Stayin' Alive

Batters hitting baseballs are often difficult photos to get, but with persistence and a little luck, you will get your picture.

Colby's Brady O'Brien fouls off tough pitch to keep his at-bat alive vs. Thomas College.

The Photo
It's far from easy to photograph a batter hitting a baseball. A pitched ball is traveling 70-100 miles per hour, and then much faster after making contact with a bat, so you have to time the photo perfectly.  Hitters are wearing helmets and often crouch down in their stances, so you need to stay low, perpendicular to the hitter, and slightly forward, in order to see the batters' faces. And to avoid being hit by baseballs, you have to stand back, using a long lens to get a clear enough photo of the action.

Colby College was playing its 2024 home opener against crosstown rival Thomas College, with Thomas taking a 5-4 lead in the 3rd inning, but Colby rallying with the next 7 runs to win the game 11-5.  While I photographed fielding plays and outs at the bases, I concentrated on taking as many photos as I could of batters making contact.  Using a 300MM lens and 1/1000 shutter speed to freeze the fast action, I stood directly perpendicular to the hitter, crouched down low so I had the best view of batters' faces, and shot repeatedly. Some pictures had the bat making contact with the ball but the player's face wasn't clearly visible, while others had great views of the player's face but the timing of contact between ball and bat wasn't quite right.  In this at-bat, the Colby hitter was making contact, handling difficult pitches, and when he lunged to foul the pitch off, I had an unusual photo of his face, swing, body language, and the ball ricocheting off the dirt.

Please remember to also try photographing softball, where the ball is bigger, the speed is a bit slower, and you are closer to the action.

3 Tips

1. Frame the photo as either the batter's full body or waist up, perpendicular from the side and slightly forward, crouching down low to see as much of the batter's face as possible, and using a long lens with a fast shutter speed of around 1/100.

2. Start shooting your photos as the batter begins to swing, and take lots of shots of many hitters, because you'll miss on the majority of your picture attempts.

3. Try to capture the batter's face with the bat making contact with the ball, but because the action happens so fast, you'll also get many unexpected variations of unusual batting stances, swings, bat and ball locations, facial expressions, and body language, any of which might make for a great picture.

"I Disagree"

A coach's argument with game officials often shows memorable facial expressions.

Colby coach Damian Strahorn shares his opinion with the referee.

Nowhere to Go

Great defense can make powerful basketball photos.

Colby's Liam O'Connor (0) leaps high to block a shot by Bowdoin's Alex Halpern (3).

The Photo

Basketball season provides many wonderful opportunities to capture both great sports action and sports feature photos, with numerous scoring plays and reactions to each, especially in a close game or battle between rivals.  I usually prioritize the action early in the game, and after getting my action shots, switch my focus (no pun intended) to player actions and facial expressions.

In this New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Men's Basketball contest between Maine cross-state rivals Bowdoin and Colby, Bowdoin was ahead until Colby rallied with under 5 minutes to go in the game, using a tough defense and bulls eye shooting to eventually win the contest 72-62. Throughout Colby's rally, I sat under the basket, capturing game action of Colby players driving to the hoop and frequent rebounding collisions, but also kept an eye on Colby's tight defense at the other end of the court with a long lens. On this play, the Bowdoin player leaped high to shoot, but the taller Colby defender also jumped high to smother the shot.

3 Tips

1. Basketball defensive plays can happen anywhere on the the court -- under the basket, near the sideline, at center court, at the far end of the court, etc., so stay vigilant.
2. Photo opportunities include leaping to block a shot, diving for a loose ball, colliding on a drive to the basket, fighting for a rebound, or something completely different, and you can choose different vantage points that makes each photo more powerful and dramatic.
3. Spectacular feats or action are the best photos, but intense facial expressions can transform a good action photo into a truly great shot.

We've Got It !

Photographing a softball or baseball catch requires almost perfect timing, but is a terrific sports action shot. 

Colby 3rd base(wo)man Emma Burnham (17, left) and shortstop Brenna Forbes (1, right) pursue foul popup as Burnham makes the catch in 2-0 win vs. University of Southern Maine.

The Photo

Because fielders making catches in softball and baseball provide some of the best action pictures of these sports (along with plays at the bases), I spend the bulk of my time watching and photographing the fielders.  Softball’s bigger ball and smaller field often give you more close-up photo opportunities than baseball, making it one of my favorite sports to shoot. 

 

Colby College was outplaying the University of Southern Maine (USM) in this intrastate softball match, making a number of strong defensive plays and holding USM to only two hits, so I had multiple chances for great fielding shots.  On this play, the USM batter hit a foul popup deep to the 3^rd base side.  The nearest Colby fielders at 3^rd base and shortstop hustled in tandem as fast as they could to make the catch, although initially it didn’t seem like they’d get to the ball in time.  I was ready to photograph a diving catch attempt by one of the Colby fielders, but they both got to the ball quickly, and the 3^rd base(wo)man was able to make a great over-the-shoulder catch on the run, although the shortstop probably could have reached it in time, too. I photographed the ball in the air just before the catch, with the two of them stretching for the ball and the shortstop’s intense concentration showing on her face.

 

3 Tips

1.    The best photos of softball or baseball catches have the ball in the air just after the catch the ball is not as visible.

2.    Capture the player faces as well as the ball in the air just before it hits the glove because it shows the peak moment of action.

3.    Softball often provides stronger pictures than baseball because the ball is larger and much more visible in the photos, plus the field is shorter so you get more close-up shots.

Drive Time

Photographing basketball from the sideline perpendicular to the basket, can provide some of the best close-up basketball action pictures.

Colby's Max Poulton (1) drives through the lane for a layup past Wesleyan's Shane Regan (30).

The Photo
Many basketball pictures are photographed from under the basket, and some from the center court sideline, but I've found that some of the very best can be captured from the sideline perpendicular to the basket with a long lens. This is often a difficult shot to get because you need close-ups of a couple of players in the photo, without anyone blocking your view, with their faces turned toward you, and both the ball and basket clearly visible, too.

At this Men's Basketball game between Colby and Wesleyan, I was initially shooting from under the basket, and getting some decent pictures. However, after a constant series of layups and rebounds, I was certain I could get stronger photos from the sideline, even though those images are tougher to get. So I moved to the sideline directly perpendicular to the basket, set my Zoom lens to around a 105MM focal length, and looked for a close-up of player action with their faces, the ball, and basket all in the photo. I stayed patient, despite many photos not working out because of players blocking my view, referees getting in the way, and player faces covered by their arms. I kept at it and finally got lucky with this very tight shot of a Colby player driving through a crowd and laying the ball in for 2 points.

3 Tips
1. Position yourself on the sideline perpendicular to the basket using around a 105MM lens or so, instead of only photographing from under the basket from where too many basketball pictures are shot.
2. Try to capture drives for layups, rebounds, or put-backs, but be patient because you'll miss many shots as players block your or you can't see their faces.
3. When it works out, you'll capture a close-up of one or several players in action with both the ball and basket visible.

Sky High Catch

Exceptional fielding plays at first can be some of the very best baseball action photos.

Colby College first baseman Cabot Maher leaps high to grab a line drive for the out vs. Bates College.

The Photo

Colby College's baseball team was facing cross-state rival Bates College, who had a runner on first with no outs, and was hoping to start a rally.  The game was played in Spring, 2021 during the COVID pandemic, so players wore masks throughout the games to ensure their continued safety, but it made playing more challenging for the athletes.

Plays at first are too often routine, as the first baseman casually catches the ball before the runner arrives, and pickoff plays are rare, so photographers tend to ignore most action at first. However, when the Bates batter fouled a ball toward first, I decided to train my camera on the Colby first baseman, in case he had the chance to make a play.  Luckily for me, the Bates batter hit a hard line drive on the very next pitch, and the Colby first baseman leaped high into the air to snag it for the out, although he couldn't land fast enough to beat the runner diving back to first to get a double play. But this catch stopped any Bates momentum, and Colby went on to win the game 12-4. The powerful photo was a good reminder that first base action can provide outstanding pictures, too.

3 Tips

1. First base plays are often routine and uninteresting, with the first baseman easily catching the ball as the runner approaches the bag, so photographers often don't shoot much first base action.

2. When a batter tends to hit the ball toward first base, focus your camera on the first baseman, since that's where the ball is likely to be hit next.

3. Spectacular fielding plays by the first baseman and pickoff plays will create terrific first base action photos, so photographers shouldn't ignore first base.

Cheering section!!

Volleyball bench players often stand, cheer, and encourage their teammates throughout the entire game, making for terrific emotion and reaction photos.

Colby College volleyball players on the bench cheer their on-court teammates during a match vs. interstate rival University of New England.

The Photo

It seems most college volleyball teams have bench players standing throughout the entire match, supporting their teammates who are out on the court playing. The bench is constantly active, loud, enthusiastic, and emotional, with many of these players rotating frequently on and off the court, almost never taking a break to sit down.

 

Volleyball players are already very expressive and emotional, as the ones on the court cheer, high-five, and congratulate one another after nearly every point, providing great photo opportunities of game action, happy reactions, and ongoing celebrations. However, the bench players react intently too, frequently in unison with intense expressions and body language to motivate their teammates to victory. Sometimes, the bench will demonstrate the wave, execute a sequence of gestures, coordinate cheers, or react randomly to the play, nearly always with passionate facial expressions.

 

In this match, Colby College fought fiercely throughout against Maine intrastate rival University of New England (UNE), winning the first game, with the Colby bench loud and animated throughout.  I shot many photos of the bench players, but this picture conveyed their intensity and enthusiasm, along with a little humor.  Unfortunately for Colby, UNE rallied to win the three successive games and the match 3-1.  

 

3 Tips

1.     Volleyball players may be the most emotional athletes of any sport, with terrific facial expressions as they cheer, celebrate, and react to practically every moment during the competition.

2.     Volleyball bench players often stand and cheer for their teammates throughout the entire match, with their own unique reactions and expressions, often very different from players on the court.

3.     By monitoring and photographing the bench players, you can capture group shots of facial expressions and body language, to supplement the action and reactions of on-court teammates.

Our Hero!!

Fan reactions and interactions often create extremely powerful sports photos.

Enthusiastic fans hug Colby College football player Asher Inman (center) after a 23-20 win over interstate rival Bates College.

The Photo

When a school’s football team plays one of its biggest rivals, fans are eagerly ready to celebrate every positive moment throughout the contest. And if the team defeats this big rival in a close, exciting match, after an afternoon of high emotion, player and fan reactions will be especially intense after the win, making for many photo opportunities of emotional reactions.

Naturally, you’ll first want to capture images of exuberant players, either throughout the game, as the clock counts down to zero, or just after the game ends. However, don’t put your camera away too quickly because the fans are often just as happy and emotional as the victorious players, and they frequently want to join the player celebrations on the field, especially in university, college, and high school games.

During this Colby College football win over Maine state rival Bates College, Colby took the lead early, but Bates gradually chipped away at the Colby lead, until they were within 3 points and progressing toward the Colby end zone with just minutes remaining.  However, the defense held firm at the end and Colby won its first game of the season 23-20.  Not only did the players celebrate jubilantly, alumni, parents, and students also poured from the stands onto the field to join in. When triumphant Colby defensive back Asher Inman was swarmed by happy fans, mostly female, their combined joyous expressions made a great photo.

3 Tips

1.     Fans and players often react emotionally to close or exciting wins over rivals.

2.     As the game ends, and for a while after it’s over, watch for photos of strong emotional expressions.

3.     Fan interactions with players or reactions to the victory will often make the most compelling photos.

Foul Play

Photographing basketball games from courtside under the basket captures great close-up action coming directly at you.

Colby College basketball’s Keagan Dunbar (21) is fouled while driving to the hoop by Thomas College’s Shala Davis (24) and Anna Piirainen (13).

The Photo

Basketball is one of the best sports to photograph because you clearly see the players’ faces while sitting  courtside, adjacent to the action. One ideal shooting position is sitting on the floor directly under the basket, slightly to the right, which ensures nearly all the action comes toward you, since players tend to drive more from the left, likely because many are right-handed.  From here you can capture powerful photos of layups, rebounds, dunks, collisions, fouls, and player reactions to made baskets, missed shots, and referee calls. However, you need to stay alert to avoid airborne players or balls colliding with you.

In this women’s basketball game between Colby College and cross-town rival Thomas College, Colby jumped out early to a big lead, so Thomas players were determined to block the lane and prevent additional easy Colby layups. On this play, Colby guard Keagan Dunbar (in white) saw a clear path to the basket and quickly drove into the lane, but two Thomas defenders stuck out their arms to block the way, preferring to be called for the foul than allowing an easy bucket.  My telephoto lens blurred out the background, which more clearly highlighted the bodies colliding, the ball knocked loose, and the fouled player’s facial expression.

3 Tips

1.     Sitting courtside under the basket is a terrific vantage point to capture all types of close-up basketball action coming directly at you.

2.     Watch for players driving the lane, rebounding, colliding with one another, or reacting to shots or calls.

3.     Stay alert to avoid any players or loose balls that might collide with you.