Hunting Season Pics

[huntnphool]

This is just a little reminder for all you successful hunters this year. A photo is something that will last the rest of your life and give you years of memories. Having said that I have seen loads of poor pics taken of some really nice animals, and it really is a shame. I read a couple pretty good articles on field photos a few years ago in Eastmans and thought I might pass them along for those of you that didn't catch those issues. Some of the stuff is outdated now and some of it is for submitting magazine articles but most of it is pretty informative and will help you with your field pics. Worth the read anyway, you may learn something. Click the links below if you want to read them.

[huntnphool]

I should also add, take a second to tuck the tongue inside the mouth and close it and if possible wipe the blood from the mouth and nose.

[RightPlace-RightTime]

That is really good advise for our future hunts.  I will really do this with my dads trophy from montana this year.  This info will really help.  Good pics and advise.  It just takes alittle longer but will pay off more down the road as we all look back at previous hunts.

[Slider]

Take a look at Tip 5 first photo. You will see a single tall weed that runs horizontal up the Bucks face. It  just takes a second to pull the weed's between the camera and the subject!!! Always check your pics after shooting them!!! You might not see the weed's unless you zoom in on the pic and look for them. It only takes a second to check your pic's and you can remove the weed's and take another pic. So zoom in after you take your pics and look around!!! It only takes one weed to spoil a good pic.
 Another thing to watch for are Shadow's!!! (Tip 5 pic 2) See the shadow's on his face from the horns. The animal could have been repositioned a little to prevent it.
 Another thing I do is use wet wipes. I carry a Ziploc baggie full in my backpack. It's the easiest way I have found to clean blood off of an animal. Good Luck

[Gutpile]

I agree phool. I really try to clean them up and position them so they look there best. In the excitement I've forgotten a few times; daughters first deer and my first bear but usually I clean them up and tuck the tounge in.

[tlbradford]

I never took good field photos until this past year.  Everything I have from growing up is gutted out deer, or decapitated heads.  This is good advice.  I learned the tongue tuck here on this website, but I had never given it a second thought prior to reading it here.

[huntnphool]

Maybe we could have Elkman and Pope chime in here and add some pointers?

[tlbradford]

Number one rule, don't forget to pack your camera 

[BC CHASER]

If it is cold out and you are the one taking the picture hold your breath so your breath doesn't show!  I have had this happen to me a few times.  It is hard to teach buddies to shoot.  I always have the worst photos taken of me.

[huntnphool]

Just a reminder guys, still seeing lots of pics with tongues hanging out and blood all over the mouth. It doesnt take much time to clean them up a bit before the pics but it can sure make a difference in the photo

[popeshawnpaul]

Ok, here are some pointers that need to be addressed.  I have tried to fix a bunch of photos from guys like bucklucky, bowsandhose, ridgerunner, etc.  One problem I see more than anything and one that I cannot fix is the overexposing or blowing out of photos in the sun.  You have got to review your shots and make sure the sunlight isn't too bright in the picture.  If anything, you want to adjust your exposure so that the whole photo is dark.  I can always make a dark photo light, but I can't make a bright overexposed photo look normal...unless it is shot in RAW format.  If you shoot in RAW no need to worry about all this.  However, if you are using a point and shoot beware.  Either get all of the animal in the shade or all in the sun.  When you have shade and sun in a photo it fools the camera exposure and the camera tries to make the shadows visible and blows out the highlights.  When there is no information in the highlights, you can't add any in later. 

By the way, if anyone is considering buying a point and shoot camera you should really look for cameras that shoot in RAW format.  Some do, like the Canon G series and others.  With raw, there are a few shots on HUNTWA that could have been magazine cover quality.  Also, always shoot at your highest image setting so you don't have a tiny photo like a 600x480 pixel shot.  A big photo is easier to fix than a tiny one and you can do more with it later.

Sticks and grass, yeah, try and move it.  However, it's not that important as I can fix that in photoshop fairly quick.  Blood, yeah try and get as much off as possible.  However, don't worry too much.  I can select the blood and take the color out making it not visible.  It actually makes it harder if you smear it around and there is a big pink spot on the hide.  Just leave it in a glob and I'll remove it later.  As long as you get it off the nose and it isn't too noticeable you can usually get rid of it. 

Hope that helps some of you that have yet to tag a big animal...

[cohoho]

Or invite Pope or Huntnphool to tag along and take those quailty photos for you.  I'm sure they won't charge too much.....

[M_ray]

I should also add, take a second to tuck the tongue inside the mouth and close it and if possible wipe the blood from the mouth and nose.

Or from your hands! Come on guy's take the pics before you unzip him! I'm not a prude and I don't have a problem with blood but it makes for a better pic and DOESN'T give the bunnyhuggers and puppypetters any ammo!

[bowsandhose]

good info 

[huntnphool]

I was going to bring this back to the top before archery season started but forgot, better late than never.