Catcher

[smurfette]

Deep breath.... okay, I'm new here, new to trying to take photographs, rather than snapshots... so I thought I would submit one, and see what people have to say. Any input and suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

[arne saknussen]

The look on the boy's face is what sells this shot, such concentration, so you did capture the moment very well.
What is distracting is the leg in the upper right. However, I do think I like the hands on the upper left.

[n8]

I'm sure you'll catch some flak for him being so centered, but that's ok. I think if you cropped him vertically just behind his knee that could look interesting.

[smurfette]

The look on the boy's face is what sells this shot, such concentration, so you did capture the moment very well.
What is distracting is the leg in the upper right. However, I do think I like the hands on the upper left.

Thank you! I agree that the leg on the right is distracting. I don't know how to take it out though, or if it's even possible to do so.

[smurfette]

I'm sure you'll catch some flak for him being so centered, but that's ok. I think if you cropped him vertically just behind his knee that could look interesting.

Behind his right knee- as in cutting his rear end off? Or cropping behind his rear?

[Greg McCary]

I tried cropping a couple of ways but didn't like it. Sports shoots are just going to have background distractions it is part of it. But I agree it is centered try and remember the rule of thirds. Also a little more on the bottom would have helped. You did capture a very nice moment.

[mtbbrian]

Your timing was great, you captured a great moment.
It's just that subject is way too centered for starters.
I think you have way too much depth of field as well.
Welcome to PR.com!
Brian

[smurfette]

I tried cropping a couple of ways but didn't like it. Sports shoots are just going to have background distractions it is part of it. But I agree it is centered try and remember the rule of thirds. Also a little more on the bottom would have helped. You did capture a very nice moment.

What is the rule of thirds?

I can definitely see that more on the bottom would be nice.

Thank you for your input!

[smurfette]

Your timing was great, you captured a great moment.
It's just that subject is way too centered for starters.
I think you have way too much depth of field as well.
Welcome to PR.com!
Brian

I just learned about depth of field a few days ago, so I will definitely be playing with that as I go forward. Thank you for your comments!

[Greg McCary]

What is the rule of thirds?

I can definitely see that more on the bottom would be nice.

Thank you for your input!

You can google the rule of thirds and get tons of info. Basically you are not suppose to to cemter your subject, horizon. ect Place your horizon in the lower or upper third of the shot. On this picture it would have worked better if the catcher was on the left, third of the frame giving room to the right. Eliminating the stray leg all togther. Once you practice the rule of thirds you will start to naturally compose your shots and not even think about it.

[arne saknussen]

Do you mind if I crop and then post?

[smurfette]

Do you mind if I crop and then post?

Not at all! Go right a head.

[smurfette]

You can google the rule of thirds and get tons of info. Basically you are not suppose to to cemter your subject, horizon. ect Place your horizon in the lower or upper third of the shot. On this picture it would have worked better if the catcher was on the left, third of the frame giving room to the right. Eliminating the stray leg all togther. Once you practice the rule of thirds you will start to naturally compose your shots and not even think about it.

Thank you. I will look it up!

[Pose]

Very cool moment of concentration you've captured.

Like some others have said, if you could redo this you might want to have him shifted to the left with some more room on his right (where he is gazing). I'd also play with the DOF, putting more of the focus on the boy (and less on the background distractions). You could do this in Photoshop or whatever you use for editing, and also straighten out the picture as it appears tilted.

Jared

[SmartWombat]

This is great, the concentration really shows, and you have the EYES which are really important. I agree a little more room below his feet is needed.

If you are using the centre AF point because it's the most accurate, then use the half-press of the shutter (or the AF button if you have one) to lock the focus, then recompose the picture while the focus is locked.

I would crop from the left to remove the blue leg and put him more to the left in the image, as he's looking to the right. I'm not sure the vertical crop works so well.

[arne saknussen]

These crops were fairly close to what i came up with, so no need for me to post them. I agree that the vertical works the best.