Tools of the Trade: The Resolving Power of the 300/f2.8
My most commonly used lens for field sports is Canon’s 300mm f2.8 L-series lens. It’s white, a little more than a foot long including lens hood and the lens has a diameter of five inches.
The question I’m most frequently asked: How far can you see with that? How far isn’t always the most of the important aspect of this lens (there are many 300mm lenses on the market) but how clearly I can see it.
I was reminded of this while sorting Saturday’s photos from Forsyth County Youth Football. This frame is only slightly cropped, but is taken with a teleconverter that extends the lens to 420mm:
The amazing part being that my subject is running past me, and I can practically count his eyelashes:
It reminds me of the wasp that I saw from behind first base last spring at a softball game – that was buzzing the hitter:
Yes, those are the legs of the wasp hanging!
Play at Second
Usually around the third inning and beyond in the seven year old and older games I would work first behind first base and later behind third base. In addition to a good vantage point for the batter, I could get a great view of plays at second base.
I didn’t see any 4-6-3 or 6-4-3 double plays this season – but did see some close calls, especially with the seven year old Reds.
Light and Shadow
One of the best tools in a good photographer’s toolbox is the use of light and shadow to help accentuate the subject, or create interest in the viewer.
I love the opportunity to take advantage of the light, or the shadow and create dimension to the photo. The three photos in this post all have their own lighting situation.
With the sun moving from third base, across to first base in the late evening, a left-hand pitcher gets lighting on the face as he opens up to deliver to the plate. With the sun being directional, the outfield and backdrop are in the shadow and much darker than the pitcher, and essentially fade to black.
A Different Spin on Sports Portraits
I’ve been working on the side, outside of my action photography, to develop a strong portrait offering. Several Sundays ago, I had the opportunity to photograph eight-year old Softball pitcher Jessica on the field to create a set of images for a poster.
My goal in portraits is always to evoke the athlete’s natural personality, show their competitive side, and create some unique, powerful images that take advantage of what can be done in portraits versus what is available during a game.
The Gamer
The athlete who puts the team ahead of their own physical comfort is legendary. From Curt Schilling’s bloody sock performance in the World Series, to football player Ronnie Lott having his finger amputated – legends are built on players choosing to continue playing despite injury.
I had never seen this behavior manifest on the youth playing field – until now – in 8 Year Old Softball of all places.
Introducing the surgical boot:
How cool is that?
Pitchers II
Softball pitchers also make great subjects. There is a lot of opportunity to play with framing with the down-low delivery – by varying point of view between high and low, behind the plate, or outside the hitter.
Coachable Moments
One of the great aspects of watching so much Baseball and Softball being played at a young age is seeing all of the instruction from the coaches to their young athletes.
Game Faces II (Midway Park Edition)
In the spirit of last spring’s post on the Game Faces of Norcross Soccer, I present the Game Faces of Midway Baseball and Softball (5 and 6 year olds).
Anticipation
The time at the plate is the most important in the mind of every five and six year old Baseball or Softball player. And when at the plate, all of the time is spent waiting for the pitch.
On the way…
Swing!
