Photography Tips for the Hunter
It’s often said that the second most important shot a hunter takes is the one taken with the camera after the harvest. This will be a memory for a lifetime, so take the time to pose the animal and hunter in the best possible location with natural cover in the background. It may seem like a waste of time when there is still the work of field dressing and cleaning to be done, but you will be glad you took the time once you’re out of the field.
The following tips will help hunters pose their field shots better and ultimately leave the field with a photo that reflects the true nature of the hunt:
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Always try to take the pictures in the field, not at camp or your home. The background should be completely natural. Never take the picture while the deer is in the bed of a truck or hanging from something. Shoot it on the ground with natural cover behind the hunter. If you must take the pictures after the hunt is over, try to find an area similar to the setting where the deer was harvested.
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Make sure the deer is clean by wiping blood off the antlers, face and body of the deer. Make sure the hunter doesn't have blood on his/her hands.
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Close the deer's mouth so the tongue is not protruding.
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Place the deer in front of the hunter and never sit on it while taking a picture.
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If the picture is posed after the hunt is over, make sure you wear the camouflage or hunter orange you were wearing in the field.
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Take several photos. Film is cheap and if you only take one or two shots and something is wrong with them, it is impossible to recreate the full experience. Digital cameras offer the ability to take dozens of pictures and delete the unwanted ones later.
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With antlered deer, take the picture from an angle to allow all tines to show. When you take a picture directly from the front, the main beams of the antlers may hide some of the tines in the rear.
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If you wish to place your firearm or bow in front of the deer, point it in a safe direction.