How do I get shallower DOF in sports shot?

[jaziey]

D90
Nikon 70-300 mm f/5.6
ISO 400
11:00AM
Shudder 1/640

I can't seem to get the background shallower. I tried a 70-200 f/2.8 lens with not much luck. Then tried getting a bit closer by leaning against the aluminum fence with a lens hood, still no good.

Jaziey

[wamplers]

1) Get closer
2) Get a longer focal length
3) Use a larger aperture
4) Put the subject further from the background

DOF is a combination of all these things. In the case of sports, you can't do 1 or 4, so that leaves 2 and 3. Perhaps a 200 f/2.0, 300 f/2.8, or 400 f/2.8 would get the DOF you want. The other option is to fake it in Photoshop.

[dakwegmo]

The problem seems to be that the background elements are very close to the main subject. Assuming a standard size field, you're likely at least 140 ft. from the play at first. At that distance, f/2.8 at 200mm will give you a depth of field of about 17ft. or 15ft. f/5.6, 300mm. Getting a longer focal length, or larger aperture are going to be expensive. Getting closer from this angle may not be an option, but if you can get behind home plate you'll be closer, and your background elements will be quite a bit farther away.

[jaziey]

The field is very awkward and it is difficult to get close. There is a brick building behind home plate. I will try to get access inside the aluminum fence. This should get me at least 25 ft closer. Thanks for the feedback.

Jaziey

[jaziey]

I still feel some guilt for what I spent on the 70-200 f/2.8. Can a faster, larger focal length lens be rented for less than a pound of flesh?

[blurryimage]

Originally Posted by jaziey

D90
Nikon 70-300 mm f/5.6
ISO 400
11:00AM
Shudder 1/640

I can't seem to get the background shallower. I tried a 70-200 f/2.8 lens with not much luck. Then tried getting a bit closer by leaning against the aluminum fence with a lens hood, still no good.

Jaziey

If you want to spend a little time in the post processing "darkroom", there are a lot of ways to blur the background. My current favorite is Alien Skin Bokeh. Once you make a selection, you have a lot of options. There are some good tuts on the Alien Skin Web site as well. I have used it a couple of times on some pics I snapped of my son's karate classes that I messed up and got too deep of a field of focus, but this really makes him stand out.