Play Ball!!!

[vcollier2468]

I'm brand new at this. This is only my 2nd post. I took this a few months ago when I first bought my DSLR. I had it on Auto at the time. I edited the picture to crop out a bunch of people that were to the right and tried to adjust the exposure a little. I still think it may be too dark. I tried to follow the rule of thirds here, but I think it's lacking something. Any feedback on exposure, color and composition would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!




Camera Nikon D3000
Exposure 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture f/4.8
Focal Length 125 mm
Focal Length 127.0 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Auto, Did not fire

[brun0sa]

I'm no expert, but where's what I think of your photo:

I like the pose, this expression. Also like the colors, maybe a bit saturated, but I like it.
I don't like the crop, it's too tight... Can you give him a little more space?

Honestly, I don't know if you followed the rule of thirds. Your subject is on the side, not on the lines:
Rule of Thirds
But rules exists to be broken...

[PhilD41]

I would have to agree with brun0sa on this one. The subject is so far over to the right that my eyes aren't drawn to him, but rather the empty field and background. Also, there is just a tad of the base cropped out of the photo. This is a preference, but I prefer to crop enough of an item out to make it look on purpose and fit an artistic feel, or leave it all in. In this case, leaving it all in would provide some much needed space around the subject as well.

As far as the exposure, it may be a tad dark, but if you bump it up much more you will risk blowing out the rim of his helmet. It may be worth it, but you will have to try and see. Depending on the software you are using, you may get what you want by working with the curves as well. Over all it isn't bad though.

Again, a relatively new photographer here so others may disagree. Over all, I really like the image and treatment of it. The composition is the only thing I would change... and maybe the curves and saturation... just a little.

[Mso]

I agree with the others the subject is placed too far to the right and I think the vignette is too dark and shouldn't be covering the player. But I do like the shot.. lovely and sharp and his expression is great, so serious..

[vcollier2468]

Thank you everyone! I had cropped out a few people that were to the right. They were big eye sores. After reading your ideas I went back in and tried to give him more room on the right. I had to clone to get the people out but I'm not too happy with the result. It was difficult to get it right. I did a little dodging and burning to lighten his face and tone down the glare on his helmet and I removed the vignette all together. Honestly, I like the position better, but the rest of it, I'm not sure of (especially my horrible clone job)