Side-arm delivery

[Ag2Au]

First post for critique...

I took this with Canon XTi, 70-200 f2.8L IS with 2X extender about two hours before sunset. Lucky timing to catch the arm in full 'coil'.

Settings:
Exposure Mode: Shutter Priority
Exposure Bias: F/1.0
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec
Aperature: F/10.0
ISO: 1600
Focal length: 165.0 mm
Metering: Pattern
White Balance: Auto

The pitcher is was my target. I used 1600 ISO and fast shutter speed to catch the motion and to offset the backlighting of the sun. The resulting aperature gave a deeper field than I anticipated, so I ended up with the first baseman somewhat in focus.

My questions:
1. Could I have done anything different to offset the backlighting?
2. As for framing the shot, should I have lined up without the other player in the background?
3. Should I be saving as a RAW file to allow better editing? My concern is that I don't want to slow my burst rate and I typically take 200-300 shots/game (memory use).

Any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance.
Darrell

[RTrain]

My arm is hurting just looking at that.

[Ag2Au]

Yeah. I cringed when I first saw it. My son grabbed a copy and put it on his myspace... his buddies are flipping over it.

[RexK_Cozumel]

Looking at your settings I would have used a slightly smaller aperture and a lower iso and a slower shutterspeed. Really you dont need 1/1000 of a second to stop the motion 1/500 would have given you the same picture and would have allowed you to use a lower iso to avoid noise. also a slightly larger aperture (f6-8) would have put more focus on the pitcher giving the player behind him a nice blur.

over all tho it is a good catch.

[Ag2Au]

Thanks Rex. That was my first game with new 70-200 lens. Since this shot, I've learned the ISO/Aperature/Shutter speed relationship and am looking forward to adjusting as you recommended.

[smc1377]

I second what Rex is saying above. And even if 1/500 does allow for a little arm motion blur, I think it would actually add to the photo to show just how fast his arm is moving (similar to how showing wheel rotation blurs give the sense of a fast moving car).

[Lebowski]

Neat photo: the foreground player looks like he has a broken arm, and the background player is missing a foot. Didn't know baseball/softball was such a violent sport. :)

Although if you were going for a more conventional shot, I think it would work better without the player in the background.

[sideeffects]

Yup Rex nailed it, there was no need for such a hight ISO. Bringing down its value could have allowed for a larger apature setting and more blur for the background. Nice picture though! How do you like the 70-200 such an amazing len! I love mine!

[Ag2Au]

Thanks Lebowski. I hadnt' even noticed the 'missing foot'. I plan to use a lower f-stop in the future to blur the background player. (I don't think the coach would appreciate it if I ask the first baseman to move over for my shot...) I thought including the extra player in the background would add "game feel" to the shot, but without a tight focal length, I see how his presence detracts. Thanks again!

[Ag2Au]

smc 1377 and sideeffects,
Thanks. We've got a game tomorrow, and I'll be using the lower ISO/f-stop. I've always tried for the 'freeze frame', but I see the value of a little blur.

As for the lens - I LOVE IT!!! One of my problems had been sunset/evening games. The f2.8 really keeps me shooting after the lights come on. The size is a little intimidating, but I'm getting used to it.

[smc1377]

(I don't think the coach would appreciate it if I ask the first baseman to move over for my shot...) I thought including the extra player in the background would add "game feel" to the shot, but without a tight focal length, I see how his presence detracts. Thanks again!

Don't be too quick to delete the player from the background. You're very correct that the extra player adds that game feel. Having shot for sports photography companies, they like having the extra player in the background, but somewhat out of focus so that you can clearly tell which player is the focal point. Potential buyers really like this, especially if that other player was actually in game mode and not just standing around.