Attitude

[carlina999]

Not sure if this goes in the 'sports' or the 'portrait' area, but since this is a shot of softball players, I'll post it here.

That being said, my question here is simply "does this work". I like the look through the chain-link backstop of the three girls (Pitcher/SS/CF), but have had other input to the negative.

The photo looks better from a distance as you can see the fence as what it is, better than up close. This one was a purely accidental shot so I really like the natural expressions of the three together.

PP: moved the saturation down, uniforms are very green and it added to the mood. White balance, vignette (dark), basic crop and exposure.

Thanks

A
C



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D70
ISO 200; f9.0
shutter 1/320
85mm (18-200)

[dishingthedivine]

interesting shot... I think that the chain link fence is distracting to me, mostly because I don't see it as a fence (at first glance, it just looks like light glares in the photo). I do love the stances of the ladies in the middle and on the left. I feel like the stance of the last girl isn't quite fitting with the mood. Not that you could have changed that, though! I like the changes on saturation.

[wamplers]

Get your lens closer to the fence and it will dissappear from the shot.

[StevenPG]

I think the fence adds to the drama of the picture. I love it. Perfect shot

[MOmilkman]

I prefer the chain link myself. When you are watching a ball game this is what you normally see except the fence has been softened so its not distracting to me.

[wamplers]

Originally Posted by MOmilkman

I prefer the chain link myself. When you are watching a ball game this is what you normally see except the fence has been softened so its not distracting to me.

Really? You prefer seeing the fence versus a clean shot? I suppose it's a matter of preference, but here's one of mine for comparison.


Model: Canon EOS 30D
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/1600 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Focal Length: 240mm

[CaptainNH]

Originally Posted by wamplers

Really? You prefer seeing the fence versus a clean shot

IMO the chainlink works really well to give some context to this portrait. I also think it works well with the poses.

I don't think this is aiming to be a sports/action shot - if it were, I'd want to lose the chainlink too.

I like it very much.

[cphoniball]

I like the chainlink. It's a not often seem element in an often photographed subject, and it's not very distracting at that - it doesn't cover up any important elements and is blurred enough that my eye doesn't rest on it. That said, I do think there need to be more light on the faces of the players, and the vignette is a bit strong for my tastes.

[GadgetRick]

I shoot MMA events and have to shoot through a fence like this. I (personally) don't like it as it tends to be distracting. I think we've all seen enough baseball/softball games to not need the context of the fence.

I also think it's a bit too green. I know this was the effect you're looking for but it just doesn't look right to me. Of course, this is also another personal preference.

Overall, I like the pic. Even the girl in the back right has her head tilted like, "You lookin' at me?" I like the, "attitude," of the pic very much. Seemed to have captured an interesting moment very well for sure.

[Hartzler]

I've returned to this image several times. It's attractive. If judge it as a traditional sports shot, it doesn't exactly work. But then, traditional sports shots don't work for every audience.

I like shots with lots of emotions and action. Coaches like shots that show their guys winning. Newspapers tend to want clear faces and expressions. And guys playing are less concerned with face and even action, they judge it on how well it shows a particular elements of the play, is so-and-so doing this move correctly.

In this case, even though it involves baseball players, I think I need to ask myself does this work artistically. The composition is strong, I love the expressions and poses. Even the girl in the background makes you pause and evaluate what her stance and expression means. It has a sort of old-time feel to it.

I think the blurred chain link adds to the atmosphere of the shot. The brown of the earth hints at Sepia. What's not working for me personally is the green color cast on the uniforms themselves. I would remove the color case using a layer and layer mask so you're just fixing the actual uniforms.

Regardless, it's a nicely composed shot. It definitely held my attention.