Photographing fish

[Deitz Dittrich]

My Spot?.. LOL... I do like the pict!

[Shack]

I wrote this yesterday, but do to issues at the time I wrote it, I am psting it now:

This is a great thread!

Deitz, I have seen that image of your crappie some where before!

I tell ya, this site has some of the best fishing image takers in MN. Taking an image of your catch is a great way to relive the moment for years to come. Any image is a good image for me. Now, when it comes to posting it on FM, I wanted to learn the professional way on how to do it. I know there are many great image takers here on FM, but the ones that stand out to me are Hanson, Matt Johnson, Tyler Holm and I will throw Deitz in their also . These guys have a knack for taking an image and making people who see the image wish they where there with them. I studied how these guys take their images and started to work on mine. Here are some idea’s I coined from them on how they take their images.

First and foremost (like stated) is lighting.

If it is not in your favor, the image will be hard to see or worse. I will throw into this first step the many other aspects of photography also, like focus, centering image, and others. If you have not yet, visit the Photo Sharing forum for more info on these topics and ask any questions you have.

Second is your pose.

I have found that being relaxed and taking a deep breath before you take the image, goes a long way in the final outcome of your image. Remember to “KEEP EYES OPEN”. That is possibly the most common mistake most will make when taking an image. Also, even though taking an image with your catch can be quite involved, “remember to smile”. That was a major mistake I was making and if you do not smile, it takes so much away from the image.

Third is, try to get the most out of your image.

One thing I started to notice was how the pro’s on FM handle their catch. You would never think this, but there are many ways holding a fish can add to the image in a huge way. Also you never (at least I do) want to take an image with you handling the fish in a manor that is harming the fish. I think it takes away some of the fun in the image and just does not promote a good all around “image” for the sport. Also, if the fish is bleeding, remember to dip the fish right before the image is taken. Again, a bloody fish takes away so much from the image you are going to share with others. Another note, a miss handled fish or a bloody fish image could be against forum policy and will be removed shortly after posting it. Again the Photo Sharing forum has a great “sticky” topic that can help you further with questions on these issues and forum policy link has all you need in it, to make sure your image is not deleted. Also, I like to get the gear into the mix. This is again something I had seen others doing and I seemed to enjoy viewing this so much, I started to do it.

I am sure I missed a ton of info and some of the info I just posted might not work for others. Best thing is get out and practice. I am no where’s near a pro, but have come a long was since last summer, thanks to the guys and gals here on FM. Taking a good image, just makes sharing that image that much better (IMO).

Add note: I am not a fan of the long arm image. It is just a standard thing to make sure not to do in images being taken to put on FM. But!!, again, any image is a good image for my photo files and sharing with the kids in years to come. Also in a "catch and release" situation, getting the fish back in the water is a major factor, but when I get a fish I feel is worth taking an image of, I quickly reveiw the image before returning the fish, just to make sure the image looks ok.

For me, the smile was the one thing I had to work on big.

This one was taken at night in a dark shack, but gives you an idea of me using what I have learned from the guys/gals here on FM. When you get the FM way to take images down, it shows a story of your catch, for others to see and learn from.

Good luck!

[Dark Cloud]

All great points guys. I too dont like the long arm shots. The fish away from your body but arms not fully extended look the best. With this trout I probably could have extended my arms a tad more. The fingers actually give size reference in this pict plus trout shouldnt be held in the gills likea walleye or muskie can(not enough finger room) and they cant be lipped like a bass...

Many time im alone or my dad is on the other side of the river...

I take alot of macros when alone also. Most digitals have this setting and with some practice you can get some really neat pictures...

I like action shots too. A 3-4 photo sequence can tell a nice story...

Dont forget other stuff like scenery picts, bugs, flowers ect...

This flower pict was taken with a relativly inexpensive- 300$ Olympus 790 camera. When the setting and lighting are right you can do wonders with a small camera...

Bugs...

Scenery...

Dont forget release shots and sunsets also. I ran out of room in this post, your only allowed 10 picts in a post. Maybe i'll put some more in another post...

As you can tell im a photo junkie. I take alot and learn alot by teking so many and seeing what others do right and wrong. I see so many picts that could really shine if the backround was diff or the fish was heald right.

Another tip is to learn your camera. Even simple point and shoots have settings that optimize things...

[Dark Cloud]

Its raining and im bored - dont feel like doing laundry or tying flies.

Heres some more picts...

Release shot but remember to take off sunglasses...

And an exaple of how not to smile. It was early in the morning and I was 3/4 asleep. Standing in the front of the boat with nothing showing really keys in on the fish and scenery...

When alone puting the rod in the picture gives nice reference. Try and be quick - have your camera close and leave the fish in the water till your ready...

Taking the picture from a lower angle makes for nice picts. My dads not a very good smiler. He blames it on his false teeth, lol. If I get him to laugh then I get a better smile...

Some more scenery pictures...

Early morning, late evening, and nightime pictures give a neat effect also. Takes practice lineing things up when you cant see. Thats whats nice about a digital - take 4 and hope to get one good one. I should have squared up this fish a bit more and I could have long armed a 14 pound steelie int a 20 pounder, lol

One of my fav's from last fall. My dads the 4th dude up. The river was loaded with salmon and fresh steelies - glad I stopped fishing for a minute to snap some pictures...

Took this from 22 ft up on opening day of archery about 5 minutes after arrowing a deer...

[solbes]

Wow, I really like your third pic and that great shot up in the deer stand. I've seen a lot of other great looking pictures in this thread also.

I never really liked the long arm either. Confusing how a 24" walleye can look larger than a 29 or 30", but it's true. I like to handle them horizontally to keep the pressure off gill areas. My main problem seems to be getting my supporting hand out of the picture. Oh well, things to work on.

[JimBuck]

I agree with you on the handling of fish horizontally. Except for the bucketmouths....but even with them I still try and support the body. We had a thread going in the Expert Information section that might be of interest to those of you who use C.P.R. alone often. Happy fishing.

[EricD]

This has been a great thread! Thanks everyone. There's a lot of great tips. I'm excited to try some of them out. They joy of digital.

[Travis1]

Here's how you do it when you're alone. Put it on something with sharp contrast and get a reference object like a foot. (Even though I wear 15's)

This is an example of how not to do it because there is nothing to reference the size to. This buffalo couldn't have been much over 17 inches but he looks big.

Both fish were caught today.

[H2O Milfoil]

If my arms were 6 feet long, all my bass would be 14 pounders!

[tisosy11]

I do all kinds of different poses. Never do the straight arm...usually have it bent in front of me...don't really care if the fish looks smaller than my hand!

[Hammer Handle]

At 6'4" tall with long arms...all my fish could be monsters!!!!

Each time I see a straight arm shot...I have to laugh. Easpecially when they say it was 20 inches long...and that makes the person only 40 inches tall....

[Cicada]

I think the secret of the big boys on their magazines is to use an ultra wide angle lens. The fish in the center is the least distorted part of the image and the fishermen always seem to have a little lean to them. Sometimes you can see the horizon also has a bend in it. Another trick is to crop out all the extra elements like the background. Just you and the fish taking up most of the frame.