Adam Grace
06-14-2007, 11:01 PM
Many people take some pictures of fishermen with their fish that could be improved by following a few photography tips. Although some people are not as concerned about a "good" pictures as others like myself, I truly believe that more people would appreciate their pictures more if they came out looking better because they took the time to set up the shot. Now when I say "set up" I don't mean doing anything over-the-top like using reflectors or taking minutes to pose and compose. I believe that with a few suggestions and tips other fishermen can turn a bland picture into something to frame and better enjoy.
Below I have listed a few hints and examples to help improve some of your fish pictures.
Unfortunately there are those who still hold their fish like they are try to cover it up, try to hold your fish in a way to not cover parts up with your hands or arms, like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/FallRiverRainbow24x6.jpg
Notice how my left hand is behind the fish, easily griping the base of the tail with only a couple of fingers.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP1682.jpg
Here Gregg is cupping or cradling the fish, harder to do with more feisty/squirmy fish, and even larger fish.
Also if your photographer gets closer to you, your fish will also appear the right size, not too small. Just make sure you don't lock your elbows and thrust the fish into the lens to make it look like you are trying to make it looks much larger than it really is.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP4420.jpg
Note that my elbows are at the sides of my body not locked and straight out in front of me.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/ytrou3bias22605.jpg
In this picture, the fisherman is holding the fish a little too close to the lens, not an extreme case yet a little too close for honest comfort.
Shadowed faces are also a common problem. Next time you are taking a picture of someone with a hat shadowing their face change the flash setting on your camera to use a "fill flash" usually symbolized by a single lightening bolt, without an "A" or anything else next to it. That way the cameras flash will properly expose the fisherman's face.
I usually check my flash settings before handing my fishing buddy/temporary fish photographer my camera to make sure that my face isn't too dark/under exposed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP2386.jpg
This picture was taken without the flash, notice the dark, hard to see face.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP0410.jpg
Here's another with a dark face, that could have been brightened by a flash, although sometimes the flash will not do much good if the subject is this far or further away from the camera.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP2403.jpg
This picture was taken with a flash, my face is not real bright but it would have been much darker/worse without the flash.
Another suggestion is for a photographer to shoot with the sun to their back to reduce backlit photos and weird shadows.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP1710.jpg
This picture was backlit, I'm darker than my background, not a "good" picture, I should have turned the flash on, or maybe it was on yet ineffective.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP1685.jpg
This picture has some weird shadows that could have been avoided if I have changed my position.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP0064.jpg
This picture shows how bright your subject can be if the sun is to the back of the photographer.
The most important part of taking pictures is to not stress out the fish and keep it out of the water for too long. If you want more pictures give it a "drink" of water a few times between pictures.
Does anyone else have some tips to share or comments on my suggestions?
Below I have listed a few hints and examples to help improve some of your fish pictures.
Unfortunately there are those who still hold their fish like they are try to cover it up, try to hold your fish in a way to not cover parts up with your hands or arms, like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/FallRiverRainbow24x6.jpg
Notice how my left hand is behind the fish, easily griping the base of the tail with only a couple of fingers.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP1682.jpg
Here Gregg is cupping or cradling the fish, harder to do with more feisty/squirmy fish, and even larger fish.
Also if your photographer gets closer to you, your fish will also appear the right size, not too small. Just make sure you don't lock your elbows and thrust the fish into the lens to make it look like you are trying to make it looks much larger than it really is.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP4420.jpg
Note that my elbows are at the sides of my body not locked and straight out in front of me.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/ytrou3bias22605.jpg
In this picture, the fisherman is holding the fish a little too close to the lens, not an extreme case yet a little too close for honest comfort.
Shadowed faces are also a common problem. Next time you are taking a picture of someone with a hat shadowing their face change the flash setting on your camera to use a "fill flash" usually symbolized by a single lightening bolt, without an "A" or anything else next to it. That way the cameras flash will properly expose the fisherman's face.
I usually check my flash settings before handing my fishing buddy/temporary fish photographer my camera to make sure that my face isn't too dark/under exposed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP2386.jpg
This picture was taken without the flash, notice the dark, hard to see face.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP0410.jpg
Here's another with a dark face, that could have been brightened by a flash, although sometimes the flash will not do much good if the subject is this far or further away from the camera.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP2403.jpg
This picture was taken with a flash, my face is not real bright but it would have been much darker/worse without the flash.
Another suggestion is for a photographer to shoot with the sun to their back to reduce backlit photos and weird shadows.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP1710.jpg
This picture was backlit, I'm darker than my background, not a "good" picture, I should have turned the flash on, or maybe it was on yet ineffective.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP1685.jpg
This picture has some weird shadows that could have been avoided if I have changed my position.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP0064.jpg
This picture shows how bright your subject can be if the sun is to the back of the photographer.
The most important part of taking pictures is to not stress out the fish and keep it out of the water for too long. If you want more pictures give it a "drink" of water a few times between pictures.
Does anyone else have some tips to share or comments on my suggestions?