TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Yikes the Mom with the big camera shows up at T-Ball and of course I get asked to be the team historian/photographer. I don't mind, but like always my camera makes me look like I know what I'm doing. And I really don't. (I just like big cameras)
Any tips??? Any sports guys out there
One huge question- what are some things they want pictures of?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

What??

Oh, I get it. You're the "Mom," and T-ball is simplified baseball.

You will lots of good advice, but I would say to zoom in and get close-ups. They will probably want posed shots, too. Google will be a big help.

cmc65

First, it would be helpful to know what camera and lenses you have.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Every parent wants to see their own child as the star of the team. So, try and take pictures of the team activity with each kid as the center of attention.
They also like to see their kids at bat and swinging.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Make it easy on yourself. Why ask us what type of photos the team wants. Of course you will get 20 posts of general suggestions but you would do better to ask the team what photos they want. I would also explain to them your limitations.

What camera and lenses are you using? You say a big camera so I am thinking 8X10 or 4X5 view camera, maybe an RB67 or Hasselblad ELM.

Seriously I would think a lens such as 16-85 would work well for closer shots (group shots and portrait type) and a longer lens got outfield shots (maybe 70-300).

Good luck,

Dennis

mawyatt Loc: Clearwater, Florida

A good lens for sports is the 70-200F2.8, if you can get close. In T-Ball you should be able to get close. You want a fast lens because in sports things happen quickly (even T-Ball) and you want to "freeze" the action. Example is capturing a batter hitting the ball and "freezing" the ball off the bat, this might require a shutter speed of 1/1000 or faster. Or a runner sliding into a base where you capture and "freeze" the ball and runner. These can become priceless moments for parents and their kids.

Fast shutter speeds are needed, so try and shoot wide open, which also can create the beautiful background blur you see in pro images. If you have a modern camera with low noise sensors you can increase the ISO which will allow faster shutter speeds for a given light, but since you are shooting outside, you should have plenty of light. Another trick the pros use it to put your camera into burst mode, where it will take sequential images as fast as it can. You simple fire up the sequence with a burst of images and pick the best one or ones. We have all seen the fantastic shots of the touchdown catch with the ball on the receiver fingertips, or the diving shortstop with the ball just entering his/her clove. I used to think these were a one shot capture.

Canon and Nikon make DSLRs especially for these pro sports photographers that have very high burst mode image capture rates, the Nikon example is the D4S. They also have long fast lenses like the new Nikon 400mm F2.8 ($13,000) that are tailored for these applications.

If you are shooting the "Sports Illustrated Cover" which they did when my kids were in T-Ball (long ago), then the standard portrait lens length are in order. These are typically between 50mm and 100mm, the 70-200F2.8 is also a good portrait lens as well as an action lens...probably why it is so popular.

Hope this helps,

Mike

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Sorry - 7D with: 70-200 2.8 L is II will be my main set up. I have like 20 other lenses but that is what I'll probably take with me. I may use a tamron 18-270 or a 100 prime -- I'm a junkie, I have them all.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

I'm thinking you probably have an average pro-Sumer camera like a Nikon D3100 or a Canon T3i but someone who doesn't have a clue thought "wow, a pro camera and hooked you." you probably have kit lenses & don't want to go spend thousands on lenses for T-ball. Just use the longest lens you have, set it on shutter priority and auto ISO, you want a relatively fast shutter speed but not so fast that your photos are underexposed. That should work for the action shots. I doubt the team is expecting professional results just a few memories to keep. Someone else suggested asking the team what they want - good advice. Now take a deep breath and have fun with it.

Walt

Edit: I posted just a bit late. I see you have some pretty decent lenses. You'll do great.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Along with



Yeah.

Enjoy the games and give them a polite "....no, sorry, I can't do it, I don't have the skill-set yet...maybe next year"

Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK

Thanks for explaining that Jerry.

MichaelJonesImages Loc: Newburgh,NY

Your camera gear is perfect for T ball, exactly what I used for last 2 years for little league, 70-200 and canon 7d.
Tips:
-use a monopod as it gets heavy and helps to stabilize and compose shots.
-I bring a 5 gallon bucket with a seat top on it. You can sit on that and also store some gear in it.
-use minimum 1/1000 shutter speed,plenty for tball need higher for older kids to freeze ball.
-overcast days are best pictures,midday sun has a lot of dark shadows under their baseball caps,etc
-BIG TIP - Learn to use BACK BUTTON FOCUS with AI Servo (continuous focus) it has many advantages for sports. Turn off shutter button focus and use rear button for focus. Allows you to focus say on the batter then recompose and you don't have to keep refocusing on the next pitch. When they hit the ball and run to first just hold the rear focus and follow them as you take shots. If someone is going to steal second base, pre focus on second base bag now your ready to hit the shutter release when someone is sliding in to second.
TIMING is the key to capturing the good shots, after some practice you will be able to watch the batter and know when to hit the shutter button to capture the perfect swing and the ball in the picture.

What Type of pictures?
-up at Bat
-running to first
-players at their positions on field
-dugout pictures,kids watching through fence,coaches helping the young players,team shots,players fielding the ball and throwing to first base.
- there is no pitching in Tball but getting the pitcher, catcher for the older kids.
- for Tball my favorites are the kids not paying attention in the field, they are sitting or squatting playing with the sand,grass,etc.

Shooting positions
In Tball almost everything is in the in field with 70-200 you can get everything.

I usually sit inside the fence (if they let you) on first base or third base line,
Usually this is right behind the dugout. I get my batters there and get them running to first. You can get also get the infield plays from there also. Lefty hitters are better to get from third base side.

You can also shoot from outside the fence behind home plate, keep lens hood on to protect your lense, try to center lense in middle of one of the fence holes at 2.8 aperture you won't see the fence in picture.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

These are excellent tips for the OP to use! Well said!

cmc65

These suggestions are on the mark. Three things I would add to this .
first, get a list from the coach of the players. Name, number (if they have one at this level on their uniform shirt) and email address for their parent.
Second, concentrate on getting a good shot of each of those players early in the season, check them off the list. That way when the season progresses and you or they may miss a game you've already got those shots covered.
Third, these are little kids . When you try to get them for a group shot wear a funny hat. (Mickey mouse ears, Huge flower on your head) Something that will catch their attention and they will all be looking at at the same time and in the same direction. Also if you have rows, take the moment to make sure no one's face is blocked and they are looking forward and not at the player behind them. Don't forget to get the coaches in some of the shots.
I've done this type of thing through the years for scouts, soccer, field hockey, band etc for my seven grandkids. And yes I had the big camera, same scenario. A fun thing to do every few games is to go through your pictures and pick out 10 or so to place in a 'slide show' file to save for the end of the season. By the time you reach the end it's easy to put them all together and show them at an end of season party or gathering if your team does that.
Most important of all, don't forget to take pictures of your own child :lol:
Above all, don't forget a second card and extra battery.
Let us know how it goes.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

OMG great advice!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to write it!! I'm going to print it and keep it in my bag!! Thanks again

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Perfect THANK YOU SO MUCH !!! Great advice!! Thanks so much everyone, this will really help !!!! Thank you for taking the time to write
I'm going to study your answers and head to the game today - I may be back with more questions