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Outdoor Photography, Cameras, and Fish
Good outdoor photography, especially fish shots, are priceless. And with today’s new mini digital cameras, it’s easier than ever. Whether you use a traditional 35 mm or digital, here are tips to keep in mind when that lunker comes-a-calling.
- Carry a Camera - A small compact camera, digital or otherwise, is more practical than a large clunky one. We have a tendency to leave the big one at home when in a hurry. And we’re always in a hurry, it seems. Of course we always miss a great shot when sans camera. A small compact one is easy to stow. Unless you are a finicky professional, a small one will get used and work well. Buy a disposable if need be, but bring something.
Show your partner before you start fishing how it works. This will cut down on the fish handling time immensely and make for a better shot. Place the camera somewhere that is easily retrievable when you have your hands full. Make it a simple process of handing the camera to your partner ready to shoot. Make sure the partner understands basic picture balance (see below) and how to apply the flash.
- Using a flash - especially on bright sunny days to better see the angler’s face under a hat. For just a fish shot, you probably don’t need to flash. A flash will put a sheen on the fish which you may not want and may cause a white out (see the Rainy lake fish below). If purchasing a camera, buy one with a built in
 flash. You can normally augment most of them if they have a hot shoe on top or another type of supplementary connection. The built-in flash thrown by most cameras is perfect to highlight the fish and the fisherman. Without a flash and in AUTO mode, most cameras will light meter off the lighter background making you and fish shadowed. The flash will take care of this. When in doubt always take a shot with and without and see what you think.
- Focus on the Fish! - Do not cut off any part of the fish!
Go ahead and hack off someone’s head, but get the whole fish. We are as not concerned with the people as we are the fish. Nothing looks worse than a beautiful fish with no tail. Certainly try to balance the shot and get everyone in the photo. Always zoom back when unsure of the image. With digital you can always adjust the shot by cropping or trimming to make it more appealing.
- Posing for pictures - The best advice is don’t pose. We suggest two or three different types of shots. Experiment until you get a formula that works in a particular situation. First, “lip-hold” the fish hanging vertically or partially propped with the other hand to bring the fish up at an angle. Keep the fish close to your body and chest high. Don’t hold it out toward the camera. Nobody falls for that one anymore. This way your almost sure to get the anglers head in as well.
- Vertical vs Horizontal - Holding the fish vertically offers a more pleasing picture that a horizontal hold. However, with big long fish like pike, muskie or salmon, stand at an angle with the fishes head pointing toward the camera, almost like you’re cradling a shot gun, pointing at the camera. This can be a very effective shot. Many times
- Look at the fish - it offers a more interesting shot if you gaze admiringly at the fish. See below. The Rainy Lake shot was flashed on a very bright day and the subject was very shaded, Fortunately the fish was photogenic in this one (how’s that fer a nice “farmer’s tan”).
 vs. 
The shot on the right lacked resolution when taken. When we reduced it it became grainy. Set your digital camera to a high resolution setting, around 1280 which will give you a good resolution and a large image - about letter size or bigger. This will allow you to print a good quality large photo if you so desire. While this will take up space on the camera, it will allow you freedom to convert the image to an email size ( usually 150 - 25- pixels wide). If you are only using images for emails, then set your resolution to the “email” setting on your camera.
- Look at each other - If your standing with someone else posing with fish, instead of looking at the camera, look at each other and smile. You’ll be amazed how much better the photo looks! Here’s a shot from Minnesota’s Boundary Waters from years gone by. Brad Miller and Jim Minkler - 1979. This shot was scanned in, cropped a bit, and is one of my favorites to demonstrate posing. Try both looking at each other and looking at the fish or other point of interest!
Graphic software with digital images - We take the pictures back to the home graphics lab and go to work on them. The image below left is a flashed shot on a cloudy day. The fish is well lit even though it was quite overcast. The image below right was given some “warmth” by the graphics image software and looks more realistic.  We have experimented with most of the common photo graphics
software. You probably have something on your machine to use. There are a multitude of programs from which to choose. Many of the programs are difficult to use and learn. Save yourself some time here. The most intuitive, easy to use software package we’ve found after evaluating about ten different ones, is Photo Impact. You can get a free trial of this by clicking here Photo Editing Software . For a few tips on graphical manipulation and functions to make your digital life easier click here.
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