sports at night. how to make better?

[daviskarenr]

This is my son's baseball team (in yellow). My son is the catcher. What could I have done better?

The specs:

Camera: Sony DSLR-A200
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: +2 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program: Shutter speed priority AE
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Fluorescent

[wamplers]

Why +2 EV? Nothing really wrong with the shot you posted, but I might try to crop out the grey blob in the lower left of the image by cropping down and in from the upper left of the image.

It's hard to get interesting shots of the catcher due to the mask, etc, but perhaps stand down the first base line with a long lens to get his face in the shot instead of his rear. You could also try being down the 3rd base line to try to get him tagging out a runner coming home.

[deltacsar665]

It's a good picture, but the yellow line streaking across the shot suggests that your camera wasn't levelled when the shot was taken, other than that, it's ok.

[wamplers]

Originally Posted by deltacsar665

It's a good picture, but the yellow line streaking across the shot suggests that your camera wasn't leveled when the shot was taken, other than that, it's ok.

That could also be because the camera was not perpendicular to the yellow line and just looks not level; however, looking at the vertical edge of the scoreboard, it appears that you are correct that it is slightly tilted.

[Chip]

Except for the likely tilt, it's technically a good photo.

But, to me, it seems to be a photo of half of a baseball field with some players in it. If possible, try to have your subject be one player, or maybe a player sliding to beat a tag, etc. And getting some faces and eyes can sure help, too. Doing so should make for a more dramatic and memorable photo.

[daviskarenr]

thanks very much for all the comments.

the gray blob in the lower corner was part of the chain link fence (i was shooting through one of the holes). i agree that should have been removed because it distracts.

also, i didn't think of the leveling - and the fence line provides a perfect way to make sure it is level, so thanks for pointing that out.

i went with +2 because since shooting at night it was the only i could see to get the exposure bright enough. i wasn't shooting in RAW because i needed to be able to shoot a lot of quick shots together and my camera shoots RAW much slower than JPEG.

i really appreciate the crititque from everyone!

[daviskarenr]

ok, so i cropped and straightened it, but i don't think it's better. i think it losing something of the perspective when the shadows are gone. what do you think?

[mikedugganphotography]

Technically it is a nice night sports shot. I think your crop in the second image is a bit to tight. You are right that the shadows add to the feel of the image and help to give the image a bit more power. Back out a bit on the crop after it is straightened and cut as much of the gray in the lower left as possible without removing the ump and the shadows. Even if a slight part of the gray is in the shot it will not be a major detractor.

[wamplers]

I hope you don't mind me editing it, but I had something like this in mind. Just let me know if you want me to take my version down, as I don't mean to offend.

[daviskarenr]

Originally Posted by wamplers

I hope you don't mind me editing it, but I had something like this in mind. Just let me know if you want me to take my version down, as I don't mean to offend.

actually, i was hoping someone would edit it. i like to see how others would put a fresh eye to it.