the mound and home plate and that could depend on the foul territory dimensions. If using shorter glass would bring a flash as well because you'll have no choice of what angle to be at and no clue if into or with the sun. I'd ask your friend to find out where they usually do it so you can prepare.