When Baseball was Important

[mousetraxs]

First of all I’d like to say hello and thank you for looking at my photo.





Camera: D200
Lens: Tamron 17-50 2.8
Focal Length: 38mm
Exposure Mode: Shutter Priority
Metering: Multi-Pattern
Shutter Speed: 1/640s
Aperture: F/2.8
ISO: 160


My thoughts:

I really like the overall feeling of this shot. The light and shadows really make for a warm summer evening felling and I think seeing the batter waiting for the pitch helps to pull you into the scene.

Now here is what I wish I had done differently: I think it would have been better if the main subject was not as centered and the balance seams off (it needs help on the left?). The other thing that I think needs help is although the depth of field is what I like most about this shot I wish the boy in front wasn’t the only thing sharp. So what are your options and is there anything that might help as far as digital editing software goes? Thanks again-

Steve

[morganfam7]

I don't really have any advice other than I just really, really like it. I feel the warmth and safety of childhood. I really like the car on the right side, too. I think you did an awesome job. Sorry I don't have any suggestions!

[FotoMike]

First off let me say that I'm a huge baseball fan, and this photo creates a very nostalgic feeling for me. The only advice i could give is that your subject is complete centered, and for me that is very distracting and breaks the rule of thirds. I dont know if you can shoot this again, but maybe a more of the "over the shoulder" approach to the shot would work a little better.
As for the mood and feel you captured it beautifully, i can feel the dying warmth of the day. What a great game.

[Nicole]

I personally think that while the rule of thirds can be useful, it's not really a rule that has to be followed 100% of the time. That's why I personally think that centering the subject in this shot works. Love the colours, I think that the title is totally applicable to this shot. You've done an excellent job with the mood.

[Transistor]

Well I definitely love the light and mood of this picture... i would be interested to see another with the closer boys neck/head and shoulder framing the shot, but it works very well as it is. Great shot!

[Murtasma]

I think this is a really great image that tells a story but I think the boy in the forground could be placed a little better. I would place him slightly off to the left to fill that dead space a little and releave the feet of the batter. Perhaps a few inches over I think having the pitcher in the center works just not dead center or you could move the batter out to the right alittle to reveal the feet.

The quality of light F-Stop and focus all look like they were selected correctly to tell the story perhaps a few images in the same orientation with the pitcher throwing the ball would be interesting as well.

[Robin Sarac]

I don't know...I think it's fantastic. Yeah, it's centered but it works. The DoF...I like it all. It might be technically a bit unbalanced with the car on the right, but I only noticed that after you pointed it out. All I got was the anticipation of the pitch! Actually having it centered like this almost makes you feel like you can follow the ball to the batter. I really like it.

[mousetraxs]

Thank you all for you replies. I am glad to see mixed views on the subject being centered as I have mixed feelings on if I like it or not. The suggestion on recreating this shot and shifting the subject or myself are good and it will be fun to try. This shot was one of the in the right place at the right time deals. I was taking some action shots of bottle rocket and turn around behind me to see the boy playing ball and just took a quick shot and got what turn out to be a very nice photo. This is why I was in Shutter priority and not Aperture priority.

[pageextent]

What a perfect shot, well done. Love the light and the story telling affect of the image.
Not sure if this would be an 'improvement' per say because I love the shot already. But the DOF may be less of an issue for you if you could see more of the boy and maybe show him holding the ball down low. IF you move over to the right so that it shows the boy more on the left holding the ball and the batter more in the center/right out of focus....and especially having the ball in focus would add a real moment to the shot.

Great pic!

matt