Just this last weekend I shot my friends daughter's softball game. This first picture I like a lot, not as much for the action but the expression on the girls face.

The second picture is just a shot of the picture. I shot this one through the fence.

And the last last one is another action shot of a batter.

Jim

Hi Jim, and welcome to the forum. They look good except one thing on he top and bottom shots, too much background, more blur of the background would make it less distracting.
Your timing was great on the bottom shot!
JS

I would agree with the background but both of the shots of the batter were shot at f2.8. I can't go any wider. The pitcher was shot at f3.2. So other then some photoshop work that's as blurry as it can get.

Equipment used was a Minolta 7D with the 70-200 f2.8 APO on a monopod.

Jim

Sorry, but I didn't say thanks for the welcome. Great to be here.

Jim

Ah, OK....odd, that at f2.8 it doesn't give a better background blur. What metering are you using? If you aren't using spot metering try that, it may help as it appears your getting a multipoint metering and it's going off both the batter and the chain link fence. Also make sure your not metering on multiple points.

JS

Now that you mention it I used to use spot metering but changed it a while back. I will give it a try during my next shoot. I have a girls soccer game to photograph tomorrow. Thanks JS for the info. I'll post something after the shoot and going through the pictures.

Jim

Yup Jim, that could be whats causing the odd DOF, the fence being almost in focus is what gave me the idea it may be on multi point for focus.It drops off nice just past the fence. Good luck tomorrow!
I have the day off, ooppsss, I'm off til Friday, then Friday & Sat I have two double headers..... yuk! I don't mind one a week, but that will be 7 games this week, with 3 of them double headers.....And I wonder why shoulder won't heal faster :rolleyes:

JS

Great shots, lovely crisp and clear. Is softball populer?

Ally, yes, most high schools in Indiana have girls softball teams, and since it's now in the Olympics more are getting into it.

JS

They look great except for the background as JS mentioned. If you are shotting at 2.8f then I would suggest a little PS on the background burn it a little to darken and use a little of the blur tool on the background. You got everything else nailed just keep firing.

Nice shots and welcome! Girls softball is a big sport at our high schools.

I read the comments about the background. This is something I've been working on myself. So much to learn and so little time.