Hunting and fishing memories endure long after the season ends, and photography is the best way to preserve them.
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 snapshot capturing the genesis of a lifelong journey. We also recognize our repeat visitors. A few youngsters, like Gunnar Smith and Owen Silzer, have practically grown up on this page.
Of course, there's a big difference between snapshots and photographs. You know them when you see them, especially when they're side by side on the Outdoors page of this newspaper. The difference is just a little extra time and preparation.
High-resolution cameras in smartphones allow anyone to take color photos that are suitable for publication. They are simple to use and remove most of the user-error element that's endemic to traditional cameras.
Composing the photo is the key. This entails putting the hunter and trophy in an attractive setting that's free of clutter.
Some photos are clearly afterthoughts. The deer is sprawled in the bed of a battered old pickup with its head flat on the tailgate, tongue hanging out and blood splattered everywhere. That's a typical hunting snapshot. They are authentic, but they are undeniably amateur in nature and convey disregard for the game and for the moment.
A little TLC can turn that same scene into a timeless photo.
First, put the deer on the ground. Remove excess blood, and stuff the tongue back in the mouth.
Notice 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. In turkey season, I love 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. Windmills and old barns are classic.
Position a buck's head by hoisting it with your hands under the main beams. If it's a doe, position its head by manipulating the head under the cheeks. To make antlers look bigger and more dramatic, the photographer can lie on the ground and shoot upward.
Position the hunter's head clearly within the antler spread. Make sure that none of the tines appear to pick the hunter's nose, and that no trees or utility poles sprout from his head. Remove plastic buckets, corn sacks, drink cans, liquor bottles, plastic bags, greasy rags, chains and anti-freeze jugs from the frame, as well.
Take the cigarette out of your mouth, remove your sunglasses and tilt your cap bill backwards to light the subject's face. Remove caps or garments that express overly personal or off-color messages.
Lighting is the most important element. The soft, saturated light of early morning and early evening are best. It makes florescent orange really pop, makes a deer's hair and antlers look almost golden, and really brightens a nice background.
The hunter and trophy should face the sun, and no shadows should be on the subject or trophy.
Shadows ruin photos. Every year I get shots that would be great if the subject had simply backed up five paces into the shaft of light behind him. The background "spotlight" also plays havoc with exposure.
In low light, use a flash. Always make sure the hunter and trophy are in focus. Shoot several frames from different angles.
There are people that examine outdoors pictures for violations, and they email when they think they see one. 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.
Duck season opens Nov. 19. It's a misguided tradition for one duck hunter to pose with multiple limits of ducks, even though four or five hunters actually shot the birds. Photos showing a hunter with overlimits of game is a bad idea.
Email photos to bhendricks@arkansasonline.com. Please 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. Please 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 good "shooting!"
Sports on 11/03/2016