Taking Photos to Last a Lifetime

Taking Photos to last a lifetime

Taking photos of your fish catches help you keep a record of the fish you have caught. Whether it is for your own use or to post on the internet or to post at your local bait shop, you want it to look good. What makes a good picture? What does it take? How should I hold the fish? What if I am alone?

What makes a good picture? Where you are fishing makes a difference on what you want. If you are fishing a great lake in the city you might want a nice skyline of the city behind you or maybe the marina on the other side of the lake. On a southern Minnesota trout stream you might want the spot that is your honey hole, or the grass you walked through to get there. Just be aware of your surroundings. The other thing to be aware of is where your light is coming from. On a cloudy day it is much easier to keep from away from heavy shadows. It is better for the fisherman to be looking into the sun than the camera on sunny days, when the camera is facing the sun it takes away most of the detail that is wanted in the photo. The next part of a good photo is framing in the fish and the angler. Most fish can be held up near the anglers face horizontally thus the photo would be taken in a landscape position. In some instances such as large catfish are easier to take vertically, however most fish will be taken in the landscape position. With today’s technology it is easy to correct minor flaws in photos so they can be cropped as long as a quality camera is used.

Holding a fish is so important but many times overlooked. A fish must be controlled but not harmed if it is going to be released. If a hand is over the fish and the fish can be barely seen what is the point. Viewers of the picture want to see the fish not your hand. Support the bottom of the fish and the side of the fish against you. On larger fish often times I will sit down and use my legs to rest the fish to reduce the chance on the fish flopping out of control.

Taking pictures while alone can be easily done with the right tolls and preparation. Many times while online you will see a picture of a fish in a person's hand or on the floor of a boat, even though they are nice fish they are not quality photos that will be cherished for a lifetime. This could be changed with just a little extra preparation.
Tools needed

• Digital camera with a timer
• Small tripod
• That is it!

To be Prepared
1 Know your camera especially the timer feature.
2 Have an appropriate tripod. When I am packing in light I often take my Little Tripod that Folds very small and extends to about eye level.
3 Set up your camera with a background that will enhance the photo of your fish such as where you are fishing in a creek, a grassy meadow, Brush.....whatever you like to see. I personally try to avoid bridges and roads. Also think about the sun angle to avoid over exposure or glare.
4 Know where to stand to not cut yourself out of the photo.
5 Take your time make sure you can hold the fish well without covering the fish.
6 Take a quick look at your photo on your digital camera to see if you like the photo.



















 

This picture of my father and his Tullibee is zoomed out just a little too much but easily fixed by cropping the photo. It is not necessary but it would put the fish as more of the focus. Also he is wearing sunglasses, normally not a desired look but it was so bright it was hard to see. As you can see he is holding the fish so you can see the entire fish.
























 

Once again a good cropping would be helpful. I put this picture up to show how in this instance the sunglasses were better left on.

Here is a Shorthead Redhorse Photo taken in a wonderful setting highlighting the fish and the surroundings the fish was caught in. It was taken on a cloudy and misty day in June. The lighting is great my hat is not covering my face and the entire fish is visible. The red tail against the green background highlights the subject in the photo.

























 

This is a great example of a night shot where the flash is not overpowering. Also the angle of the fish is different but still able to ID the fish. Night shots can be very tricky and need more attention but pay off with a shot like this. As always a cropping could help this picture.






















 

This photo is a lot of hard elements all in one. I was out fishing by myself this night fishing for cats. After a short fight and my camera gear ready to go I put the camera on timer and got this shot on my first try. It is not the best but still good. Showing the boat adds to the story being out at night and heavier gear. A little closer shot would be good or cropped. My face is not covered by my hat and only a little glare off of the fish makes the picture one that I cherish.

As time goes on you will have your favorite style and pictures become your style. You will have your favorites in your ever expanding fishing album.

Everyone has their own opinion about what makes their pictures good and as long as you like the photo that is what matters because they are a hard copy of your fishing memories.

Aaron Bye