My first attempt at sports photography...

Snapped this shot from seats out in right field during a local Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball game. Any feedback to improve my work? This was my first time ever taking any sports photos.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4548/img03775kz.th.jpg (http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img03775kz.jpg)

Changed to thumbnail for size reasons. Click to view photo full sized. Thanks :)

I really like it.
Perhaps what you can work on is to cut down on motion but not a whole lot. I like the bat being blurry. Perhaps up the ISO and lower the shutter speed tiny bit to compensate for shaking.

What were the settings? I like the composition. If you want to get rid of the motion you need to increase ISO. Also I prefer summer sports(well all sports actually) in color, just my preference.

Shot as RAW, here is color original for comparison.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/6696/img03771cd.th.jpg (http://img40.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img03771cd.jpg)

it looks so cool, I've NEVER been to a ball game in my life.. oh I have not lived yet lol

I think you did a very nice job for it being your first time, now you can only get awesome.

Great shot man ... I've been icthing to try a similar shot here in Moncton. You got some nice motion with the swing and ball just getting to the mitt.

Ok, since I do this for a living(weddings,sports,portraits) I will jump in. I don't usually critique. Excellent shot except for one point. If you are going to show all thre people you should have also left some roomin front of the bat. otherwise a tighte rzoom on the batter. Your shot also shows some blurring from the shutter speed. It could be a tad sharper. All in all not a bad first try

Does anyone like the blurring? I did it deliberately at the time, but maybe I should stick with a faster shutter?

Does anyone like the blurring? I did it deliberately at the time, but maybe I should stick with a faster shutter?

I like it too. The color shot works best I think.

the color shot always looks best with action shots, good pic!

I just think baseball is such a traditional sport and I like the b&w aspects of that. However maybe b&w is better reserved for non action shots?

i prefer the b/w...but the color seems to highlight more action

IMO the color version brings more life to the sports shot!