Pony Baseball - Feedback please

Some photos from a game earlier this week. Let me know what you think. These are from an evening game, shot at iso 200-400, f2.8, Sigma 70-200mm and Canon 20d.

I don't really want to bump the iso to 800 but I plan on trying that the next evening game. Hopefully I will be able to eliminate some of the blur when the boys are throwing or swinging their bats. Also ran these through Imagenomic NR once processing was done in LR.

Let me know what you think. Soccer will be coming after this weekeend.

Thanks

Scott

1.

I like #4 the best.

You did a great job capturing their expressions! The action, cropping and exposure is excellent too. .. You had just enough blur to express the motion.. I think it's an attribute to the images. These were really enjoyable.

Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it.

your shots are slightly different in a sense that they show more motion than many sports shooters but IMO, they are equally as good. The focus on #1 is spot on the boys eyes. The motion blur of the bat only adds to the shot.

I wouldn't change a thing to this particular shooting style.

dave

snyderman wrote in post #10127463
your shots are slightly different in a sense that they show more motion than many sports shooters but IMO, they are equally as good. The focus on #1 is spot on the boys eyes. The motion blur of the bat only adds to the shot.

I wouldn't change a thing to this particular shooting style.

dave

Thank you. I am trying to nail their intensity when they are playing. For 8-9 year olds, they play hard. It's a shame some pro's don't keep this look once they make it.

I'l look to post a few more tomorrow. Have to go shoot another game tonight.

Couple more from last night's game. Man I gotta say, imagenomic nr is a decent app, glad i got for my wrestling photos and it's proving to come in handy for baseball. I never imagined I would be shooting iso 400-800 for baseball.

The 20d does a decent job in low light. For me it does anyway. Especially since I am saving up to buy a 1d. By the time I save the money, the will be on Mark 50!

Here are the photos, same settings as above. Let me know what you think.

Scott

1.

There are some excellent images shown here. What is most important with any portrait, action or otherwise is the eyes. Once they are clear and sharp you are most of the way there. With almost all your images, the eyes of the players are pin sharp. Therefore any movement recorded almost enhances the image as it displays the action much better.

With some images here there is a strong blue cast. This is due to the late evening lighting. It would do no harm to warm them up a bit by adjusting the color balance. Add some red and yellow.

I love it when they use MiLB teams for the little guys. I see the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, Bowling Green Hot Rods, and the Quad City River Bandits are represented, that's cool!

dermotlipf wrote in post #10133911
There are some excellent images shown here. What is most important with any portrait, action or otherwise is the eyes. Once they are clear and sharp you are most of the way there. With almost all your images, the eyes of the players are pin sharp. Therefore any movement recorded almost enhances the image as it displays the action much better.

With some images here there is a strong blue cast. This is due to the late evening lighting. It would do no harm to warm them up a bit by adjusting the color balance. Add some red and yellow.

I understand the blue cast. My monitors are not calibrated and I am saving up for a calibration tool. I have learned to focus on the eyes as you stated. It really makes the image pop.

I will work on warming them up. WB is always an issue, but I will work on making a better effort to make them cleaner in that area. Thank you for your feedback as I am always looking to improve.

Sledhed wrote in post #10134290
I love it when they use MiLB teams for the little guys. I see the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, Bowling Green Hot Rods, and the Quad City River Bandits are represented, that's cool!

We also have the "Hooks" and the "Iron Pigs" represented as well.

I love the shot of the catcher in #4 from the first set. It really takes me back to playing ball when I was that age. The gear just never quite fits right...

Just a great series of shots; you really nailed the intensity that you stated you were looking for; as well as the youth of all the players. Number 4 in the second series is really a winner for both

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the feedback. Both good and positive criticism. Saving up for a new body. Either a 7d or used MK III. Hopefully that will help as well.

I am leaning towards the 7d though.