Photography in the Field

from Texas Dove Hunters Fall 2021

by Digital Publisher

Founders letter

TAKING BETTER PHOTOS

THIS HUNTING SEASON

Tips for Capturing the Perfect Shot

By Jay Schwisow

As we all prepare for the upcoming season, planning our hunts, organizing our gear, and readying our dogs, here are a few tips for taking better photos of your hunt.

Most of us carry a decent cell phone camera with us at all times, so it’s not as much about the gear but instead a few tips on how to better use whatever camera you have with you.

There are three items you’ll want to focus on when looking for that “perfect” picture.

LIGHTING

Most really great photographic images use lighting to make the image. The best outdoor light is what we photographers call the golden hour. It is the time of day just after sunrise and just before sunset where the sun is lower, less harsh, and warmer (more red). While many portrait photographers have to get up early or wait late in the day for this light, we, as hunters, are usually in the field during the best light of the day. You should take advantage of this by taking a break early in the morning to shoot some images just after sunrise or right after your hunt in the evening as the sun is setting. The standard rule for positioning your subject is for the light to be behind you to help reduce shadows, casting the best light on your subject. However, some stunning images can be

taken with that light behind your subject directly or filtered by trees or bushes. Give it a try sometime.

FRAMING YOUR SHOT

This should include a look at your surroundings. Can something in the surrounding landscape help to frame my subject or set it apart from the rest? What helps tell the story of the hunt? For example, capturing an image with sunflowers as your backdrop is a better dove hunting image than your dog sitting on the tailgate. Make sure there are no trees, fenceposts, or tall sunflowers that appear to be sticking out of the head of your subject(s). Dove hunters spend a lot of time sitting, so make sure you crouch down when taking a picture of your group or gun dog. If you hunt alone, think about using a camera/phone holder and a small, lightweight tripod. This is way better than an arm’s length selfie. Take a couple of test shots and then set a five-second timer on your camera/phone.

READYING YOUR SUBJECT

This can be a simple smile, talking to others, looking to the sky, loading a gun, or maybe walking out of a field. Be sure to include some hunting gear. Personally, I am not a big fan of those dead bird hero shots (one guy with 3 limits). Instead of that, try picking out your nicest looking birds and staging those with your dog, a shotgun, or other hunting gear in the field. Sometimes less is more. When including your dog, try getting his attention by throwing another bird, retrieving a dummy, waving your hat, or blowing a duck call. Dogs always look better with those ears perked up. Throwing something very high in the sky could help you capture them looking up like they are watching the sky for more birds.

With the gear we have today, we are blessed to be able to take lots of free digital images. So experiment a bit and have fun capturing those hunts.