OK, I know that seems like a very odd post title for this blog! (Though I do photograph certain sports from time to time and I always carry my camera when I go to Giants games – come to think of it, sometimes the photography is more interesting than the game. But I digress…)
I mention all of this because I just read through a very informative post at the Digital Photography School blog. The post (“How to Photography Baseball”) by Darren Rouse contains almost more information than I can absorb – well worth bookmarking if you think you’ll be doing this sort of thing.
Having spent a little time shooting Minor League Baseball games (ok, three full seasons) I was interested in the article. For a casual photographer who brings his camera to a game, there is a lot of overkill. But if you are seriously shooting a game, there is lots good stuff here.
If I were to distill it down to what I think are the most important elements, it would go something like this. There is always going to be a pitcher and a batter. You can shoot the pitcher from behind the plate or from the side that he is facing (down the 3rd base side for a right handed pitcher and down the first base side for a lefty). For batters it is going to be to opposite. Definitely get the line ups and figure out where you want to be before hand.
There are always plays happening at first base. It is predictable. Pick off plays are a good way to get both teams involved in the shot. The first base side is usually best for this, though you can get good shots from the pitchers point of view down the 3rd base side.
There are other predicable plays, like the home run congrats. Be ready for them.
Keep both eyes open. One through the view finder and the other on the game. This will help you when you are trying to catch a swing or catch a tag out on the pickoff.
Shoot fast and often. If you can get a way with 1/2000, do it. You won’t be able to pull it off in most night games.
Of course, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the game.
In my time shooting games, the part that I have enjoyed the most is getting to know the players and sharing shots of them doing what they love to do.
I could probably go on, but I won’t.
Cool, Tom! Thanks for sharing that, and I think I can digest your summary a lot better than I can digest the longer article to which I linked.
Although most people probably think of me as a landscape guy, I’m a closet sports shooter. It would be a kick to shoot baseball. I really enjoy shooting bicycle racing – since I used to be a pretty serious cyclist. I have enjoyed shooting wind surfers a few times – need to get back and do that again. Although I usually don’t photograph my backpacking and hiking buddies on our trips, I’ve got some plans to work on that, too.
Dan