Photography preserves treasured hunting memories for the ages, and you can honor the moment with well-composed images.
Here at the Pine Thicket Bureau, we always look forward to deer season because of all the photos we get from fellow hunters who allow us to share their success with our readers. We mostly get photos of youths who have taken their first deer. The joy in those photos transcends words, and we regard each picture as a personal glimpse into a lifelong journey.
Of course, there is a big difference between snapshots and photographs. You know them when you see them, especially when they are side by side on the Outdoors page. The difference is just a little extra time and preparation. High-resolution cameras in smart phones make it easier than ever to take photos that are worthy of publication.
Composing the photo is the key. This entails putting the hunter and trophy in an attractive setting that is free of clutter.
First, put the deer on the ground. Remove excess blood and stuff the tongue back in the mouth.
Pay attention to the background. Colorful foliage makes a beautiful foundation and provides a seasonal perspective. A splash of orange, red or yellow in the background is unmistakably autumnal.
Position a buck's head by lifting it high and placing your hands under the antlers. If it's a doe, position its head by manipulating the head under the cheeks.
To make antlers look bigger and more dramatic, lie on the ground and shoot upward. Angle the head slightly to enhance perspective and depth of field.
Position the hunter's head clearly within the antler spread. Make sure none of the tines appear to be picking the hunter's nose. No trees or utility poles should sprout from his head, and utility lines in the background should not intersect with the hunter or game.
Remove plastic buckets, corn sacks, dog food sacks, drink cans, etc. from the frame. Take the cigarette out of your mouth, and remove caps or garments that express overly personal or off-color messages.
Lighting is crucial for great images. The soft, saturated light of early morning and early evening are best. It makes fluorescent orange really pop and makes a deer's hair and antlers look golden.
We often we get photos taken in shadows with a shaft of sunlight in the background or foreground. Move a few feet and shoot the photo in the light, with the sun behind the photographer. It makes all the difference.
Most importantly, always make sure the hunter and trophy are in focus. Shoot several frames from different angles. Have the subject look at the animal to draw the viewer's attention to the trophy.
Some people, including wildlife officers, examine outdoors pictures for violations. They count fish on stringers and they notice expiration dates on boat registration stickers. For that reason, we recommend hunters wear their orange garments while posing with their trophies.
In turkey season, we really like photos that show dogwoods and redbuds in bloom. It's also nice to have a site-specific element in the background that shows where the photo was taken, such as an old barn, a bluff or water.
Landmarks are especially nice for fishing photos. I've taken countless photos of anglers in front of "The Chimney" at Lake Maumelle. The Iron Mountain Marina sign at Lake DeGray or the Self Creek Marina sign at Lake Greeson also provide a definite sense of place, as do bridges and dams.
Duck season opens soon. It's traditional for one duck hunter to pose with multiple limits of ducks even though four or five hunters actually shot the birds. Send us that photo if you want to meet your local wildlife officer.
E-mail photos to bhendricks@arkansasonline.com. Include the hunter's name, age, hometown and the county or general area where the hunt occurred, as well as any other tidbits that will help tell a good story. Also include a short note giving the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette permission to publish the photo with the understanding that no monetary compensation will be provided.
Good luck, and keep them coming.
Sports on 11/01/2015