Jerry no one else is giving us this education.🙏 I enjoy wildlife photography and started some sports photography (little league/intermural) just to practice my technique. I shared the images with the players and family members for free and they started asking me for prints(I charge them a small fee)because they liked them so much. I shoot from either 1st or 3rd base and use a small 4 Ft. step stool to get a little elevation or I lay on the ground for a little dramatic look.
Thanks for watching Longrider! Hope this helps as you continue to dabble in some sports photography! And no doubt some of the concepts you use for sports will help for wildlife (and vice versa!)
I've been shooting my son's little league games for three years and it took me a few years of trial and error to figure all this stuff out. Thanks for the explanations!
This is the best video I have seen on this subject. It is too bad you did not mention the best choice lens size from each location. That is very important information. Thx
I shoot travel baseball. One of my favorite positions is that I use a cannon RF 1200 mm lens, and I shoot from a tower located 465 feet in straight away center field back to home plate, and I get some green shots. I also shoot from inside and outside the first base position, and I do get some great shots.
I only recently tried sports photography. I'm a hobbyist who can't love only one genre! LOL! Anyway, I shot some photos at a HS baseball game and basically shot from two different spots. A few shots behind the plate and the rest from inside first base. I was kneeling next to the dugout so I was also able to get some shots in there. I don't have a big prime or zoom yet. But, I got some nice shots with my XF90mm f2 on my X-T3. I watched your tips video about getting good focus and I would say that besides SS, know the game has to rank up there as very important, not only for focus but also for good content. Thanks for your videos.
Thanks for posting this. I'm shooting my first Michigan baseball game this weekend and will surely use these tips. Been a while since I've shot baseball, so thanks for helping shake off some rust.
Great tips! Thank you. I'm watching this after shooting more than half of my son's little league (coach pitch) games. I have come to love the first base side, and not just because the team has ALL righty batters. Shooting from the third base side feels like I'm always behind the play. One spot I have come to love, that you couldn't shoot for MLB, is from the outfield. I've even tried a couple panorama stitches with a long lens.... I think one worked :)
Thanks. You've given me good ideas for various shots for an upcoming shoot (local high school). And to my surprise I'm a subscriber of your excellent Weber Q grilling channel, Chicago Griller. Been a follower for years.
Too funny. My subscriber base isn’t THAT large compared to others. But yes, this is my day job whereas the Chicago Griller was my pandemic hobby that turned into a regular hobby (the videos there are easier to produce because well, you gotta eat!)
Jerry, I enjoyed your assessment in this video. I've only shot one high school baseball game years ago. My longest focal length was a Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 lens. I have added wildlife photography to my skillset and have purchased some telephoto equipment that will work well with sporting events. Thus my rekindled interest in sports and my finding of your video. I've subscribed to learn more. Thanks.
Great info! For a baseball Mom who loves to take pictures as a hobbie for my high schooler!! This is really helpful I can’t wait to try all your tips!!! Thank you so much!!
Great video! Learning a ton from you. Shot youth baseball today. I try to move around to different positions for a variety of photos. Only challenge is that there are fences all the way around. Easier for the older kids when I can anticipate things like pick offs, double plays, etc. A little harder on the younger kids outside of shooting the batter.
Hi Brian, glad to hear this. Yeah, it's hard to shoot through the fence. You can be tracking the action, and think you have it but when you look at it later it's all distorted or out of focus. You are right though, at least with older kids and higher levels the action and direction will be more predictable. Anyways, thanks for watching!
I enjoy your videos. Keep them coming! I've used a D500, 70-200 for years with decent (outfield) to great (infield) results. I finally bought a used D5 and 400mm/2.8 for HS football and now looking forward to HS baseball/softball where I have free reign including inside home, 1B dugout. I agree with your inside 1B spot as that's where I used to camp out for most of game. It has great access to batters and infield, but the home HS field setup has fans', rear access bleachers where my only access is army crawling under where I have plenty of room between bleachers and net. However, that 400mm is a beast and I don't see my 58yo body readily getting in and out of there like I need. Is the 400mm too much reach inside dugout or even outside 1B? I plan to have my 70-200 near my hip. I'll probably run by there and scope it out to see.
I agree with all the spots ...I usually shot 1st base outside as most batters are righties and if a lefty comes up I usually head over to the 3rd base outside spot... and I do get some behind home plate mostly of the pitcher but if I get on one knee and angle the camera up towards the batter and get their swing it motion it tend to turn into a nice picture .... Also another spot I like to be sometimes is the 1st base FARRRRR outside lol like 10 yards behind 1st base to capture outfield plays.
Hey Kevin T, thanks for watching. Outside 1B is usually where I end up, as one of the parks here in Chicago doesn't even have an inside 1B spot, and in the other park it's usually reserved for TV. You are also right, being FAAAAR outside helps with plays in the OF, but can also give you a little bit of a bonus - you have a better chance of getting the bang-bang plays at 1B.
I have one spot for shooting the batter and catcher at high school games. Outside center field. The only problem is that requires a LONG lens, as that is quite a reach to home plate. I use a 300mm lens on a micro 4/3 camera, which is similar to a 600mm lens on a Full Frame camera. In addition to home, you can also catch the runner home to 1st, 1st to 2nd, and 3rd to home. 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to home are running away from you, so no face. My next place is outfield on the right foul line. I have a shot down the right foul line to the batter, IF the ref is not standing on the line blocking that shot. I get the batter hitting the ball and a head on shot of the batter running to 1st. But like the center field position, it requires a LONG lens. I like your 1st base side positions. I used to do a clockwise circuit of the field. I think I will try a counter-clockwise circuit the next time, and do the outside 1st position earlier in my circuit.
Jerry great video, you bring up lots of great points. I shoot both College for a local team and Highschool for a Magazine. I have been fortunate to have access to any place on the field that is safe for me to be for College games. Sometimes, I am actually in my teams dugout. This actually gives me access to a combination - Inside 3B and Homeplate, which sets me for plays at second and CF/RF diving catches as well as interesting angles on the RH pitcher and plays at 1st base.
Jerry, I'd love to see some comments on how other photographers of high school baseball and softball deal with base coaches who wander all over the place and get in the way. This is a problem in every game. In fact, three days ago, I missed a great squeeze play between third and home because---you guessed it--the third-base coach was in the way.
Appreciate that Paul! Well you never know, I know the MLB has recently started staging games in London in hoping to build the sport up! If they succeed and it takes hold, you will be ready! :-)
I usually move around a bit spending most time inside first. Shooting at Navy I get a little closer to home and get a cool view of the batter and in the background is the video board with their photo name and info.
Sounds like you got some cool angles there at Navy! I wish there was a better way for me to incorporate some of the background elements where I shoot - in particular at Wrigley - but the photo wells are not positioned in a way to get that iconic scoreboard in the frame. Anyways, thanks for watching and have a terrific weekend!
I do like your choices although have a problem with refs and base coaches getting in my way at times. I like the team side as I get some good shots of celebrations of dug out shots.
How do you go about becoming a photographer for baseball games? Is it more of going out and taking photos on your own then posting them or what’s a good starting point?
Hi Adolfo, I have been a Canon user almost my entire career, so I do have a lot of insight into using their system. I'll put it on the to do list. Thanks for watching!
Awesome video Jerry! I just accepted a photo internship in the MLB and I'm so excited to get back out to the ballparks this season. I just watched your video on the original Canon 1d as well, I'm looking at picking up a 1dx for the season. Do you have any thoughts on where that body stands in 2021? I'm also considering the 5d iv and 7d ii, and possibly the 1dx ii if I decide I really need that much camera.
Congrats on the internship! Funny you mention the 1Dx, I actually had a fully scripted video about how that camera is still a great camera in 2021, even though being 9 years old now (but then the Sony a1 came out and then couple that with the R1 and Z9 rumors). That said, I think you are going to have a better experience with the 1Dx1 or 1Dx2 vs the 5D/7D line. They are just so much faster and snappier for sports. Best of luck in your internship... very exciting and hopefully our work will cross paths!
@@JerryTLai Thank you! If you're ever in Cleveland we just might see each other! I feel like I'm being pulled closer to the 1dx ii, I have been looking at sample images from the mark i and think I won't be very happy with the low megapixel count coming from a nikon d500 and sony a7riii.
Hi Jerry! Really love your videos. For all of these positions, are you working with a 70-200, or a longer focal length? I know field dimensions and exact positions change, but I am just curious about your general use lens/lenses from these positions.
Glad you enjoyed the videos! Lenses are always the tricky part, but it's where you should make your investment. You can often find deals if you go the used route, which is what I did when I first started. A good rule of thumb to use when deciding what focal length works for you, is about 10 yards per 100mm of reach. So with a 70-200, 20 yards is about as far as you should be from the action, otherwise your crops will likely be a bit too aggressive. So I find a 70-200 will work decently for most indoor sports, but for outdoor field sports you will need to be able to move around a bit, or wait for the action to come to you.
@@JerryTLai I've been shooting a fair amount of indoor sports (basketball/volleyball) with my R6 + EF 70-200 f2.8 II and that's been a lot of fun. Thanks for the reply! I'd bet I could take some good photos at high school baseball games with my current set up 😁
I’ve just started shooting NCAA College baseball, and due to lens length restrictions, rented a Nikon 300mm f4 PF ED VR. Mounted on a D850, I got incredible results. Probably the most underrated lens Nikon makes. Great video!
I shoot for a local high school and I try to shoot at least one home inning from left center field where I can stand and shoot over the fence. Typically, I use a 100-400 R6 with a doubler. My goal is to try and get the ball coming off the bat and can usually get all bases and both left and right handers. Just don't get good pitcher images.
Hey Ron! Thanks for watching. Truth be told, left center field is a fun spot to shoot from if you want to go for a great walk-off celebration photo. The photographer with the Cubs has two Sports Illustrated covers shooting from left field because of that!
With the variable aperture of the 100 400 canon, does the doubler close your aperture down to much. I have the 100 400 mk2 and a 1.4x converter with a 1dx2 and was curious about the teleconverter being usable or not.
@@michaelgracephotography8308 Since these are typcically day games it works fine. I shoot with an R6 and/or R3 and at 1/1500 or 1/2000 and my ISO can be 12800 or higher. I'm wide open at f/11. I generally post on Facebook so grain isn't a paricular problem but if I were to print or if I have time, I'll run them through Topaz DeNoise. I've also used the 1.4x on occasion, as well .
Hi Andy! Thanks for watching. I don't have a specific video with locations to shoot elevated, but I did a video with general tips and reasons why to shoot higher. Check it out here if you haven't found it already: th-cam.com/video/uTAjb5cyV8w/w-d-xo.html
Here the issue is all about accreditation and access. As an accredited pro you can bring your pro level gear into the venue and gain access to the best spots. The rest of us get ourselves throw out of the garden for bringing in a pro camera and not being accredited.
Jerry no one else is giving us this education.🙏 I enjoy wildlife photography and started some sports photography (little league/intermural) just to practice my technique. I shared the images with the players and family members for free and they started asking me for prints(I charge them a small fee)because they liked them so much. I shoot from either 1st or 3rd base and use a small 4 Ft. step stool to get a little elevation or I lay on the ground for a little dramatic look.
Thanks for watching Longrider! Hope this helps as you continue to dabble in some sports photography! And no doubt some of the concepts you use for sports will help for wildlife (and vice versa!)
I've been shooting my son's little league games for three years and it took me a few years of trial and error to figure all this stuff out. Thanks for the explanations!
Great job man. A very well detailed and informative video without dragging it unnecessarily long. 👍🏼👍🏼
I enjoyed the video, thank you for taking the time to help others.
This is the best video I have seen on this subject. It is too bad you did not mention the best choice lens size from each location. That is very important information. Thx
I shoot travel baseball. One of my favorite positions is that I use a cannon RF 1200 mm lens, and I shoot from a tower located 465 feet in straight away center field back to home plate, and I get some green shots. I also shoot from inside and outside the first base position, and I do get some great shots.
I only recently tried sports photography. I'm a hobbyist who can't love only one genre! LOL! Anyway, I shot some photos at a HS baseball game and basically shot from two different spots. A few shots behind the plate and the rest from inside first base. I was kneeling next to the dugout so I was also able to get some shots in there. I don't have a big prime or zoom yet. But, I got some nice shots with my XF90mm f2 on my X-T3. I watched your tips video about getting good focus and I would say that besides SS, know the game has to rank up there as very important, not only for focus but also for good content. Thanks for your videos.
Thanks for posting this. I'm shooting my first Michigan baseball game this weekend and will surely use these tips. Been a while since I've shot baseball, so thanks for helping shake off some rust.
Hey Luke, thanks for watching! March baseball in Michigan sounds COLD! Brrrrrrrr!
I really like this video. I shoot baseball and softball so these tips were helpful. I basically use what you have said here. Good stuff.
Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!
Great tips! Thank you.
I'm watching this after shooting more than half of my son's little league (coach pitch) games. I have come to love the first base side, and not just because the team has ALL righty batters. Shooting from the third base side feels like I'm always behind the play. One spot I have come to love, that you couldn't shoot for MLB, is from the outfield. I've even tried a couple panorama stitches with a long lens.... I think one worked :)
Thanks. You've given me good ideas for various shots for an upcoming shoot (local high school). And to my surprise I'm a subscriber of your excellent Weber Q grilling channel, Chicago Griller. Been a follower for years.
Too funny. My subscriber base isn’t THAT large compared to others. But yes, this is my day job whereas the Chicago Griller was my pandemic hobby that turned into a regular hobby (the videos there are easier to produce because well, you gotta eat!)
Jerry, I enjoyed your assessment in this video. I've only shot one high school baseball game years ago. My longest focal length was a Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 lens. I have added wildlife photography to my skillset and have purchased some telephoto equipment that will work well with sporting events. Thus my rekindled interest in sports and my finding of your video. I've subscribed to learn more. Thanks.
Hey that's how I got started. I got invited to shoot one game, and was HOOKED!
Excellent explanations!!!!
Great info! For a baseball Mom who loves to take pictures as a hobbie for my high schooler!! This is really helpful I can’t wait to try all your tips!!! Thank you so much!!
Great video! Learning a ton from you. Shot youth baseball today. I try to move around to different positions for a variety of photos. Only challenge is that there are fences all the way around. Easier for the older kids when I can anticipate things like pick offs, double plays, etc. A little harder on the younger kids outside of shooting the batter.
Hi Brian, glad to hear this. Yeah, it's hard to shoot through the fence. You can be tracking the action, and think you have it but when you look at it later it's all distorted or out of focus. You are right though, at least with older kids and higher levels the action and direction will be more predictable. Anyways, thanks for watching!
Thank you for the video. I'm shooting my first college ballgame tomorrow.
Awesome! Hope you have a great shoot!
I enjoy your videos. Keep them coming! I've used a D500, 70-200 for years with decent (outfield) to great (infield) results. I finally bought a used D5 and 400mm/2.8 for HS football and now looking forward to HS baseball/softball where I have free reign including inside home, 1B dugout. I agree with your inside 1B spot as that's where I used to camp out for most of game. It has great access to batters and infield, but the home HS field setup has fans', rear access bleachers where my only access is army crawling under where I have plenty of room between bleachers and net. However, that 400mm is a beast and I don't see my 58yo body readily getting in and out of there like I need.
Is the 400mm too much reach inside dugout or even outside 1B? I plan to have my 70-200 near my hip. I'll probably run by there and scope it out to see.
I agree with all the spots ...I usually shot 1st base outside as most batters are righties and if a lefty comes up I usually head over to the 3rd base outside spot... and I do get some behind home plate mostly of the pitcher but if I get on one knee and angle the camera up towards the batter and get their swing it motion it tend to turn into a nice picture .... Also another spot I like to be sometimes is the 1st base FARRRRR outside lol like 10 yards behind 1st base to capture outfield plays.
Hey Kevin T, thanks for watching. Outside 1B is usually where I end up, as one of the parks here in Chicago doesn't even have an inside 1B spot, and in the other park it's usually reserved for TV. You are also right, being FAAAAR outside helps with plays in the OF, but can also give you a little bit of a bonus - you have a better chance of getting the bang-bang plays at 1B.
Can you do some tips for night games if the lighting in the park isn't that great 🤔
This is a great idea for a video that I had not thought of. I'll add this to the list!
I have one spot for shooting the batter and catcher at high school games. Outside center field. The only problem is that requires a LONG lens, as that is quite a reach to home plate. I use a 300mm lens on a micro 4/3 camera, which is similar to a 600mm lens on a Full Frame camera. In addition to home, you can also catch the runner home to 1st, 1st to 2nd, and 3rd to home. 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to home are running away from you, so no face.
My next place is outfield on the right foul line. I have a shot down the right foul line to the batter, IF the ref is not standing on the line blocking that shot. I get the batter hitting the ball and a head on shot of the batter running to 1st. But like the center field position, it requires a LONG lens.
I like your 1st base side positions. I used to do a clockwise circuit of the field. I think I will try a counter-clockwise circuit the next time, and do the outside 1st position earlier in my circuit.
Jerry great video, you bring up lots of great points. I shoot both College for a local team and Highschool for a Magazine. I have been fortunate to have access to any place on the field that is safe for me to be for College games. Sometimes, I am actually in my teams dugout. This actually gives me access to a combination - Inside 3B and Homeplate, which sets me for plays at second and CF/RF diving catches as well as interesting angles on the RH pitcher and plays at 1st base.
You're lucky to have that dugout access! Sounds like a lot of good vantage points from there!
Jerry, I'd love to see some comments on how other photographers of high school baseball and softball deal with base coaches who wander all over the place and get in the way. This is a problem in every game. In fact, three days ago, I missed a great squeeze play between third and home because---you guessed it--the third-base coach was in the way.
I love the outside 3rd base position.
So incredibly helpful! I just got a Sigma 150-600mm lens and will be shooting one of my daughter's college games tomorrow. This helped so much!
Glad these tips helped! Have a good shoot (or at this point, hope it was a good shoot!)
Your videos are great! Thank you very much!
Glad to help! Thanks for watching!
Hi Jerry , must say great vid I watched to the end even though I don't shoot Baseball in this country(U.K).
Appreciate that Paul! Well you never know, I know the MLB has recently started staging games in London in hoping to build the sport up! If they succeed and it takes hold, you will be ready! :-)
Thank you for another excellent video!
My pleasure, thanks for watching!
Wow am i excited to see you!!
Glad you found me! IG friends now YT friends :-)
I usually move around a bit spending most time inside first. Shooting at Navy I get a little closer to home and get a cool view of the batter and in the background is the video board with their photo name and info.
Sounds like you got some cool angles there at Navy! I wish there was a better way for me to incorporate some of the background elements where I shoot - in particular at Wrigley - but the photo wells are not positioned in a way to get that iconic scoreboard in the frame. Anyways, thanks for watching and have a terrific weekend!
I do like your choices although have a problem with refs and base coaches getting in my way at times. I like the team side as I get some good shots of celebrations of dug out shots.
How do you go about becoming a photographer for baseball games? Is it more of going out and taking photos on your own then posting them or what’s a good starting point?
Great video
Hey Jerry, thanks for the great tips. Do you shoot in Jpeg or Raw? I've been debating which would be the best for this upcoming college summer league.
Please make a video about camera equipment. Canon please. Thanks. Great video
Hi Adolfo, I have been a Canon user almost my entire career, so I do have a lot of insight into using their system. I'll put it on the to do list. Thanks for watching!
Awesome video Jerry! I just accepted a photo internship in the MLB and I'm so excited to get back out to the ballparks this season. I just watched your video on the original Canon 1d as well, I'm looking at picking up a 1dx for the season. Do you have any thoughts on where that body stands in 2021? I'm also considering the 5d iv and 7d ii, and possibly the 1dx ii if I decide I really need that much camera.
Congrats on the internship! Funny you mention the 1Dx, I actually had a fully scripted video about how that camera is still a great camera in 2021, even though being 9 years old now (but then the Sony a1 came out and then couple that with the R1 and Z9 rumors). That said, I think you are going to have a better experience with the 1Dx1 or 1Dx2 vs the 5D/7D line. They are just so much faster and snappier for sports. Best of luck in your internship... very exciting and hopefully our work will cross paths!
@@JerryTLai Thank you! If you're ever in Cleveland we just might see each other! I feel like I'm being pulled closer to the 1dx ii, I have been looking at sample images from the mark i and think I won't be very happy with the low megapixel count coming from a nikon d500 and sony a7riii.
Hi Jerry! Really love your videos. For all of these positions, are you working with a 70-200, or a longer focal length? I know field dimensions and exact positions change, but I am just curious about your general use lens/lenses from these positions.
Glad you enjoyed the videos! Lenses are always the tricky part, but it's where you should make your investment. You can often find deals if you go the used route, which is what I did when I first started. A good rule of thumb to use when deciding what focal length works for you, is about 10 yards per 100mm of reach. So with a 70-200, 20 yards is about as far as you should be from the action, otherwise your crops will likely be a bit too aggressive. So I find a 70-200 will work decently for most indoor sports, but for outdoor field sports you will need to be able to move around a bit, or wait for the action to come to you.
@@JerryTLai I've been shooting a fair amount of indoor sports (basketball/volleyball) with my R6 + EF 70-200 f2.8 II and that's been a lot of fun. Thanks for the reply! I'd bet I could take some good photos at high school baseball games with my current set up 😁
I’ve just started shooting NCAA College baseball, and due to lens length restrictions, rented a Nikon 300mm f4 PF ED VR. Mounted on a D850, I got incredible results. Probably the most underrated lens Nikon makes. Great video!
I shoot my daughter’s fastball and am lucky to go wherever I want mostly but my favourites are yours plus I like shooting from the dugout.
I shoot for a local high school and I try to shoot at least one home inning from left center field where I can stand and shoot over the fence. Typically, I use a 100-400 R6 with a doubler. My goal is to try and get the ball coming off the bat and can usually get all bases and both left and right handers. Just don't get good pitcher images.
Hey Ron! Thanks for watching. Truth be told, left center field is a fun spot to shoot from if you want to go for a great walk-off celebration photo. The photographer with the Cubs has two Sports Illustrated covers shooting from left field because of that!
With the variable aperture of the 100 400 canon, does the doubler close your aperture down to much. I have the 100 400 mk2 and a 1.4x converter with a 1dx2 and was curious about the teleconverter being usable or not.
@@michaelgracephotography8308 Since these are typcically day games it works fine. I shoot with an R6 and/or R3 and at 1/1500 or 1/2000 and my ISO can be 12800 or higher. I'm wide open at f/11. I generally post on Facebook so grain isn't a paricular problem but if I were to print or if I have time, I'll run them through Topaz DeNoise. I've also used the 1.4x on occasion, as well
.
I shoot women baseball. Thanks Jerry for the tips!
Glad to help!
With Covid-19 affecting photography at my school, App State, we are put in the stands. Do you have any tips from shooting up higher?
Hi Andy! Thanks for watching. I don't have a specific video with locations to shoot elevated, but I did a video with general tips and reasons why to shoot higher. Check it out here if you haven't found it already: th-cam.com/video/uTAjb5cyV8w/w-d-xo.html
If only allowed in one spot during a game, definitrely inside first!
Agreed!
Here the issue is all about accreditation and access. As an accredited pro you can bring your pro level gear into the venue and gain access to the best spots. The rest of us get ourselves throw out of the garden for bringing in a pro camera and not being accredited.
I'm sad sir jerry lai 😭
Hi jerry lai
Does your TH-cam videos earn money
Not yet. For now, it's all for entertainment, teaching myself new skills, and giving back to the photography community.