Shutter Speed 1/1000 – Using panning technique, player motion can be frozen at 1/400 – 1/500, but a baseball will almost always show as a complete blur at those lower shutter speeds. Making a ball visible at or near contact with the bat, or when it is thrown needs a shutter speed of 1/1000 or higher when possible.

Aperture: As wide open as possible. The larger the aperture, the shallower the depth of field. A shallow depth of field helps minimize potentially distracting background elements.

Focus Mode: AI Servo or Continuous Focus, but select a specific focus point in the viewfinder. DO NOT let the camera make the decision where to focus. The camera cannot know what you as the photographer intend.

Use Shutter Priority or Manual mode. Change aperture or ISO to achieve proper exposure while maintaining desired shutter speed (1/1000). Check exposure periodically. Images that are significantly under/over exposed will have little chance of being usable.

POSITIONING

During the game: Both baselines and between 1B and RF or between 3B and LF.  If allowed on the field, during warm-ups: Photograph the pitcher from near the backstop or behind the backstop slightly to the left or right of the catcher. Photograph 3B, SS and LF from the 1B side and 2B, 1B and RF from the 3B side and CF and Catcher from either side.

Photograph hitting, fielding and throwing but don’t forget base-running action. When a player is on 1B anticipate a steal or platy at 2B. When a player is on 3B anticipate a play at the plate.

Mix it up and be mobile: Vary shooting positioning and angles. Photos taken from the same spot inning after inning will bore you and those viewing the pictures. Move around!

Use short bursts: Always work on timing to the get desired shot. Using your camera’s fast frame advance coupled with the “hold it and hope” technique will generate unnecessary photos that may or may not contain the image you are trying to capture.

Capture emotion: Photograph celebration, disappointment and players just having fun. Mix in some tight shots to go with the broad-based action shots. doing so will mean that your day of photographing baseball captures most aspects of the sport.