Mi630

I’d like to ask which of these photos would a sports publication prefer? This is Caitlin Clark launching a 3 point shot. Hopefully, Jules will weigh in.
These were taken from the bleachers with a Sony RX 10 IV so they aren’t the quality I could get with a better camera and lens but I can’t take anything better in.

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mnmark Loc: NE Minnesota

While none of them would be ideal due to the side angle of the shooter (not your fault, only so much you can do from the stands) but if I had to use one I’d probably go with the last, it shows maximum extension and the ball coming off her fingers in the second looks slightly awkward.

Mi630

Thanks. I would have loved to be on the floor. I have some shots where you can see the press photographers lined up on the baseline shoulder to shoulder.

btbg

It's really tough to get usable shots from the stands. Best choice to try to do that is from as high as you can go just below the foul line extended. Nothing against any of your photos, but they do not fit what my editor looks for. If that's what I turned in to him he would be pretty ticked off at me, but this is what he would do.

That is not to say that this is a better photo. What every editor I know is looking for is close ups of faces at the peak moment of action without any blank space around the photo. It's considered a bad thing to cut off body parts such as the defenders arm here, but it's considered even worse to have a bunch of blank space. Without a tight crop there is just too much space on the top right, so this is approximately what my editor would do.

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Mi630

Thanks. I know it is not publishable. I basically was wondering if from the right angle, etc. which of the ball positions do these editors prefer.

btbg

They prefer really tight crops more than they care about ball position. Newspapers have less and less space so in order to fit everything in they want as little unused space in their photos as oossible.

They always said to fill the frame but they want even tighter now unless it is a deliberate wide angle shot that shows the crowd in an artistic way.

As to whether or not your shots are publishable that kind of depends on the size of the paper. The smaller the paper the more likely they will publish something like that.

The papers I work for will often take images from non staff photographers as long as they are in focus dont have motion blur are submitted quickly after the event and cover something no staff photographer was at. Thats hiw I got started. I was coaching track and started submitting photos of our athletes at away meets. Some werent very good but thwy were all the paper had so they used them.

Now I dont coach and have as much work as I want. You would be surprised what a paper will take if they have a story with no photos. There is nothing wrong with your photos and a few years ago they might have run one basically uncropped to fill space, bit they no longer have extra space.

Pre covid I had 5 pages twice a week for one paper including photos and text. Now I have 3 pages once
a week for the same publication and still have just as many events. So now its short stories many only on line with a single photo and realky tightly cropped photos in print.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Cool 🧊🧊🧊

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

I shoot for MaxPreps.com Number 3 would be best for filling the frame. Little on the noisy side, Max probably wouldn't take any of these. Thanks keep shooting and practice, practice, practice!!BE SAFE!!

Tom

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

OH yea Jules will probably chime in, if he has time. He is the MAN when it comes to Sport photos. thanks BE SAE!!

Tom

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I like the third shot the best. Your hands are kind of tied being in the stands. Close to the game is ideal but you did well anyway. Good stuff.
Jules

Mi630

Thanks. I appreciate your input. I just never knew if editors like shots with the ball still in hands or just after release. I know these are not “publishable”.