ONE of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to hunting is seeing a picture of someone's harvest where they didn't take the time to get a decent picture. One - because I think we owe it to the animal to portray them with the utmost respect in death and Two - who wouldn't rather have a good picture to show off their trophy??? Below is an article that I wrote for Archery County on this subject:
Capture that Trophy with a Perfect Photo
For many of us, the memory made is one of the most important aspects of the hunt. I doubt that there are many hunters (me included) who can look back through their photo albums without wishing for better pictures of some of their best trophies. With a little practice, planning, and forethought, you can preserve the memory of that hunt forever. Remember, you can't do it over once he's skinned and butchered, so take the extra time and follow these tips to help you get that perfect photo.
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Clean Up Your Act…
For a quality picture, you want your animal to look as "life-like" as possible. First & foremost, DO NOT leave a deer's tongue hanging out the side of its mouth. Smooth out the feathers on turkeys and other game birds; brush out the coat on deer and other big game animals. Remove as much blood as possible from both the animal & the area around it - water works pretty good for getting blood off a deer, but Windex is even better. Cover all visible wounds - leaves, snow, or even your weapon work pretty good for this. Also, always take your pictures before field-dressing the animal. Not only will it appear larger, but it will also look a lot cleaner and more life-like.
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You Don't Hunt in a Garage…
So why take your pictures there? Whenever possible, take your pictures in the field. Field photos almost always turn out to be the best, plus having a picture from the spot where you harvested the animal will only add to the memory. Even if you're by yourself, most of today's cameras have a timer for self-shots. If it's not possible for you to take your photos in the field, at least find a spot that looks "woodsy". Make sure that there are no houses, vehicles, other people, or anything else man-made in the background. Rule of thumb - if it would look out of place under your treestand, it doesn't need to be in your picture.
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Dress the Part…
This part is simple - it's a hunting picture, wear your hunting clothes. If blaze orange or a white over-suit is required, you should wear it in the picture. Not only do you want to remember that moment exactly as it happened, but the contrast of bright orange or white also really adds to an otherwise dull outdoor photo. The human eye is naturally drawn to others' hands so always put your gloves on before the picture. This will highlight what you are holding rather than the way you are holding it. Also, don't forget your weapon - nothing played a bigger part in your success, so it should be included in the photo.
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Shoot, Shoot, Shoot, and Shoot Some More…
With the modernization of digital cameras, each shot literally costs only fractions of a cent. The biggest mistake most hunters make in taking pictures of their trophy, is just simply not taking enough. You never know when you might have blinked or the camera might have been out of focus. If you think 10 is enough, take 20; if you want to end up with 20, take 50; etc. Shoot several different angles and poses - you really never know what's going to look best until you review them later. And when you think you're done, go back to view each shot on the camera's screen just to make sure you're happy with the results.
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What's Your Angle…
I'd recommend thumbing through some hunting magazines and paying extra attention to the photographs. Notice how the hunters pose their animals in the best shots. Turkeys normally look best with the wings spread, the tail fanned-put, and the back-end slightly raised. Antlers usually appear largest from a slightly "quartering - to" angle with the hunter in the background. Keep the sun to the side, or slightly behind the camera, but not so bright that the hunter is squinting or that the photographer's shadow is in the picture. And, whenever possible, keep the camera at or below the level of the subject - your trophy will appear smaller if the photographer is standing above you, shooting at a downward angle.
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Consider a Professional…
You've spent thousands of dollars on gear, tags, and hunts over the years when fate finally smiles on you with that "once in a lifetime" trophy - this is no time to skimp on the pictures. For these unique and extraordinary trophies, consider hiring an experienced outdoor photographer. There is no comparison between the quality of pictures from a professional camera versus your own "point and shoot", plus things like lighting, background, and poses come second nature to these folks.