1. Be aware of your light source. Make sure your subject is well illuminated. Have them facing into the sunlight and use a flash to fill in the shadows. Late afternoon or midday photos are always better when the fill flash is used. This is by far, the biggest mistake that most amateur photographers make with their photos. LIGHTING MAKES THE PHOTO !
2. Have your subject tip the hat back on their head (or remove it) so that the shadows don't obscure the faces and details.
3. Zipping up jackets also buttoning and tucking in shirttails always adds a neat, professional look to your photos.
4. Have subject hold fish close to their body to show the true size of the catch and present a neat, tidy picture. Turn the fish broadside and let the light shine on it for the best photos.
5. Remove background clutter. Nothing wrecks a great photo more
than seeing cars, on a highway in background, appearing to drive through your subjects head as they display their "catch- of-a-lifetime". PAY ATTENTION TO THE BACKGROUND !
6. Watch your shadow. Don't let your own shadow fall across the subject or in the photo field in front of them.
7. Photos of fish taken on or near the water are typically best.
Pictures of game should be taken in the woods or fields to capture the moment.
8. Try to take photos in natural settings, with no vehicles,buildings or "friends" in the background. KEEP IT CLEAN ! Indoor pictures of fish or game are generally not very eye-appealing.
9. No alcohol containers should EVER be visible in your photos.
You want to show the sports of fishing and hunting in a positive light. There is always time for refreshments and recalling the days events after the all of the work is done !
12. Close-ups of a single fish or piece of game are preferred. Stringer shots don't do justice to the true beauty of the fish. Hi-lite that special fish or piece of game from the days take and make it memorable. Try to not show any blood in your photos.
It does not enhance the photo in any way!
13. TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS ! Don't just point the camera and assume that you will get a stunning, vibrant picture. It won't happen without your help. Move around the subject to get the best lighting for your photo. Don't just take your photos from standing height either. Kneel down or stand on something to elevate you over the subject. This will give some new and
interesting looks to your photos.
14. Again, TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS ! Take several shots of the same subject from different angles and you will be amazed at the difference. Take several shots from each position to ensure that you will get "the perfect photo". Your photos are a way to capture your memories, make them great !
Now that you know all of the secrets to great photography,
how would you like to share some of your photos on our site! We would love to see some of our members and their greatest fishing moments captured on film. Any past member of the "Lunker Club" please send in your best picture and we can add you to the site. Other topics of interest would be "Vintage" pictures from the early years of the club. Another area we need photos for is the "Kids" section. If you have a photo of your kids with a big fish that they caught, send it in ! We also want to start an album of kids and their first fish ever caught. If you have them . . . we need them !
Mail COPIES of your photos to :
Southtowns Walleye Association of WNY, Inc.
4932 Clark Street
Hamburg, NY 14075
Submitted photos CAN NOT be returned. Please send a copy
of your photo and keep the original for your own collection.
