I wanted to take some shots of the team this year. what do you think of this? White bg is still a pain for me. I was thinking about doing baseball cards for the kids but was looking for a plug in or template (hopfully for free) does anyone have any ideas on that?
thanks.

my Simple Suggestion: Avoid using the Bright White background.

Why?

I would prefer to see the kid in a more natural "outdoor" at the ball park scene (as baseball is played outdoors).

Thanks Steady
I planned to do both but thought it would be better to make baseball cards for the kids with the white bg - that doesn't seem to be going anywhere anyway.

I'll probably just take some during a game but that has been really tough since i am the coach and they need a lot of coaching at this age.

another one with the white bg where you can see my issues - i know i could fix it in post easy but didn't bother

I've always preferred green bushes/trees (well out of focus) as a background, in open shade...

thanks guys i don't know what i was thinking i just googled some info on cards and they show the players on the field as well. It has been a long time since i have had any baseball cards.

that is going to make it tougher for me to get good outdoor shots of all the kids but not a big problem.

thanks

Doesn't your league have a photographer that takes Team & Individual photos? If so I am sure they can get cards printed.

If not check out MPIX, they have templates. You upload your photos to them they print the cards for you and ship them to your door. Very simple and not that expensive.

thanks RRives that will work out perfect. I was looking for a photoshop template similar to that. Have you used them before for cards?

if you really want to know our league hired a photography service that consisted of two teens that took the 'team' photo and the individual shots in a school classroom with rolled up wrestling mats and desks in the bg

i did not tell the team i would be doing this and may or may not but i thought it would be nice for the kids. If i do it i will not be charging them.

If you do end up doing this for the kids, I'm sure their families will be very appreciative, especially considering the care you're putting into it.

Tim

Hi,

I see your concept with the WBG.

No problem.

Just that it takes them away from the environment.

IF it was my kid, I would prefer to see them standing next to the dugout or somewhere "of the place" and I would prefer to see the kid looking good, but also "natural" for the activity (dusty, sweaty, having fun, or intense, or just being a kid). But that is just one opinion, of course.

There are many ways to approach the subject. Follow your creative muse on this one. Surprise us.

Steady, I think you are right.
Thanks

I used to dabble some in T&I. I bought a CD of trading card templates when I first started, but didn't really like them and just made my own. I found some double-sticky 10" x 7" card stock (at Desktop Darkroom, I think) that let me make a set of eight 2.5" x 3.5" trading cards at a time.

I never did figure out a way to "production-ize" the process, it's pretty labor intensive and more in the realm of arts-and-crafts. (A good die cutter would help a lot, but a good die cutter is damned expensive...)

PM me if you want to give it a try, I still have a decent supply of the card stock. Since you're the coach, I'd be happy to donate 20 sheets or so.

Here are samples of the template I made, adapted for different sports. One year, I even adapted the template for a summer band, at the request of another photographer.

Thanks for the offer Mike. This forum always amazes me with the generous offers and friendly people. I think I am going to try mpix. cost is a factor but so is time (probably more so). I am going to get a good shot of my son asap and see how it goes and based on how that works out we'll see what happens.

I do really appreciate the offer and your cards look great.