Baseball Photos Through Chain Link Fence

<p>I was recently at a high school game and was taking shots from the first base line where there was an opening to take shots of the infielders and the pitcher. However, I noticed a professional photosgrapher taking shots from behind the home plate backstop that is surrounded by a chain link fence. I didn't know how he was doing it or how they would turn out. I picked up the local paper for the game and there was a very nice shot of the one pitcher.<br>

Is there a specific way to take shots through a fence? I just figured the opening was far too small to get a decent shot. Any input would be appreciated.<br>

Thanks.<br>

(FYI - I use a Canon XSi with an EF 75-300 mm f/4.0-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens)</p>

 

<p>I have simply put my camera (Canon xti with 70-300 lens) up to the chain link of the backstop. Be careful of the movement of the lens bumping up against the fence as you focus. I usually touch the fence and then pull back just a bit. Here a couple of examples<br>

<img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photonet%202009/IMG_6117.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <br>

<img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photonet%202009/IMG_5892.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>I second Daniel's comments. Here are some shots taken with my 40D and 70-200 f2.8 IS (@f4)</p>

<div></div>

<p>another example</p><div></div>

<p>and another example</p><div></div>

<p>FYI:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/sports-photography-forum/00RAK5">http://www.photo.net/sports-photography-forum/00RAK5</a></p>

<p>WW</p>

<p>I too shoot through a fence a lot. In fact it seems nearly every LL field in my area is surrounded by them! I use a D300 with a 80-200 2.8 WITH the hood on. I change openings a lot but typically find one at the right height and sit the lens hood against it, center it up and shoot away. From time to time I get the edge of the fence in but after some practice it seems normal. Haha</p>

<p>A lot of my shots in the "Baseball" galleries are through a fence. One titled "York LL" was actually shot through a chain link fence with the thick black coating, a little more restricting but still worked.</p>

<p><a href="http://dynamicsportsimages.com/Baseball">http://dynamicsportsimages.com/Baseball</a></p>

<p>Just make sure you use the lens hood!! Even assuming that you have a UV filter attached. I just press the hood against the fence and asdjust to minimize the edges of the fence wire. Got some nice shots last yr of a side arm pitcher!<br>

Steve<br>

Try it, you'll like it!! Keep shootin'</p>

<p>As long as you are pretty close to the fence, the fence itself is pretty well blurred out of the picture since the focal point is so far beyond it, and most fence isn't thick enought to really show up. It will be pretty clear that it is there if the sun is hitting it right, then you get these fuzzy lines in the shot. </p><div></div>

<p>This shot show the fence hit by direct sun that makes it 'visible' as a light gray streak down middle of photo, just to the left of the pitcher's head. The closer you can to the fence, the better.</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks to the others. I forgot to mention, make sure have the lens hood on. And I'll throw in another through the chain link<br>

<img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photnet/BB6.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>I don't do this with baseball, but I do it with cage fights. I take the hood off and push the lens up against the cage and it just fits (24-70/2.8) and I don't get any indication that I was behind something. Unfortunately, it limits movement, and it does mean the camera smacks me in the face if someone hits the cage unexpectedly, even across the ring with some cages. When I can't get up against the cage, I back up and shoot wide open, the cage leaves very slight "shadows" that I can usually take out in PS if it's going to publication.</p>

<p><center><img src="http://www.spirer.com/ccfeb212009/content/bin/images/large/357P8127.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<em>Cage Combat, Copyright 2009 Jeff Spirer</em></center></p>

<p>I'm new to photo.net and the timing of this post could not have been better. I shot an Alumni softball game at a D2 school where my daughter once played. <br>

I thought I'd try shooting through the chain link (with the lens hood attached of course) and was very happy with the results. Thanks everyone!<br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3498873264_8ddc1c8c45.jpg?v=0" alt="" width="357" height="500" /><br>

<strong>D40, 70-300 AF-S VR, <a href="mailto:F13@1/400sec">F13@1/400sec</a></strong><br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3498956686_6f42bf4b7b.jpg?v=0" alt="" width="357" height="500" /><br>

<strong> D40 70-300 AF-S VR, <a href="mailto:F14@1/400sec">F14@1/400sec</a></strong></p>

<p>Shot through the fence. 200mm 2.8L lens I press the front lens hood to fence and fire away.</p><div></div>

<p>Here is one by me, shot through the fence with a Canon 1D with a 70-200 f2.8 Hood pressed up to the fence<br>

<a href="http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/motox424/?action=view&current=SoftballBaseballHurley032-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/motox424/SoftballBaseballHurley032-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></p>

<p>Of course, sometimes a fence can make an interesting effect. </p>

<p>Of course, sometimes a fence can make an interesting effect. </p>

<p>Of course, sometimes a fence can make an interesting effect. </p><div></div>

<p>Caleb, first year T-Baller headin' for home! Shot through the fence with a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8.<br>

<img src="http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/mt_stringer/CalebRoundingThird-480.jpg" alt="" /></p>