Put Me In, Coach!

I have photographed baseball since I was a boy… youth, high school, college and the pros. Every other time my spot has been behind the plate or near 1st and 3rd base (the traditional locations). I was given the opportunity to photograph at Dodger Stadium from the TV camera position in center field.

You bet, I said yes!

Centerfield is 400 plus feet from Home Plate. One view for the whole game. Changing light with no way to move and adjust. How do I make interesting pictures?

How do I tell a story? I accepted the challenge, packed my kit and went to the ball game. ITFDBB.

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I scanned with my eyes looking for images. The stadium view is impressive with the 24-120mm. CLICK!  The action is right in front of you…. just like on TV. Pitcher, batter & catcher are right there (with an 800mm lens). Every swing and miss and every hit… CLICKITY, CLICKITY. How many swings are needed to capture the story? A bang-bang play at First. Ohtani slides into Second added to the mix. Now we’re building some variety! A profile of a player is a unique opportunity that works. My story is starting to come together.

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What’s next? Scan the crowd. Look for people who stand out. Who will separate from the background? Look for great light. Click, CLICK, click. The collection is growing and becoming an interesting photo story. Do you agree?

How did I make the pictures?

Gear:

Nikon Z9

Z 24-120mm 4

Z 800mm 6.3

Monopod

Settings:

Manual Mode 1/2500 f 6.3. ISO 400-1600.

Matrix Meter

AF-C.  People Detect Focus. Wide-Area-S. 20fps

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The Z9 is a super-hero of a camera for sports, action and wildlife. Tracking faces, intelligent exposure and fantastic color. The Nikon Z 800mm 6.3 was surprisingly crisp, nimble and fast. The 800 tracked and captured the action reliably and could have been hand-held! At ~130 yards I was concerned about atmospheric distortion (especially shooting on a summer day over grass) but the photos are razor sharp with great color! The files were easily processed to share.

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My day at the ball game was challenging. With some skill, a little luck and big heap of technology I have some pictures to share and a story to tell. Don’t sell your stories short. Accept the challenge, use the new technology, wait fore some luck and make the pictures you desire. I am ready, are you?

“Put me in, coach

I’m ready to play today

Look at me, gotta be Centerfield!”

John Fogerty

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