Poses for Little Leaguer's Baseball Cards: I'm shooting some photos of LL baseball game tomorrow. Where Skittles are the only P.E.D.s. My friend, the coach, found out that you can have...

TheDoctor Loc: NoVa

I'm shooting some photos of LL baseball game tomorrow. Where Skittles are the only P.E.D.s. My friend, the coach, found out that you can have Topps, ([THE] baseball card guys, same ones that do MLB) make cards for LL players too. They do stats and everything--just like the real deal.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had thoughts around the best type of photo shot or pose. I know this won't stir the pot and raise the hackles like some of the Canon vs. Nikon debates, but...I'd like to ask opinions on Action Shots vs Posed Shots.

Action Shots, during the game--subject unaware, candid, not staged
vs
Posed Shots, eye contact w/ camera-bat on shoulder, fielding stance, pitch wind up, etc.

Singing Swan

I think whatever the little guys are most comfortable and happy about will work best. Ask the little fellows you're working with. They'll certainly have some opinions to share. I'll bet.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

I'd go and get a set of MLB cards...maybe your home team if you have one and start from there.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

TheDoctor wrote:

I'm shooting some photos of LL baseball game tomor... (show quote)

Coached for several years...and observed several of these photo shoots. Some ideas: if the weather is nice I like the shots with the bat on shoulder in the batter's box, fielders in the ready stance, pitcher with ball in glove looking in for the sign, catcher in the gear (no mask-gotta see the face). When I coached, they were all done on the same day-- along with team photos. You can always shoot the informals as well to fill in for players who missed the shoot. One of my favorite shots is of my son at the LL all-star game hanging on the dugout fence watching the game. Have fun!

TheDoctor Loc: NoVa

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

Coached for several years...and observed several o... (show quote)

Thanks, I'm thinking along the same lines. I'll be having at least as much fun as the kids, maybe more!

TNmike Loc: NW TN

I agree with the posed shots. Every player will not have a great action shot in the game. Plus even if that should happen you will likely not be in the best position to get the shot and if you are outside the fence it will even more difficult. TNmike

TheDoctor Loc: NoVa

Bret wrote:

I'd go and get a set of MLB cards...maybe your home team if you have one and start from there.

Yup, good idea. I've looked thru some current ones and some of my own, of a more "vintage" nature shall we say. Interesting how the photos, composition-wise, have changed over the years. In the good 'ol days the shots were much more portraits, a posed shot, stance, etc. Then seemed to go thru a phase where it was more Action oriented. Still posed shots, but definitely invoking movement and action. Then there are some that are, well, out there; Larger than life and somewhat tongue in cheek.

TheDoctor Loc: NoVa

TNmike wrote:

I agree with the posed shots. Every player will not have a great action shot in the game. Plus even if that should happen you will likely not be in the best position to get the shot and if you are outside the fence it will even more difficult. TNmike

I like the "old school" style player poses. A lot of the kids really like old school, at least as it pertains to Baseball. Old school is cool.

TheDoctor Loc: NoVa

Singing Swan wrote:

I think whatever the little guys are most comfortable and happy about will work best. Ask the little fellows you're working with. They'll certainly have some opinions to share. I'll bet.

Oh, yeah, no shortage of opinions...in the dugout or in the stands. I try my best NOT to be noticed or announced before the game. Don't want the ds mugging for the spotlight. Some of them see a camera and they try to act like the Big League guys. There is a certain innocence with kids playing the game, just for the game, themselves and their team. Won't even go into the parental pettiness, lack of sportsmanship, deal that seems to be on the increase these days.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TheDoctor wrote:

I like the "old school" style player poses. A lot of the kids really like old school, at least as it pertains to Baseball. Old school is cool.

Just don't do them in B&W.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

I coach High School baseball and shoot the game at all levels and the kids dig the staged shots. Try some of them fielding and with a bat and let them decide but most like the fielding shots they look "sick" :thumbup:

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

During the game you should be able to get a few ones...just so they have a choice...posed v/s action.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TheDoctor wrote:

I'm shooting some photos of LL baseball game tomor... (show quote)

"P. E. D.s"?

That's great that Topps will print the cards. There are other companies that print cards like that for special occasions, but they're not Topps.

Tip: If you use brackets in your post, rather than parentheses, it messes up the "Quote Reply" system. I removed them from your original post, so this appears correctly.

TheDoctor Loc: NoVa

jerryc41 wrote:

"P. E. D.s"?

That's great that Topps will print the cards. There are other companies that print cards like that for special occasions, but they're not Topps.

Tip: If you use brackets in your post, rather than parentheses, it messes up the "Quote Reply" system. I removed them from your original post, so this appears correctly.

Sorry for acronym-speak; PEDs -- Performance Enhancing Drugs

Yeah, I think the kids will love the cards, especially so if they're the real deal. It will be a nice end of season wrap up.

Thanks, Jerry

Thanks for the bracket/parentheses tip

TheDoctor Loc: NoVa

BigD wrote:

I coach High School baseball and shoot the game at all levels and the kids dig the staged shots. Try some of them fielding and with a bat and let them decide but most like the fielding shots they look "sick" :thumbup:

Nice shotsBigD, thanks