Suggestions for baseball or T-ball

hark

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I've been asked to take photos of kids playing baseball/T-ball (Little League) next spring and am looking for suggestions on where to stand and ideas on what parents like to see. Whether I will be able to move around or not is something I don't know although I was told I can stand in or near the dugout.

My lens/cameras include the 70-200mm f/2.8, a 1.4x teleconverter, 24-70mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.8, and both DX and FX. Which combo(s) might work best as I'm not familiar with the size field so have no idea of the distance between the kids and where I will stand. Granted a shallow DOF would be best, but would that be f/2.8, or is stopping down closer to f/5.6 a better idea? And I know a fast shutter speed is required for action. I may have to practice with BBF since I'm not too fond of it for what I generally photograph.

Any ideas or suggestions please especially with focal length and aperture?
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Shot a lot of this, but it's been some time. From memory, I liked a shutter speed of 1/1000-1200 (this is the shutter speed I preferred to get blur of the bat/ball) and aperture of f/5. As to where to stand, some of that will be dictated by where you can stand. For the batter, I liked being down the first base line as most will be right handed. Of course, you will have to contend with coaches and umpires getting in the way. Shooting the pitcher, and those pesky left handed people, third base works. I also like to shoot the pitcher from behind home plate. If you get close to the fencing, manually focus on the pitcher, the auto focus will do well staying on the pitcher and the fencing will disappear - takes a little practice.

Scoring the best shots of the batter came from learning body language. The batters always clenches or tightens up just before the ball arrives. Once I dialed in on this body clenching, I could pretty consistently get the ball in the frame.

The 70-200 and teleconvertor will work.
 

hark

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Shot a lot of this, but it's been some time. From memory, I liked a shutter speed of 1/1000-1200 (this is the shutter speed I preferred to get blur of the bat/ball) and aperture of f/5. As to where to stand, some of that will be dictated by where you can stand. For the batter, I liked being down the first base line as most will be right handed. Of course, you will have to contend with coaches and umpires getting in the way. Shooting the pitcher, and those pesky left handed people, third base works. I also like to shoot the pitcher from behind home plate. If you get close to the fencing, manually focus on the pitcher, the auto focus will do well staying on the pitcher and the fencing will disappear - takes a little practice.

Scoring the best shots of the batter came from learning body language. The batters always clenches or tightens up just before the ball arrives. Once I dialed in on this body clenching, I could pretty consistently get the ball in the frame.

The 70-200 and teleconvertor will work.

Thanks, Moab Man. This is really helpful to know. :encouragement: I've never seen their field since it is back in a residential area. At some point, I want go there with my gear to see how big the area is. It will also help me determine the focal lengths required. I'm guessing the size of the playing area might be about the same size as an elementary school baseball diamond, but perhaps it is a little bigger.

Do parents like photos of their kids out on the playing field? If so, any suggestions such as full body shots? It won't be as easy to get close ups of them out there. Or do photographers tend to take more photos of the kids at bat?
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I have found parents liking a portrait of their kid in the game and everything else being action. Be it sliding into a (or defending) base or hitting the ball.

Might want a small step ladder. Some fields will have fencing.
 

hark

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I have found parents liking a portrait of their kid in the game and everything else being action. Be it sliding into a (or defending) base or hitting the ball.

Might want a small step ladder. Some fields will have fencing.

Ahh...wouldn't have thought about taking a step stool. And excellent suggestions for the action shots. Many thanks!
 

hark

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Another question for you [MENTION=11881]Moab Man[/MENTION] - the woman who is the coach is getting signed permission slips from her team's parents (to grant permission for the kids to be photographed during the game), but what is the proper protocol for kids on an opposing team? Have you ever run into problems with parents who don't want their kids photographed? I don't have time to photograph all the teams and am doing this as a volunteer (I don't have any sports experience so it's a learning experience for me). I would imagine there will be kids from other teams who wind up in some of the photos. Do you have any idea how sports photos are usually handled?
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Another question for you @Moab Man - the woman who is the coach is getting signed permission slips from her team's parents (to grant permission for the kids to be photographed during the game), but what is the proper protocol for kids on an opposing team? Have you ever run into problems with parents who don't want their kids photographed? I don't have time to photograph all the teams and am doing this as a volunteer (I don't have any sports experience so it's a learning experience for me). I would imagine there will be kids from other teams who wind up in some of the photos. Do you have any idea how sports photos are usually handled?

1. I would not have sent home permission slips to be photographed. If they are playing in a public park they are fair game for photography. What I would have done is have the coach tell the parents we will have a photographer on site. If you are interested in any photos she may shoot of your athlete you can reach her at: [email protected]

If you are looking to sell images then you could have a flyer go home that says I am interested in possibly buying photos of my athlete - please focus on them. This way you know who your priority is. This is what I do for football season and have a buy in of $20 down. Then I have a piece of tape on my arm or hat brim (wherever) that shows my all the numbers I need to pay attention to.

2. Opposing athletes. This fall under the fact it's in public. Now, if someone came up to me and asked me specifically not to photograph someone I will consider it and most likely abide unless it's the shot of the game. Or, if they told me there is an actual security risk for that kid then I won't.

3. Hey, what are you doing? As a woman you won't run into this. Some of my shooters are female and they are NEVER asked. However, I will be sometimes.

4. Look the part. I have literally walked into fields where through my own fault have not got the credentials I needed and no one stops me. Look the part and act the part. I will even walk up to the security and ask them for best access to where I need to go. Again, looking and acting the part.

5. Put on a vest that says Photographer or wear a bright green reflective safety vest. The more obvious you are the less people ask. When I wear my vest NO ONE has ever come up to ask me what I'm doing.

6. Have a business card on hand. Easy to tell them you're a photographer and hand them a card. Generally creepy perverts aren't running around with business cards.

7. How to handle the photos at the end. People generally only want digital. Knowing this, I make sure my in camera setup is right so I am not editing. I shoot raw and jpeg. Raw is for my archive and if they come back wanting a collage done of their athlete. The jpeg is what I am selling (below junior high) for $10 (300dpi 8x10). No editing, just cropping, DONE and emailed.

8. I have my print work done at one location because they are a professional local outlet. For this reason I explain that I only stand behind print work that is done at my specific outlet.

Below is an example of why I hold onto my raw files. I was approached after the season for a collage.
20180401_152236.jpg

I hope all of this helps. Feel free to ask any more questions or if you need you can give me a call: George 801-628-8211
 

hark

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1. I would not have sent home permission slips to be photographed. If they are playing in a public park they are fair game for photography. What I would have done is have the coach tell the parents we will have a photographer on site. If you are interested in any photos she may shoot of your athlete you can reach her at: [email protected]

If you are looking to sell images then you could have a flyer go home that says I am interested in possibly buying photos of my athlete - please focus on them. This way you know who your priority is. This is what I do for football season and have a buy in of $20 down. Then I have a piece of tape on my arm or hat brim (wherever) that shows my all the numbers I need to pay attention to.

2. Opposing athletes. This fall under the fact it's in public. Now, if someone came up to me and asked me specifically not to photograph someone I will consider it and most likely abide unless it's the shot of the game. Or, if they told me there is an actual security risk for that kid then I won't.

3. Hey, what are you doing? As a woman you won't run into this. Some of my shooters are female and they are NEVER asked. However, I will be sometimes.

4. Look the part. I have literally walked into fields where through my own fault have not got the credentials I needed and no one stops me. Look the part and act the part. I will even walk up to the security and ask them for best access to where I need to go. Again, looking and acting the part.

5. Put on a vest that says Photographer or wear a bright green reflective safety vest. The more obvious you are the less people ask. When I wear my vest NO ONE has ever come up to ask me what I'm doing.

6. Have a business card on hand. Easy to tell them you're a photographer and hand them a card. Generally creepy perverts aren't running around with business cards.

7. How to handle the photos at the end. People generally only want digital. Knowing this, I make sure my in camera setup is right so I am not editing. I shoot raw and jpeg. Raw is for my archive and if they come back wanting a collage done of their athlete. The jpeg is what I am selling (below junior high) for $10 (300dpi 8x10). No editing, just cropping, DONE and emailed.

8. I have my print work done at one location because they are a professional local outlet. For this reason I explain that I only stand behind print work that is done at my specific outlet.

Below is an example of why I hold onto my raw files. I was approached after the season for a collage.
View attachment 283354

I hope all of this helps. Feel free to ask any more questions or if you need you can give me a call: George 801-628-8211

Thank you so much for the information and the offer to answer my questions. :) And your collage is awesome! I've done a lot of collage posters, but nothing like yours. This one is very impressive. ;)
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Thank you so much for the information and the offer to answer my questions. :) And your collage is awesome! I've done a lot of collage posters, but nothing like yours. This one is very impressive. ;)

Sorry the images is terrible. Quick cell phone image.

Glad I could help.
 
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