Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

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 &quot;Wrong&quot; 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 &quot;PC&quot; 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!!

&quot;But I don't want to ruin my $$$$ camera by hauling it along!&quot;
&quot;I don't have room for MORE stuff&quot;
&quot;I can't afford a big expensive camera&quot;......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 &quot;In the field shots&quot;, 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 &quot;Ride&quot; 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 &quot;PC&quot; 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 &quot;No Fear&quot; or &quot;Hooters&quot; 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 &quot;Automatic Shutter&quot; 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 &quot;White Belly&quot; 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 ,&quot;PC&quot;.

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 &quot;Arcticbowman&quot; 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

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Good post Matt

But what your really trying to say is you want me to take the pics of the Texas Bruiser ya gonna get <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Thanks Matt!
The only thing I'll add is If you like the picture take it. Me I don't like the shots withthe hunter between the antlers. To me it presents a VERY false sense of the size of the animal but to each his own.

Most importantly, it serves as a record for your future enjoyment.

Good Hunting all!


Greg

&quot;Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus.&quot;

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Ok, so if I follow all of the PA hunting advice on this forum then I should.....

1. Do an excellent job of tracking the animal and find it in not time at all.

2. Be proud of it, regardless of what it is, not only when I harvest it but also when I post about it here.

3. Take good pictures of it in a naturalistic, non-vulgar situation.

Does that about sum up rather nicely?

<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Thanks for the post Matt.

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>or fill up your digital memory card <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Wow, I have a 128 Meg memory card. With my 2 megapixel camera I can get 206 full size images or 1500 low res images. I think my dad or hunting partner would kill me if I said burn them all up!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

All very good tips Matt.

But if I may add one my self.

If possible wipe the blood from around the mouth and the entry/exit wound if possible. Some guys keep a spray bottle with water in their truck just for this.


My Web Page
www.geocities.com/hfpmad

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Great advice Matt. I would like to add something too. Tuck the deer's tounge back in it's mouth if it's hanging out. Gotta respect the game.

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

I read an article about this subject a while back and most of the things you said were in it. The guy who wrote it is a professional hunting photographer that takes the pics that end up on magazine covers. He said he takes at least two rolls of film for a harvest shot. Another tip that he had was to carry some taxidermist's glass eyes and put them in (the deer's eyes not yours). <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> This removes that &quot;dead&quot; <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle> look and eliminates the green eye reflection. This may be a little more than some want to do, but a picture does last a lifetime. Good luck getting something to take a picture of.<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - huntingbry on 09/12/2002 08:05:07

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Great tips. thanks for posting

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Thanks matt / pa as soon as I stick one you will have the pic to scrutinize.Only 16 more days.

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Very good post Matt, as usual. This info has helped me with my pics in the past and there is always room for improvement. The only thing missing from your post is an example or two, or three<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>. Tiffany has to be my favorite hunter and takes, I mean makes:) the best pictures, IMO. I hope you don't mind?

Beautiful picture, animal and hunter, IMO. Perfect example.

Can't get enough of this fine lady. What a smile!


I know, I know, I'm obsessed.

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Frank, yup, you summed it up.

Wait the appropriate amount of time after the shot.

Be proud of your harvest....and

take quality pictures.

Matt, great post as always. I was wondering when you were getting around to this....and I concur 100%.

Even if you don't have the camera in the woods, when you get home it only takes a few minutes to take the deer out of the truck and take quality photos in a real nice pose. I think everyone here has to agree that those photos are the best and give you something to look back on, even enlarge to display next to the mount.

Like Matt says, HONOR THE ANIMAL, making the hunter secondary in the sceen...


ChiefHeadHunter, I can see why see'd be your favorite. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Once again, Great Post!!! Good examples!!!

&quot; I do not hunt to kill,but rather kill to have hunted&quot;(quote)

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

MATT you are so right, I am still kicking myself for not getting pictures of my kill last year until I was home and it was in the bed of the truck. The only thing I did right was get my girls in the pics.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Thanks guys.......Rob is very right that it takes so little time and extra effort to get so much more from your pictures.
I always try to take a picture that I'd be proud to have hanging on my wall for anyone to see....

Chief......I guess sometimes being a dead deer has its advantages. <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> I must agree, Perfect examples.

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

A couple of things to remember for improving pics. If you're in the woods and it's a little dark, overexpose by 1 to 1 1/2 stops when using a flash. Otherwise the background will be underexposed, and the subject will appear stark. Watch the background for distracting elements, big rocks, brush piles, etc. Be aware of small trees and anything jutting up from the ground. You don't want these to appear to be growing out of the subject's head. You know, &quot;what a great pic, if only that tree wasn't growing out of my head&quot;. If you have manual exposure control you can soften (blur) the background if you like by opening up the lens to a wider aperture. A small tele lens will also compress and soften the background. A wide angle lens has much more depth of field, but you can get very close and get some great pics at various angles. Use your imagination. It's very rewarding when showing your pics, and people go ooh, ah.

Phil.

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Perfect examples, Chief. Best in class, no doubt. Best in class.

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Good post Matt
Chief those are fantastic shots, I especially like the first one, the blue sky in the back ground sure adds a lot of &quot;punch&quot;.

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Uhhh, Chief....who is &quot;Tiffany&quot;.

I gotta ask...I just have to...daughter maybe?

<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

The fuji disposables at Walmart take some of the best pics. I used both Kodac and Fuji, by far Fuji did a better job for me. Fuji sale for around six to eight dollars at walmart. very cheap and well worth every photo. Great hunting and God Bless... Matthews

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

&quot; 2. Don't &quot;Ride&quot; the animal...... geez it's not an amusement ride!&quot;<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Thanks for the advice. My last 2 deer pics are in the butchers shop and in the back of a pick up. I was just looking at disposables today for 10 bucks.

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Frank! You seriously don't know about Tiffany? You let me down... [;0]

Let me paste something in here I found which may be helpful to you:



Tiffany Profant-I am a 26-year-old flight attendant from Minneapolis Minnesota working for Northwest Airlines. I spent much of my childhood fishing n northern Minnesota with my father Gary, but wasn't introduced to the great sport of hunting until just three years ago when I met Outdoor Writer Lee Lakosky. At the time I thought that it would be fun to try the sport of archery but never would have imagined that it would grow into the obsession that it has become. I released my very first arrow, in a hunting situation, in September of 1999 and when it hit the mark and I harvested my first whitetail buck I was absolutely hooked! Since that day I have been fortunate enough to harvest five more beautiful whitetail bucks, four of which are record book contenders. I harvested my best buck so far this past season in Kansas, a 147 5/8&quot; eight point which can be seen along with my 125&quot; Wisconsin 8point on Don and Kandi Kisky's &quot;Whitetails taking it to the Extreme™ 2&quot;. I also enjoy turkey and bear hunting in which my Florida turkey hunt and my Minnesota Bear hunt can be seen on Realtree's All Stars of Spring 9 and Jay Gregory's &quot;The Wild Outdoors&quot; television show.

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Bump

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

That is one fine lady. Why isn't there more fine women like that who love the outdoors? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

As for some pictures, I look forward to posting 2-3 of the deer I crush this year. Hopefully one nice doe, and two bucks. The two monsters that are roaming my hunting area this year. I know they are still there, because last year they avoided me all season long. <img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>

This year they won't be so lucky. But I'll use the advice you posted. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

I just watched &quot;Primetime Bucks 6&quot; last night and they actually had a segment on &quot;Taking better pictures&quot; and it was a pretty good quick segment.
The main tips were:
1. Place a rock or log underneath the chest cavity which will raise the animals front up and make it appear fuller
2. Use windex to clean away blood from the mouth.....will make the whites much whiter
3. They also used HuntingBry's suggestion of taxidermy eyes to eliminate the 'Dead' look.......it was pretty slick and I might have to get a set. You just pop them right in with the deers eyes (no need to pluck out the eyeballs! <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>) They looked great.
4. Get your weapon in the picture....helps tell the story.

I'm also looking forward to sharing my own pics this season.......I'll make sure I &quot;Practice what I Preach&quot;! :)

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

A couple of tips I've learned on taking pics:

Sky-light the Rack. Get the photographer to lie down and take the picture looking up. The light behind the rack will make it stand out.

Hold the Rack to the side of you. Notice all the pics posted in an earlier post, the lady is always to the side of the deer’s head.

If you’re by your self, get a tripod to put your camera on, use the timer or remote to take pictures.


Happy Hunting
Kestrel

RE: Take Quality Harvest Pics!!.....tips/suggestions
 

Again, good post Matt. Check out how out of hand this topic can get. it looks like they finally locked this one. Geesh!<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle>
http://forums.pse-archery.com/showth...&threadid=5493