DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

My first attempt at Sports Photography. Middle School baseball game...lots of room for improvement but I'm happy with the shots (especially since I was shooting through the fencing) Lots more opportunities to practice.
I eventually got the hang of not getting the fencing in the photos but in some instances I like the effect..

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

You're doing a great job, DB! Perhaps if you ply the coaches and players with free photos for awhile, they will allow you out from behind the fences! WooooHoooo! :thumbup: :thumbup:

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Going to attend a few of their practices, they might be a little more lenient in that setting. Was a lot of fun to see the intensity on the faces of these kids.

don4u Loc: Southern California

Nice pictures. Talk to the coaches and the players. But keep in mind once you are in front of the fence, Watch out. You bring back a lot of memories. Great pictures.

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

Good set. Stick with it

kruchoski Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Different sports have different challenges, especially regarding access to the field. The "pros" usually try to get a press pass (here in Albuquerque) so they can move in close, position themselves at key spots (like a finish line), and so forth. I used to shoot track & field, and access to the field was quite restricted. (The announcer used to shout over the PA system, "Non-competitors are not permitted on the field. Please move to the stands." I cajoled the officials down on the track, acted like I was one of the coaches, ignored the announcers' rebukes and warnings. (I once actually took a photo of someone else's press pass to see if I could counterfeit one.)

I noticed a wide range in the depth of field in your photos. Typically I shoot in aperture priority mode, with as wide an aperture as I can, in order to keep the background from becoming a distraction. Another benefit of wide apertures (lower f numbers) is that it makes your shutter speed faster (when in aperture mode). A good thing for fast moving subjects, right? (At least most of the time.) The downside to a shallow depth of field is that you have to really pay attention to focus, lest your subject is as blurry as your background. :-(

If you choose to shoot in aperture mode, pay careful attention to your ISO so that you can keep the shutter speed in the range you want: faster (but there's a caveat that I might share another time). Keep in mind that noise ( digital equivalent of film "grain" ) rises as you use higher ISOs. Normally this won't be much of a problem, especially in bright daylight. But if your subjects have dark skin tones, it can become quite noticeable under certain circumstances. You can mitigate that effect through a combination of exposure value compensation, metering mode, and auto-bracketing -- all used judiciously, of course.

Welcome to sports photography. It's a real challenge.

BTW, I have a few sports pics in one of my posts ( "What I Saw" ). Tell me if the backgrounds are distracting, the color is washed out, the subjects are out of focus, or if the noise is objectionably noticeable. (I say this in jest because some of the "pros" criticize my approach... and I ignore them, while graciously accepting the thanks of the parents & students.)

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Thanks for the information. I don't mind others sharing what they do to get better pics. I take most with a grain of salt, mull it over and glean what might work for me. In some of the shots I like isolating an individual player but like the clearer background when there is a play at the plate with several players.. It will take some getting used to but who wants to be so good off the bat there is no room for improvement. Once you reach perfection there is nothing left to achieve....... I do know the parents and the kids were much happier with the results than I was, As for being on the field, this league is very strict and no one but players, coaches and umpires are allowed out there. But that's ok... The 20 foot mesh netting kept me from getting clobbered a few times last night..

kruchoski Loc: Albuquerque, NM

BTW, in addition to my PM to you & the comments in my own topic, I might add my sincere apology if I came off as a know-it-all (there are a few here on UHH). That certainly wasn't my intent. Yes, by all means, make your own judgment about what works for you, what doesn't. Emulate/imitate those whose work you like. Find the shortcuts that make for more, rather than fewer, enjoyable pics for the people who count in your life. :-)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Fun action shots, DB. I really like them!

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Nice photos. Yes the challenge is there. Just practice. One suggestion would be up the speed to at least 500 or 1000 of a second. That way you should see the ball clearer, hence the subject would be sharper. Are you as close to the fence as possible. Can you find spots where there is no fence? Ask the coaches if you can sit in the dugout? Maybe all the way at the end not to get in the way? Just thoughts. Keep on shooting and experiment. Different focusing modes, speeds, iso.

HowardPepper Loc: Palm Coast, FL

There is always room for improvement, DB, but these are great! Thanks for sharing.

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Thank You, Everyone. I appreciate the input. I'm sure the photos will improve as I take more and experiment with all the suggestions.

kruchoski Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I'm sure you will. First, you started with some good ones. Then you were open to others' thoughts. And finally you're willing to keep at it. Best wishes.