Photographing your catch

[Roscoe]

Most of us are c&r advocates here, myself included. Who out there has the experience and know how to take a good looking photo, and can give some pointers to us that struggle. I just got some pics back today of nice fish that look like s**t because of poor photography.

[Ryan]

I'm no expert but here's what I've figured out on my own.

*If wearing a hat, make sure it's not casting a shadow on your face.

*Make sure to have the back of the fish lean toward the camera, not the belly. Most bellies
are white and ugly.

*Hold the fish about 18" out in front of you, holding it with as little of your hand showing as possible, and if possible tuck your elbow(s) behind the fish where it(they) wont be seen in the photograph.

*If you can make a walleye raise it's dorsal fin that looks all the better.

*Ask yourself what is in the background?

* Have the photograph taken at a fairly close range so there is more fish and fisherman in the photo than landscape.

*smile

Any other thoughts from others?

[Fish-on]

Turn the flash on and leave it on. If you don't have a camera with a flash fill, throw it in the lake and go get one.

Read my article on muskie central about taking "Phantastic Phish Photos"

Also, use fast film for clarity, 200 speed or better yet 100. Forget 400 speed except for indoor photos.

[skipjack]

When buying film, the higher the number, the faster, (ie less light needed), the film is, soooooo in this case, 800 speed whould be a better speed than 100 or 200 if a 'fast film is indeed what you want. In general descent daylight, either 100 or 200 work fine in most cameras.

Good luck - Charlie K (skipjack)

[Cliff S.]

I suggest you not take a picture at all...it makes for a much better "fish story"!! Smile!!!!

[Juls_WI]

Just to add a bit more to the already good advice...

Never have the sun behind you...always in front of you.

Focus on the fish, not on the angler. If you look at fishing mags..alot of the anglers are out of focus a bit, compared to the fish.

Keep the horizon as straight as possible.

Smile! ;-)

Juls

[Fish-on]

My mistake. The higher the ISO number, the "faster" the film. Low ISO films need more light. 800 speed film would be an example of a film that would capture more light in lower light conditions, however it would be very grainy and would result in poor photos, especially if they are to be enlarged. I use Fuji 100 exclusively for prints and Fuji Velvia for slides, which has an ISO of 25. It makes for spectacular magazine covers.

[FIsh-on]

Juls, some of the best fish photos I've seen have the sun behind them, but the subjects are lit with a fill flash. I definitely agree that the last thing you should check before hitting the shutter button is to make sure the horizon is level.

[Wall-nut]

When framing the shot, keep this rule of thumb in mind: Never cut off the head of the fisherman nor the tail of the fish.

[eyewinder]

Here's a little different twist on the how-to-take-a-good-photo dilemma: I carry a camera, and when there is someone fishing with me, no problem. However,there are times when I'm by myself (happened last weekend), and want to photo & release.
If there are other fishermen around, I might ask them to snap the shutter. If not, rather than carrying the fish around in the livewell until I find someone, what do you suggest?
(The fish doesn't like to hold still for a photo unless you tap its head with a wrench, and that kind of eliminates the "release" part of the C-P-R equation!)
Oh yeah. . .posing the fish so as to offer some type of perspective showing the fish's size matters, too.

[Juls_WI]

When I said that, I had the people, who don't use super duper cameras, in mind. Without a good flash, colors will be dull if the sun is behind them. Your right though, I have seen some nice pics with the sun behind the subject too.

Juls

[Greg P.]

Here are my suggestions:
1. Buy a quality camera. You cannot expect a $20 point and shoot camera to perform as well as a more expensive one. Lens quality is of utmost importance. Larger lenses are generally better, not the zoom, but the diameter of the lens. (except on digital).

2. Have the sun at your back when holding the camera. Use a flash if possible.

3. Hold the fish close to your body. Holding the fish way out in front can cause the camera to focus on the fish, leaving the person holding the fish blurry. This is because at close range, your field of focus is narrow. And holding the fish way out in front causes distortion of things behind it.

4. Use a tripod when possible, and a timer.

5. Try and be as steady as possible when shooting the picture (not easy in a boat). The most common cause of poor pictures is when the person taking the photo moves the camera when pushing the trigger. Hold the camera steady, securely and squeeze easy, like pulling the trigger on a gun, don't flinch.

6. Look through your viewfinder, and center the people and fish, fill the frame with them. Back up or move closer if you must.

7. Take two photos, one zoomed in a little and one not so. Throw away the bad ones away, or give the extras to your friends if they turn out good.

I have always found Pro-Ex to give me the best film development. I prefer 4x6 glossy.

I have two Minolta Maxims, with variable zoom lenses, they are fully automatic, with manual overides if needed. They were not cheap, but I always get great shots. There are many good camera manufacturers. I also have a couple of point and shoot models (+- $50), they do not take as good of photos, but they are smaller and I don't care if they get dropped or rained on.

That's my 2 cents. Hope this helps.

Greg (Ansel Adams) P.

[Tom]

I fish alone quite a bit and I would like to get a picture but during the week hardly anybody is around :). Anyhow, pressing buttons on the camera itself for the self timer is a pain so is there a camera with a remote control that you can use on a camera in an already mounted position where you can just click the remote and take the picture?

[RANGER]

This is a 2 part suggestion:

1) If you have a camera with a shutter timer you could get yourself a camera tripod that is designed for people that camp. It's small enough to fit in your pants pocket and clamps to just about anything (tree limb, boat rail, windshield, livewell lid.....)! They can be found at good photo shops, flea markets or by catalog (CAMPMOR in Peramis NJ(sp?)). I think they might even be on-line now.

If you don't have a timer:

2) place the fish on a wet towel and put a measuring stick next to it (for perspective) and shoot the fish. You won't be in the photo but your prize will!

RANGER

"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[Juls_WI]

I just re-read my advice...when I say the sun behind you...I mean to have the sun behind the person taking the picture, and on the front of the person in the picture.

Juls

[RANGER]

Yes, but you won't find them on inexpensive cameras. These are the Canons, Minoltas, Nikons etc. of the world. These cameras are equipped with remote release buttons that use cable or air pressure release mechanisms up to about 12 ft. in length. Most are around 4 - 6 ft

RANGER

[RANGER]

JUST CHECKED IT OUT - Go to campmor.com and search for "ultrapodII". This ought to be the answer to your problem.

RANGER

[Airwave(OH)]

Another fail safe answer is to buy a digital camera. That way you can view what you've done and delete it if it's not good and try again & again & well you get the picture(pun intended)They have come way down in price lately.

[jlobrain]

I bought a pentax with a remote for around $170
It has a good zoom, timer, and neat little remote with timer and zoom on it.as a former semi pro photographer I agree with most of the above tips.

[Tom]

Thanks guys. What is the Pentax model and can it be purchased off of the internet?

[Chad]

If the fish is bleeding wipe it off w/ a wet rag
Get close enough to fill the frame.
Do not cut off any part of the fish.
Hold the fish out towards the camara. This gives the perspective of being a bigger fish.
Try not to have your hands/fingers show.
Try some different poses. I just looked at my phot book and I have the same stance in each one. try kneeling or a photo showing you releasing the fish.

Be creative.