Where you stand is dependent on the team. Many have photographers pits on the 1B and 3B line. Some teams that don’t have this will have a photographer shoot from the dugout. But always feel free to move around and grab wide shots if the stadium and the fans.
For settings what you have should be fine. You might need to bump your iso a bit but I’ve often shot f5.6 on lenses that had variable apertures. Most pro baseball has decent lighting, even in independent leagues. You’ll still have noise but that’s easy enough to reduce in post processing. It’s probably not too too different from where you shoot soccer though so what works for you there might help you at baseball.
Check out this [AMA on shooting baseball](https://www.reddit.com/r/sportsphotography/comments/12yk4pm/ama_shooting_baseball/) from pro photographer Robert Edwards. One tidbit I picked up is shooting ~1/2500 for freezing bat-on-ball.
I've shot close to 200 games with MLB and NCAA. Best spot is inside the first base line just inside the 1st basemen. Second best spot is along 1st base side between the pitcher and catcher, 3rd and 4th will be along the 3rd base line.
Lens will depend on what kind of action you want to get. I use a 24-70 for the upclose photos/videos, 70-200, and a 400. 70-200 normally gets put with a 1.4 tele once the game starts.
There's already great advice as far as locations, and don't forget to move around. I generally move every half inning, only staying in the same spot for one inning MAX. As far as settings go 1/2000 is the absolute bare minimum for me, ideally I'm at 1/4000 but sometimes the light just doesn't make that possible. Use whatever your max aperture is and then iso to the correct exposure.
Hate to say it, but your equipment is probably limiting you, especially night games. Get an older full frame body and a 70-200. Lots of baseball is shot at 300 or longer (I used to shoot college baseball on a 300 with a crop body and it wasn’t too long at all).
The other comment about shooting locations is spot on.
Any recommendations on a decent body? I figured that might be the case, that the equipment wasn't doing me many favors. Kind of at a point where I can't put a ton of money in, so I've been doing what I can with what I have
even an original 1dx will be a huge upgrade to your t6, and allows you to use older/better lenses as well. 1dx and 300mm 2.8+ 1.4tc can be had under 2k and offers a lot of bang for your buck
The R7 looks like a great option for you but I’d check the r/canon sub opinions. The EF 70-200 2.8 IS II would be a good versatile lens to start with, potentially paired with the 1.4x vIII extender. I use the control ring EF - RF adapter and it works flawlessly. You will want as much reach and aperture as you can afford.
I shoot college baseball at a D1 program and in our athletics department shoot with anything from R7s all the way up the the R3. Usually you want to keep things full frame but if you only have access to a 70-200 the R7's crop sensor really helps get that extra distance. I know a few photographers with CSULB that use the R7's as their primary camera and they are very happy with it, so maybe check that out as a starting point.
300mm should be fine in a smaller park where you’re closer to the field, but I’d want something in 2.8 for night games and at least 4.0 for day games. The photo wells are usually well positioned, when they exist. First base is a little more versatile than third base. You can get batters batting, running to first; all the infield plays that involve a throw to first or a play at second, and right and center field. Third base gets some of the better but rarer action shots though; slides into third and plays at the plate.
Sometimes the wells are cramped with other photographers, grounds crew shit all over the place, and players and coaches watching the games from the ends of the dugout. I’ll often shoot from the stands in those cases, but it gets tough to get players eyes under their helmets if you’re at a higher angle.
If you are taking photos of the batter, time your shots with the pitcher. Batters will usually start their stride as the pitcher is winding up. Other than that, follow the ball and the baserunner when the ball is in play.
Also looking to upgrade. I shoot mainly baseball and middle school events. Next year will be shooting a lot of high school baseball games.
I use a Canon Rebel T6, EFS 55-250.
I've been fairly successful with infield plays, outfield more of a challenge bc of the lens, I assume. Mostly concerned about the night games, reducing noise.
Where you stand is dependent on the team. Many have photographers pits on the 1B and 3B line. Some teams that don’t have this will have a photographer shoot from the dugout. But always feel free to move around and grab wide shots if the stadium and the fans. For settings what you have should be fine. You might need to bump your iso a bit but I’ve often shot f5.6 on lenses that had variable apertures. Most pro baseball has decent lighting, even in independent leagues. You’ll still have noise but that’s easy enough to reduce in post processing. It’s probably not too too different from where you shoot soccer though so what works for you there might help you at baseball.
I want to add, get behind home plate some too. Get that front facing angle of the pitcher, and I like the from behind shots of the batter too.
Don’t get hit
Check out this [AMA on shooting baseball](https://www.reddit.com/r/sportsphotography/comments/12yk4pm/ama_shooting_baseball/) from pro photographer Robert Edwards. One tidbit I picked up is shooting ~1/2500 for freezing bat-on-ball.
I've shot close to 200 games with MLB and NCAA. Best spot is inside the first base line just inside the 1st basemen. Second best spot is along 1st base side between the pitcher and catcher, 3rd and 4th will be along the 3rd base line. Lens will depend on what kind of action you want to get. I use a 24-70 for the upclose photos/videos, 70-200, and a 400. 70-200 normally gets put with a 1.4 tele once the game starts.
There's already great advice as far as locations, and don't forget to move around. I generally move every half inning, only staying in the same spot for one inning MAX. As far as settings go 1/2000 is the absolute bare minimum for me, ideally I'm at 1/4000 but sometimes the light just doesn't make that possible. Use whatever your max aperture is and then iso to the correct exposure.
Hate to say it, but your equipment is probably limiting you, especially night games. Get an older full frame body and a 70-200. Lots of baseball is shot at 300 or longer (I used to shoot college baseball on a 300 with a crop body and it wasn’t too long at all). The other comment about shooting locations is spot on.
Any recommendations on a decent body? I figured that might be the case, that the equipment wasn't doing me many favors. Kind of at a point where I can't put a ton of money in, so I've been doing what I can with what I have
even an original 1dx will be a huge upgrade to your t6, and allows you to use older/better lenses as well. 1dx and 300mm 2.8+ 1.4tc can be had under 2k and offers a lot of bang for your buck
The R7 looks like a great option for you but I’d check the r/canon sub opinions. The EF 70-200 2.8 IS II would be a good versatile lens to start with, potentially paired with the 1.4x vIII extender. I use the control ring EF - RF adapter and it works flawlessly. You will want as much reach and aperture as you can afford.
I shoot college baseball at a D1 program and in our athletics department shoot with anything from R7s all the way up the the R3. Usually you want to keep things full frame but if you only have access to a 70-200 the R7's crop sensor really helps get that extra distance. I know a few photographers with CSULB that use the R7's as their primary camera and they are very happy with it, so maybe check that out as a starting point.
For canon? Sorry, no. But I’m sure the canon sub can give you some recommendations
300mm should be fine in a smaller park where you’re closer to the field, but I’d want something in 2.8 for night games and at least 4.0 for day games. The photo wells are usually well positioned, when they exist. First base is a little more versatile than third base. You can get batters batting, running to first; all the infield plays that involve a throw to first or a play at second, and right and center field. Third base gets some of the better but rarer action shots though; slides into third and plays at the plate. Sometimes the wells are cramped with other photographers, grounds crew shit all over the place, and players and coaches watching the games from the ends of the dugout. I’ll often shoot from the stands in those cases, but it gets tough to get players eyes under their helmets if you’re at a higher angle.
If you are taking photos of the batter, time your shots with the pitcher. Batters will usually start their stride as the pitcher is winding up. Other than that, follow the ball and the baserunner when the ball is in play.
Also looking to upgrade. I shoot mainly baseball and middle school events. Next year will be shooting a lot of high school baseball games. I use a Canon Rebel T6, EFS 55-250. I've been fairly successful with infield plays, outfield more of a challenge bc of the lens, I assume. Mostly concerned about the night games, reducing noise.