Not Real Happy With This, What Do You See?

[fjrabon]

Aside from the lighting issues already mentioned, and the camera position already mentioned, you have placed the subjects in an inverted "V", so the ones on the ends will be the farthest from the camera.

Why?

It's a shot that sports teams generally like a lot. Of course I did several more traditional team shots, but for whatever reasons, teams tend to love the inverted V. It tends to lend a sense of power I guess. Or perhaps it just brings up memories of the childhood Disney movie "The Mighty Ducks"

 

[amolitor]

I think the low angle works. It emphasizes the physicality of the girls. This isn't supposed to be a flattering glamor shot, by my read, this is a photograph about physical dominance, and it totally works for me.

The light's the only real problem here, to my eye.

 

[Designer]

Aside from the lighting issues already mentioned, and the camera position already mentioned, you have placed the subjects in an inverted "V", so the ones on the ends will be the farthest from the camera.

Why?

It's a shot that sports teams generally like a lot. Of course I did several more traditional team shots, but for whatever reasons, teams tend to love the inverted V. It tends to lend a sense of power I guess. Or perhaps it just brings up memories of the childhood Disney movie "The Mighty Ducks"

IMO, amature sports teams are not the best judge of what makes a good photograph. I suppose this shot has been used many times before, so they think that is how all team photographs are supposed to be posed. It does showcase the catcher and pitcher quite well, and perhaps these are the stars of the team, but if my daughter was "on the team", I would like to at least see her face.

Assuming that you already know your equipment, including the factors that affect IQ, why not direct them into a better pose?

If it were me, I would set up the team in a shallow arc that (just coincidentally, mind you) happens to coincide with the focal plane of my lens. Then, I would light the team members with more flash units, (as many as are required) so as to light them more evenly.

 

[ronlane]

Just my opinion, it seems a little dark. Probably just the lighting. I noticed the catcher's knees were dirty too. It's hard for me to see, but there may be a couple with their eyes closed.

 

[fjrabon]

Aside from the lighting issues already mentioned, and the camera position already mentioned, you have placed the subjects in an inverted "V", so the ones on the ends will be the farthest from the camera.

Why?

It's a shot that sports teams generally like a lot. Of course I did several more traditional team shots, but for whatever reasons, teams tend to love the inverted V. It tends to lend a sense of power I guess. Or perhaps it just brings up memories of the childhood Disney movie "The Mighty Ducks"

IMO, amature sports teams are not the best judge of what makes a good photograph. I suppose this shot has been used many times before, so they think that is how all team photographs are supposed to be posed. It does showcase the catcher and pitcher quite well, and perhaps these are the stars of the team, but if my daughter was "on the team", I would like to at least see her face.

Assuming that you already know your equipment, including the factors that affect IQ, why not direct them into a better pose?

If it were me, I would set up the team in a shallow arc that (just coincidentally, mind you) happens to coincide with the focal plane of my lens. Then, I would light the team members with more flash units, (as many as are required) so as to light them more evenly.

Uh, if your client likes the shot, and they buy the shots, why would you do something that they're less likely to buy? Teams buy this shot over and over and over.

I don't get this attitude when it comes to commercial work. Sure, I could suggest a pose that maybe I think they'll like that they might not realize they will like, but you're essentially saying "yeah, they're not a good judge of what is good, so who cares if they like the shot or not, take a good shot."

I took many more traditionally posed team shots where there faces are equally distant from the camera and everybody looks the same. That shot will go in the yearbook, and probably 3-4 girls on the team will buy it. Almost every girl on the team bought the above picture and they are putting it on their dugout (which isn't normal). Teams love the inverted V. It's wildly popular right now. Regardless of whatever intrinsic artistic qualms I may or may not have with it (and I don't actually share your issues, but w/e), as a commercial photographer who gets a bonus based on how many prints are ordered, I'd be an idiot to not take that shot.

Sure, I had issues with the shot, but it being an inverted V wasn't among them.

I do appreciate your comments, genuinely. But I just don't get the attitude behind the last comment. I just don't understand "your client isn't a good judge of what makes a good photograph, so despite the fact that this pose sells extremely well, you shouldn't do it."

This is commercial photography. If it sells well, it's a good shot.