Baltimore Orioles Photography: Sunday, July 24, 2011 vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

"Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis waits on deck in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Sunday, July 24, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones hits a two run home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Sunday, July 24, 2011 in Baltimore."

"The Oriole Bird holds an American flag during the singing of 'God Bless America' during the seventh inning stretch of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Sunday, July 24, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Official Major League Baseball game balls are shown Sunday, July 24, 2011 in Baltimore."

I had a bit of trouble editing this set of images down, so what you see here is a hodgepodge of different types of shots I got from Sunday’s game. 

I enjoyed fooling around with still life, and focusing on the small, everyday objects of the game: balls, helmets, bats, etc.. I’ve got a few more that I was happy with. I think overall, my group of shots from Sunday mostly tell a story about the Orioles’ dugout. 

This game’s “Thing I Learned:” I was thinking along the same lines as I was during the previous game. There’s a lot going on off the field, so I continued to keep that in mind while shooting. 

Orioles host Kids Run The Bases day.

"A participant of Kids Run The Bases day crosses home plate at Oriole Park at Camden Yards Sunday, July 24, 2011 in Baltimore."

Hundreds of kids running around a baseball field. Enough said. 

Baltimore Orioles Photography: Friday, July 22, 2011 vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

"Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis flies out to left field in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Friday, July 22, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Kids reach out for a foul ball in the first inning of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Friday, July 22, 2011 in Baltimore."

"A girl waves to the scoreboard between innings of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Friday, July 22, 2011 in Baltimore."

This game was so slow for the Orioles that I ended up only saving about 50 images total. There was essentially no action to shoot whatsoever, so I fooled around a bit and shot some things that I normally don’t. 

This frame of Markakis is nothing special, but visually, it’s the most exciting thing I got from the night. I also wanted to post it to prove that I didn’t just take pictures of fans all game. 

I got lucky, though, and caught a few nice moments with kids sitting in sections near the outside first base photo pit. 

This game’s “Thing I Learned:” It’s important to remember that there’s a lot going on besides what’s happening on the field. It doesn’t hurt to look behind you from time to time. 

Orioles’ infielder Andino visits York to sign autographs.

"Baltimore Orioles infielder Robert Andino gives a fan an autograph at the Orioles team store in York, Pennsylvania Friday, July 22, 2011."

I shot this autograph signing in York last Friday. It was a quick and easy job, and everything went surprisingly smoothly. 

It’s difficult to get too creative with these types of events. Most of the shots end up always looking like this. 

Terry Francona.

"Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona chews sunflower seeds during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in Baltimore."

There’s no question about it: Terry Francona has established himself as one of baseball’s most successful managers.  

But after sitting next to him for the majority of the game last Wednesday, I learned that his in-game eating habits are like none other. He’s a machine. He went through packs and packs of seeds, gum, tobacco, bars, and bottles of water. It’s also obvious that dugout cleanliness is not one of his priorities, nor is that of the photo pits. 

Here’s the mess that I was sitting in while shooting all game – and this doesn’t even show the real mess he made under where he was standing. Those pink things you see? Those are mysterious globs of chewed gum and tobacco mixed together. And, at one point, he actually spit some seed shells on my leg. Nice, right? 

Boston Red Sox: Papelbon

"Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon takes signs from the catcher in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in Baltimore."

Here’s Jonathan Papelbon and his trademark staredown of the batter. 

Click the photo to enlarge if you’d like. 

Baltimore Orioles Photography: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 vs. Boston Red Sox

"Boston Red Sox shortstop Marco Scutaro turns a double play in the second inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta pitches during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds fields a ground ball in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Boston Red Sox center fielder Darnell McDonald looks on during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in Baltimore."

This entire week has been disgustingly hot, and last Wednesday was no exception. There’s nothing like a 12:35 p.m. baseball game right at the peak of a 105 plus degree day. 

I was drenched in sweat within five minutes of shooting, but I was happy with what I got. 

This game’s “Thing I Learned:” On days like this, seek the spot closest to the dugout to catch a draft from the huge blowing fan. 

Baltimore Orioles Photography: Monday, July 18, 2011 vs. Boston Red Sox

"Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis throws to first base in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Monday, July 18, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Baltimore Orioles second baseman Robert Andino throws to first base in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Monday, July 18, 2011 in Baltimore."

Despite playing until 2 a.m. the night before and arriving to Baltimore four hours later, the Red Sox outslugged the Orioles to begin this three game series. I don’t have much to say about this game except that it was quite frustrating to watch. 

These two shots compliment each other nicely, I think. 

This game’s “Thing I Learned:” The Boston Red Sox are really, really good.

Baltimore Orioles Photography: Sunday, July 17, 2011 vs. Cleveland Indians

"Baltimore Orioles second baseman Robert Andino dives for a ball in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Sunday, July 17, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones flies out in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Sunday, July 17, 2011 in Baltimore."

We’ve officially reached the dog days of summer. This day game against the Indians was hot – so hot that I somehow managed to leave the game with a tan line around my left eye from my camera eyepiece. 

95 degree plus heat can be pretty draining, but I always feel a larger sense of accomplishment after those days, particularly when I come out with good pictures. So as I sat there sweating profusely and periodically leaning into the dugout to catch a hint of air conditioning, I managed to get some nice shots.

I’m still kicking myself over this Andino frame. I had the feeling that the ball would be hit his way, so I sat on him throughout the whole at bat. Sure enough, when it did go his way, I was ready to shoot it. It turns out I was a bit off with my focus, though, so although this photograph is sharp, I know it could have been even sharper. I was happy with this compressed bat-on-ball shot of Adam Jones, so I posted that as well. 

This game’s “Thing I Learned:” Take an extra second to be absolutely sure that your shot will be in focus. I tend to set my focus too quickly and assume that the auto-focus will take care of the rest. 

The Tribe.

"Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta looks on during the third inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Sunday, July 17, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner runs toward home plate after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Sunday, July 17, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Cleveland Indians first baseman Matt LaPorta dives for a foul ball in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Sunday, July 17, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore looks toward home plate in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Friday, July 15, 2011 in Baltimore."

Here are some of my impressions of the Cleveland Indians, who were in Baltimore for a four game series last week. 

Baltimore Orioles Photography: Saturday, July 16, 2011 vs. Cleveland Indians

"Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Alfredo Simon pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Saturday, July 16, 2011 in Baltimore."

This was likely the slowest and fastest game I’ve ever shot. A low scoring pitchers’ duel, this game moved quickly and was over by 9:30 p.m., yet was extremely dull from a photo standpoint. There was hardly any action to shoot, so pitchers made most of my pictures. 

This game’s “Thing I Learned:” Sometimes, baseball is a game that, on nights like these, can give a photographer a remarkably lackluster set of photographs.  

Orioles’ Nick Markakis records 1000th career hit

"Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis singles to left field in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Friday, July 15, 2011 in Baltimore. The hit was the thousandth of his career."

The night before I shot this, a Major League Baseball game ball authenticator sitting next to me near the Orioles’ dugout pointed out that the next hit recorded by Nick Markakis would be the thousandth of his career. 

So here it is – number 1,000. 

Baltimore Orioles Photography: Friday, July 15, 2011 vs. Cleveland Indians

"Baltimore Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Friday, July 15, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters throws to first base in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Friday, July 15, 2011 in Baltimore."

The Orioles weren’t able to rally to win this one. Here is the box score.

Friday night games are always fun. Bigger crowds bring more energy and, usually, more excitement to the games. As a shooter, I certainly feed off more crowd involvement. It makes me wonder what it’s like to have that day in and day out for 81 plus games a season. 

Some nice light fell on the Orioles’ dugout early in the game, which comes through nicely in this image of Nolan Reimold. I had to post this frame of Matt Wieters as well just because it’s so similar to the shot I made in 2009, which is still used on all kinds of Orioles advertising and promotions. 

This game’s “Thing I Learned:” Eating sunflower seeds while shooting is a great idea. 

Baltimore Orioles Photography: Thursday, July 14, 2011 vs. Cleveland Indians

"Baltimore Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee dives for a ground ball in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Thursday, July 14, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones catches a fly ball in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Thursday, July 14, 2011 in Baltimore."

"Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Gonzales falls as he throws to first base in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Thursday, July 14, 2011 in Baltimore."

Back at it last night for the start of a long post All-Star break homestand. The Orioles started it off with a loss to the Indians. 

There wasn’t much action to shoot throughout this game, but I did manage to make a few good frames. I also used my own Canon 7D as my primary camera last night. That’s what happens when you forget to bring your other camera’s charger up from the pit and it sits outside for two weeks. The Mark II’s batteries were dead, and water-logged chargers don’t work so well, so I’ve switched temporarily to my own body until our new charger arrives. 

It’s funny how my 7D seems so slow after using the Mark II so much. 

This game’s “Thing I Learned:” Don’t forget your gear on the field!

Late June light at OPACY.

"Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy walks to the on deck circle during the fourth inning of an interleague baseball game in Baltimore Wednesday, June 29, 2011."

"Sun shines through the lower concourse at Oriole Park at Camden Yards as Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis bats during the fifth inning of an interleague baseball game in Baltimore Wednesday, June 29, 2011."

"Sun shines on the warehouse at Oriole Park at Camden Yards during an interleague baseball game in Baltimore Thursday, June 30, 2011."

I wanted to make this post to wrap up my first month back with the Orioles. There wasn’t too much action during the final three games of the last homestand, which allowed me to add some stadium shots to my portfolio. 

We had absolutely perfect baseball weather, which produced some beautiful mid-summer light falling upon the stadium every evening. We really do have a stunning ballpark, and it’s these type of nights that I find myself thinking “This is really my job?”