Harvest photo tips...?

[Kat]

Well, it’s almost that time when we’ll be surrounded by harvest photos, some good, some not so good. A lot of you guys always have excellent harvest photos. What are your secrets? I know you should put the tongue back in the mouth (the deers!) and the photographer should kneel down to your level. Any other tips?

 

[NebraskaWhitetail]

Be selective about the angle (especially if the photo is take after field dressing). Take a minute to wipe blood off the antlers since it inevitably seems to get there. Also, I much prefer photos in the field over those taken in the back of a pickup.

 

[1arrow]

Hey kat just make sure you take alot of them and try and keep the pose as simple as possible. And watch out for too much back light. Good luck

 

[Liv4Rut]

there is many things to consider when trying to get the ulitmate harvest photo, here are some things I go by.

1. keeping the sun at your face, to eliminate shadows or to eliminate the blurrying, bright effect of the sun behind you.

2. if the tongue doesn't want to go back in simply cut it off.

3. take a dog grooming brush and comb down the deer hide to make it look nicer, especially if it has hung in the shed a day or two.

4. take a moist towel and wipe of any blood, usually around the face.

5. if you are wearing blaze orange take it off, the bright orange usually becomes more overwhelming than the actual deer.

6. I usually try to fold the front two legs underneath the deer so it is in a bedding position and you usually have to split the pelvic bone so the legs spread out flat on the ground behind it, which puts it in the perfect position.

7. try to find a background that does not blend in with the antlers, the sky works really well or dark timber.

8. have the photographer lay on his belly and look up at the deer, it generally skylights the rack and makes it look a little more impressive without holding your arm way out and sitting way behind it.

9. have the photographer fill up the whole view finder from the top of your head to the bottom of the deer, so the picture is just right instead of too far away.

10. usually it's nice to find a little knoll to put the deer in so the background highlights the deer better.

11. move any grass vegetationg that hides the deer or may get in front of the camera creating a blurr.

12. If you can see in the photo where the cut in the chest cavity from field dressing, make sure to put a back pack or something else in front of it so it does not show.

13. try to get any blood that may be in the vegation out of the picture.

14. if there is snow, dont take a picture where there is alot of people tracks. usually find a fresh area of snow and have a buddy lift the deer into it, and then you jump behind it, so it is a fresh snow scene, its critical to watch how much blood drips because that can ruin a picture.

15. take many photos from different scenes and different positions, you never know which one will produce the highest quality picture.

16. last and most importantly don't forget to smile

We have all put in too much time and hard work to not have a quality photo. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that is very true when it comes to field photos. That photo should be able to show the hunters excitement in their trophy and set off how magnificent whitetails really are. The photo really goes along with the hunt, alot of people take the time to be set up right but very few take the time to really top of their hunt and always have a quality photo to look back upon and really remember the hunt. Pictures in the back of the truck typically turn off other hunters and most don't even really want to read the story. hope this helps

 

[Kat]

Wow LIV!!

 

[stickbow98]

I'll second that...WOW, Liv! Excellent tips!

Only things I might add is..

1) Using glass eyes from taxidermy supply co. to avoid the "dead-reflective stare) and

2) Wearing camo gloves. Sometimes your hands can take away from the antlers. It's usually better if they are less obtrusive and "blend" in.

>>--Ron--<>

 

[Liv4Rut]

theres a million different ways to help improve photos, i can think of more and more just sitting here, but im sure as this thread dies off, there will be some awesome pointers out there to lead people in the general direction, some that most of us already know, and some that we never thought off, thats why you gotta love this site

 

[bjkpharmd]

Search the past messages on this topic- lots of great hints posted last year as well.

 

[PAHunter]

Alot of good advice,hopefully we all can put it to use soon.I was always one to use a complete roll of 24,and figured I should get a few good ones.

 

[Pupster]

I'll add one:

Make sure you get your weapon in the picture, it helps tell the story.

Pupster

 

[jdavis]

wow Liv that's a list! I'll have to print that off cos a guy can't remember all of that.

 

[Iowa1]

USE A FLASH!

The most important one of all.

 

[Daver]

If possible, use a digital camera. You can take many more more pictures and sort through them on screen without spending $'s to develop them. You can also usually review them on the camera proper and adjust your setup as necessary. It also aids posting them here so we can see them too!!

Otherwise, try to take the pictures prior to field dressing the animal. That isn't always possible, but it is highly desirable.

My personal opinion is that some guys try to look tough and do not smile. I don't about them, but after I am able to take a great deer I am happy and I tend to smile.

If the harvest is in the evening and the recovery is after dark, be sure to have light available. I have used as many as 4 or 5 small flashlights behind the camera to aid the flash.

Go get 'em.

 

[WhitetailSEMN]

Liv's got it covered. A night time shot in with pines in the background also makes a good photo. For the ones you don't get back home til after dark, and the animal is still somewhat felxible, for posing.