Those darn baseball hats!!

[gregory238]

I've been shooting this school for years and the baseball teams (T/I) are always a pain for lighting. Those HATS!!! What are some thoughts for getting that shadow off the face so you can actually see it? I can use a reflector for the individuals, but what about the team? I took the MS team one year in complete shade and it was good, but I didn't like the football field in the background.
I like to shoot the sport on thier turf , if you know what I mean! :;;D:

- I will be shooting around 3-5PM, so I should have the sun
- I should have the full field, so I can pick my location (some a lot better than others!)
- Would have power available

Any thoughts, suggestions?

[Tim Gomez]

Several flashes? Could you have them hold there hats, possibly in a way so they are still visible? Have their backs to the sun so their whole faces are somewhat shaded?

[gregory238]

I can visualize a good shot for the individual without the hat, but the team has to wear them. Just as you can't cry, you have to wear the hat!!! My only fear is going to be the actual time. The sun may be too low to go that way, I might be looking right into it.

I was thinking about using remote flashes on the ground or just above. Never hurts to ask.....

[Steve Paxton]

I am not a sports photographer - but I always position my lights low and in an upward angle below the brim line when I photograph high school seniors with a baseball cap on. It seems to work just fine. I am not sure how well that would work on a larger scale, but I imagine it wouldn't be a problem with two or three lights (depending on the size of the team) setup low to the ground.

[Michael]

I don't do much in the way of posed team shots, but I would think putting your lights just below face level and to the sides would be your best bet. I would try to avoid going too low so they don't look monster-lit and so there aren't shadows going upwards from the bills. If possible, I would recommend soft boxes or an umbrella to keep the side shadows from the brims from being too harsh.

[Steve Paxton]

Greg-

How did your photo shoot go?

[gregory238]

It's not until March, but I will let you know and post some samples.

[gregory238]

I haven't been able to get the varsity yet, but here's one from the MS team. You can see where the sun is in the picture, so I set up two flash units one at about a 45' angle pointed at the face and one just to the right of me set with a little less power. NO - The background is not my choice! I have to take what the coach will give me!!!

1111

[Steve Paxton]

You're doing a great job Greg! I don't think the background is too bad - the dirt and grass really add to the image. Good job!

[Bright Eye]

Several flashes? Could you have them hold there hats, possibly in a way so they are still visible? Have their backs to the sun so their whole faces are somewhat shaded?

Acknowledge with you Tim...

I am Really Surprised to read the thread Head name That is Coffeshop and I m Still waiting For Black Coffee.

[jrome]

I know this is too late, but the thing that I thought of was using one of those survival blankets on the ground as a reflector for the team photo, maybe two of them. I was watching some Kelby stuff the other day and they were using an expensive version of one of those to reflect a gelled strobe off the ground to illuminate some books in the background of some corporate photos. Just a thought.

[Steve Paxton]

I know this is too late, but the thing that I thought of was using one of those survival blankets on the ground as a reflector for the team photo, maybe two of them. I was watching some Kelby stuff the other day and they were using an expensive version of one of those to reflect a gelled strobe off the ground to illuminate some books in the background of some corporate photos. Just a thought.

That's a great idea... It would probably be easier than a bunch of lights too.