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.

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.