christinortham

I have the opportunity to shoot my first minor league game tomorrow evening and fireworks to follow. I have a d7200 and a d3100 and I have a Nikon 18-300mm, Tamron 150-600mm (2g), and a Sigma 24-135mm. We will have free reign of the field, dugout, etc. Any tips/tricks from those of you in the know? Should I bring all of the gear of leave stuff behind?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Wow! Sounds great. I would bring the D7200 and 18-300mm lens. I', looking forward to your posts.

illininitt

Too bad you don't have a Sigma 18-250. It's perfect for shooting sports events!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If you are thinking of taking both cameras, one lens on each, leave the 24~135 home. If only one camera, the 18~300 should do for you. The biggest tip, always be cognizant of where the ball is. Don't get so absorbed in what you are doing as to forget about foul tips that could come right through where are standing.

Anticipate where the play is going to be, even better where the closest play is going to be. For instance, if there is a runner on first, point your camera towards second base. If the ball is hit on the ground, that will be the next play, force at second. You can get the tagged base, the slide, (possible broken up play), and the throw to first all in one photo. You may be taking photographs, but keep you head in the game.
--Bob

christinortham

That's great advice. Thanks!

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

It's a great opportunity you have. Keep in mind that baseball covers more potential territory than any other sport so you have to be prepared to cover it all. Please define "free reign of the field." Baseball gives you some ideas with which to work. Most base running action occurs at 2nd base, which is 90 feet away from either baseline. What lens will let you fill the frame with players at 90 plus feet? The outfielders are the biggest questions of distance but you can be fairly sure that a lens will give you the right fielder will probably not get the left fielder anywhere near as large. You have two bodies so try shooting two different lenses. One thing you do not want to do is turn sports action photos into post card snapshots. You need to get close to the action, which of your lenses allow you to do that? Feel free to experiment with the different "games-within-games", i.e. bullpen action during on-field action, etc. The toughest position player to photograph is the catcher. In addition to the location on the field teams do other things to hide catchers frontal areas. Photograph the catcher's signs and you go to the head of the class! Whatever happen have fun. You will be seeing the game like most others never get to see.

christinortham

Wow. Great tips. Things I wouldn't have thought of. Thank you!

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Position between home and third base for a left hand hitter and between home and first for a right hand hitter to get best angle on hitter. You can also cover the infield from these positions. Put the 150-600 on the d3100 for fly balls or hits to the outfield. Keep the 18-300 on the D7200, this is the one you want on you for hits off the bat to the infield. If a runner is one first you want to be down the third base side to get a play at second on a steal or double play. After a while you will get the hang of it.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Both bodies. Double BR strap. 150-600 for outfield and either of the other 2 for dugout. The 150-600 will capture closeups of the pitcher. Batter etc from a distance.

Practice practice practice.
....for the 150-600-》
1600min shutter speed, 6.3aperature, auto ISO.
Center AF - Servo mode (canon), continuous drive, (learn to use Back button focus if you can assign the AF-ON button to trigger the AF (take the AF off of the shutter button so it doesnt refocus on you)

...and ignore all the advise above if you dont have time to goof around and practice ...use the settings you are comfy with :-)

....and you may want to get a cheap monopod....the 150-600 will wear you out handholding it...

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

I wish you the best...looking forward to seeing your shots.

cthahn

You can only use one lens at a time.

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

As a sports photographer, I have covered the San Diego Padres and the Nashville Sounds (AAA), I can tell you there is a huge difference in lighting between MLB and the minors, especially if you are shooting below AAA. If you have the option, or ability, I would recommend renting a 2.8 lens, otherwise you may be disappointed.

That said, scout your location if you can prior to the game. By that I mean, look for the quickest/best way to get from the third base dugout to the first base dugout between innings. If you are shooting with an emphasis on certain players, make sure you have a copy of the lineup/batting order. If the batter you are looking for is right-handed, you'll want to shoot from the first base side, if left handed, shoot from the third base side. The same applies for right vs. left-handed pitchers.

If your after some nice shots of the catcher, there are a couple of ways to accomplish that. First, pay attention to which dugout he is looking to to get his signs, then post yourself in that dugout. You'll get some great shots of him looking right at you. Secondly, pay attention to him between batters ...he may lift his mask, or reposition the infield with arm gestures, etc. Lastly, with runners in scoring position, always be ready and alert for a play at the plate.

And, as others above have said, always keep your head in the game. If you know baseball, anticipate every situation. Anticipate steals and you'll know the play will be at second; with runners in scoring position, anticipate either a play at home or third base on a ball hit out of the infield, especially if it's hit to right field.

These are just a few tips to get you headed in the right direction. You'll figure what works best as you go along. Each inning is a learning experience and you'll have it all figured out by the 9th inning. ;-) Good luck to you and have fun!

tomcat

I used to cover baseball and softball for the local newspapers. I found my best shots came from the 3rd base dugout position. You can get the runners and the throws going to first, base runners sliding into second, and slides into home. Just remember the earlier posting about watching the ball. When the ball is in the pitcher's hand is the most dangerous time for your eyes to be wandering looking at other things. Why? Because the ball is about to be pitched, put into play who knows where.....so when the pitcher has the ball, forget about anything else going on; otherwise you can get cracked in the head by a foul ball.

bwilliams

Good info so far I also like to stand between 3rd and home and first and home. Maybe from old manual focus days same distance from each base. I like to pre zoom and focus on the base I think the play will be at also.