How To: Making Memorable Outdoors Photos

NOTE: This was taken from an old, back-issue of some outdoor magazine I found in a waste bin. I forgot which one, but I copied it down, shorthand, and it's been in my files ever since.
If you know the magazine, please fill me in so I can give credit. 

By the way, this isn't intended to be a photography course - don't send me hate mail if something is left out. It's also not about making good outdoor videos - we'll leave that for another time.
However, I think you'll learn some beneficial things from...

6 Tips To Memorable Hunting and Fishing Photos

Are you an outdoors enthusiast, and a camera junkie, too? Maybe you carry a snapshot pocket camera when you go fishing or hunting?

Or, maybe, you’re just carrying a smartphone, like so many of us these days.

Regardless of how you capture your moments afield, there are a few things you can do to get compelling, quality pictures of your outdoor adventures.

Here’s a half dozen you need to know.

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1. Lighting 

First, use a flash, even on sunny or overcast days. This may seem counter-intuitive, but it is one of those “secrets” that most people overlook.

Using flash accentuates colors, and makes the subject “pop out” from background and shadows.

Next, if it’s super bright out, try for some shade, as this softens the harshness of direct sunlight. If shade is not possible, put the sun behind you to illuminate the subject.

Pro Tip

For dramatic, into-the-sun shots, you'll need a strong flash, or something like the foil sun reflector from your truck. Use it fill the face of the subject, but have them avoid squinting!

2. Composition

The fish or game animal is the star of the shot.
Fill the frame with this subject; the outdoorsman or -woman fits in next.

Also, don’t clutter the frame with a lot of branches or shrubbery, your dirty boat, or truck bed, power lines, or other background distractions.

The key here is to eliminate extraneous items within the foto, and be aware of things sticking up behind the subject.

Pro Tip

Make an extra effort to avoid standing over the subject and shooting down on it. A low angle shot is nearly always preferable, and more natural... especially against a sky background. 

So get yourself down low if you need to.

3. Clean It Up

Wipe up any blood, including that which may be on you or your hands.
Dip fish in water just before the shot. This removes grass, dirt, leaves, etc., and makes the fish glisten and look fresh. 

Pro Tip

You might think that blood and mud are part of the adventure. But blood, gore and dirt distract from the majestic wild creature and the person who harvested it.

4. Posing

Present the trophy with respect and make it prominent. 

Don’t ride it like a Harley, swing it around your head, or make yourself out to be a reckless, wasteful nitwit.

Anglers and hunters catch enough flak these days; don’t add fuel to the fire 

For deer, tuck the hooves beneath the animal to prop it up for a nice presentation, and put the tongue back in its closed mouth. Again, clean away any blood.
Then, kneel behind and try to fit in behind and/or beneath the antlers.

Anglers, hold fish horizontally with two hands.

The head should be in one hand, slightly higher than the tail, which is held in your other. 

Angle the dorsal fin slightly towards the camera.

Nothing ruins a good fish pic like belly shots, fish in the dirt, or seeing them lifted vertically, high and dry.

Pro Tip

The staged, mass kill pic is also out.

Grandad mugged with limit catches of dead fish, or birds... that’s how they made a “hero shot,” back then.

But today, dumping all your fish, birds or other game on the ground, dock, or tailgate,... heaping them in bucket or cooler,...or laying out rows of stiff, lifeless critters... well, it makes a lousy statement.

Instead, display an obvious pride in stewardship and conservation, by highlighting one or two of the nicest, and leave it at that.

5. Focus

You want to focus your camera on the eyes of the trophy. They are most important. 

If this causes the background to go out of focus that’s good; it gives depth to the image and places attention on the subject.

A wide aperture, and shallow depth of field is great for this.

Pro Tip

With a smartphone, or point and shoot digital-cams, you may have limited options with aperture and depth of field.

So, fill the frame with your subjects, first.

Then, keep pesky background distractions to a minimum, so they won’t be in sharp focus.

6. Perspective

Extremes are best, and telephoto or wide angles lenses are your friend.

A bass held out to a wide angle lens is more prominent and looks bigger, for example.

On the other hand, a telephoto lens will compress the image into a tight frame and blur the background nicely.

Either can turn a good shot into a great one.

Pro Tip 

If you’re not a camera geek (I'm not), and only have a smart phone or snapshot digi-cam, don’t worry.

Just follow the other suggestions here and you’ll be miles ahead.

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Writers should always strive for a job well done... even half-baked ones like me. So if you found value in this article, please like, comment, and share it. 

Do you have questions, compliments, or suggestions?
If so, email me at...dahutist@gmail.com

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Thanks so much for reading, and...

Tight Lines,

Dave Hutton

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Thanks for reading and Tight Lines,

David

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