Ok.....Now for my 3rd annual (has it been that long?) "Quality Pictures" post.
I wish I would have actually saved the old one, cause it said what I wanted to say......and I don't type all to speedily. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Anyway, it's that time of the year again ,when we all take to the woods in search of whatever game animal has been haunting our dreams and daydreams all offseason.........you put in all the scouting,all the long hours, $$$$ spent, practicing your shooting, hanging stands etc. etc and now it's all paid off!! Your animal is lying at your feet.
NOW IS THE TIME TO PRESERVE A MEMORY TO BE PROUD OF!!
Here's some tips and suggestions.......
1. FIRST AND FOREMOST......Take your pictures in a natural setting (where the animal was recovered is usually best as it will enhance the memory). We see it every year......and we'll see it again this year. A proud and happy hunter with his prize in the back of a pickup, on a garage floor, hanging by its back legs or neck <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>, etc etc......There are countless "Wrong" places and poses that not only ruin the asthetics of the picture, but deminish the respect for the animal you have just harvested. HONOR THE ANIMAL.
I'm not being "PC" here.......just think about it....would you rather show off your pictures or look back fondly on them and see yourself stradling your deer in the back of an F-150??........or would you rather see yourself in a sweet wooded shot with a nice pose?
You'll see.....you will find yourself CRINGING at some of the pics this season. Don't let this be you!!
"But I don't want to ruin my $$$$ camera by hauling it along!"
"I don't have room for MORE stuff"
"I can't afford a big expensive camera"......blah blah blah.......
NOT BUYING IT!!No EXCUSES.
If you don't want to risk your expensive camera (like all your other gear isn't already worth thousands!) Get your butt WalMart and buy a $15 GOOD disposable camera with a flash. You break it, who cares!?
SOme of the BEST in the field pics I've seen and taken have been with these disposable cameras.
Now, after you've listened to reason and are going to attempt some "In the field shots", there are some tips and tricks I can offer to make those shots even better.......
1. Check out your bowhunting magazines and study a few of the poses that really catch your eye.......then put them to work in the field.
2. Don't "Ride" the animal...... geez it's not an amusement ride!
3. If you have to wait until you get home because you were hunting solo, drive to a wodded area after you pick up a buddy and fake it! Just get in a natural setting (this isn't your lawn with a hose reel and a garbage can in the background! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>)
4. Yes it's "PC" and it's just plain tasteful.......tuck in the tongue, clean up the excess gore, and for the love of God.........SMILE! (you are having fun) <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
5. Keep the sun at the PHOTOGRAPHERS BACK.....don't shoot into the sun. Sounds simple, but you'd be surprised at how many potentially good pics get ruined forgetting this simple fact.
6. Wear the clothes you had on during the hunt......don't strip off that camo jacket and show off your "No Fear" or "Hooters" tee shirts. <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>
7. Take a couple shots with your kid.
8. Use your flash even in the daylight to fill shadows.....try a few with and without it. Speaking of shadows.....if there is a nice patch of sun a few feet away, pull the animal and yourself into it. Get out of the shadows and we'll see more detail and a warmer picture.
9. If you have a camera along , you're alone but it has an "Automatic Shutter" feature.....find a rock,log, backpack, whatever and wing afew pictures yourself on the spot. I took some really nice pictures with my digital last year like this that I'm proud of.
10. Digital cmaeras are no longer expensive.....even the good ones. I use an HP 315 at 2.1 mega pixels and it takes super clear pictures.....combined with the instant gratification of dowloading them as soon as you get home makes them hard to beat.
I see my particular model on Ebay all the time for under $150....what are your memories worth??
11. Tuck the animals legs up underneath like it was bedded rather than the "White Belly" shots......this gives the animal a much more lifelike and natural pose. It makes the body fuller and makes for much better pictures.
12. Remember to shoot you field pictures BEFORE you field dress the animal.....again more lifelike, asthetically pleasing, and yes ,"PC".
13. Not always possible to get some pictures BEFORE field dressing.....remember the other tips too compensate. Tuck the legs under to hide the gutted stomach. Try some frontal sitting poses......anything to downplay the now deflated and very bloody animals belly.
14. Take a BUNCH of pictures......burn a whole disposable camera, fire off a whole roll of 36 pictures, or fill up your digital memory card. It may seem like the same picture over and over, but I've seen whole rolls taken to get 1 or 2 GOOD pictures. Stop at only 2 or 3 and you may end up dissapointed when the pictures come back from 1-Hour Photo!!
15. Vary the poses......like I said, learn some new ones from the magazines and try them. Don't just take the same broadside shot over and over from different distances. And remember FILL THE FRAME. Closer is better than far away.....too many guys take pictures from what they think is the right distance only to find out later that they weren't close enough. Shoot a few close ups, and try a few while looking at, and admiring the animal....they sometimes turn out to be the very best shots. It's about the animal.....not you.
I'll stop there.....(thank God right!?
) This will leave some room for other people to offer there own suggestions. I know we have some talented Photographers here who can offer some good technical advice such as camera types, film speeds etc etc., I wanted to cover the COMMON SENSE basics.
We have already been graced this season by some early memeber successes, and some nice pictures to go along with their stories......as always "Arcticbowman" came thru in his usual good form with quality pics. Check them out, he has the right idea, and everyone should follow in those footsteps.
You will end up with results that you will be proud to show anyone......and memories that will be more meaningful to you for years and years.
Good luck this season everyone.......AND BRING ON THE PICS!!! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
<font color=blue><font size=5>HONOR THE ANIMAL!!</font id=size5></font id=blue>
Edited by - Matt / PA on 09/11/2002 22:35:47