Baseball: Help with exposure and focus problems

Shot my first baseball and softball games the other day. No problems

at the softball game, except that nothing much happened. Good action

at the baseball game, but my photos are trash.

 

Exposure during the softball game was easier because both teams wore

blue uniforms and the sky was nicely overcast. Focus was easier

because mainly there was nothing to focus on besides the players.

 

During the baseball game, the sun produced glare on the home team's

white uniforms. The visitor's dark jerseys came out fine, and the

shots aren't overexposed except for the glare. I also have several

photos with sharp backgrounds and out of focus players.

 

I'm a beginner, but I didn't have these problems shooting ice

hockey. The constant motion of hockey probably makes servo focusing

easier, though. I've been using a digital camera and I check the

histogram info frequently. I carry note cards on figuring exposure

and compensation in my camera bag because I'm still learning. As for

the focus mistakes, all I can think of is to be more careful.

 

I'm sure I'll learn through experience, but some tips on taking

baseball pictures might make my immediate experiences a little less

painful. Thanks in advance. Bert

If you meter for (an example) on the second base area, set your camera manually to that f-stop and shutter speed. Then focus on second base and turn off your autofocus. Wait for a slide or throw to second base -- then shoot the image. It's not rocket-building science....

Position, look to see the light, metering and focus point aren't that fast, could you let us know what your shooting with and post a pic?

Whats the rest of the story?

 

Which camera

 

 

focusing mode?

 

Camera settings? -ALL.

 

Method of focusing and when?

 

The more info you give, the more people can help...

Bert shoots a Canon EOS with a 70-200 2.8L or something else (based on his past forays into the forums).