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The following article below appeared in the October 2004 issue of Mississippi Woods & Water. Paul T. Brown, wildlife photographer extraordinaire of Brandon, MS. shared his top ten photo tips with Mississippi Woods & Water. Keep these hints in mind when you harvest your next trophy.

(I have taken the liberty of including some MBA Images demonstrating the fine "TIPS" that Paul has shared with us. I hope you will follow these 'example' links).

Ten Tips for Taking Better Trophy Shots


(1) Watch your background. Choose a natural background. Keep it simple. Busy, distracting backgrounds can ruin a picture. Simple backgrounds will focus attention on your subject. Watch for objects "growing" out of the subject's head. Never shoot hero pictures in the driveway, back of a truck or on a meat pole or skinning rack.

(View an example of an appropriate natural back ground).

 

(2) Keep your camera handy. How many times have you said, "if only I had my camera?' You never know when you or someone you know will take a beautiful trophy buck.

 

(3) Have the hunter look at the photographer's shoulder. The hunter should look slightly off to one side and not directly into the camera.

(View an example of a hunter not looking directly at the camera).

 

(4) Look for good lighting. A cloudy, overcast day makes for better hero shots. Bright sun causes people to squint and creates harsh shadows. If photographing in bright light, place the sun behind you, shining on your subject.

(View an example of how bright sun tends to cause people to squint).

 

(5) Clean up the animal. No blood or tongues hanging out! Make sure the entire area in the frame is blood free. Make your animal look alive.

(View an example of a clean animal with no hanging tongue-[no flash used]),note the shadows below the cap bill].

 

(6) Pay attention to the hunter's appearance. Clothing should be clean and blood free. Include the weapon in the photo. Make sure it is in a safe position.

(View an harvest example of an appropriately attired hunter).
 

(7) Move in close. Don't include a lot of empty space. This is probably the biggest mistake photographers make---setting up too far away. If you are photographing a hunter and his deer, include just that---the two of them. "Tighter" images make powerful pictures!

(View an example of a 'tight/in-close' harvest photo).
 

(8) Shoot both horizontal and vertical formats. Most people tend to only shoot horizontals. Often

(View an example of a vertical/portrait format with a natural background).
 

(9) Use a flash. A flash will soften harsh light, fill in shadows and brighten color, especially in bright sunlight. Shoot it both with and without the flash.

(View an example of using a flash in bright sunlight with a natural background).

 

(10) Choose the right film or digital settings. Paul prefers 100 ISO rated film and the lowest ISO setting on a digital camera. Lower ISOs work for most situations and yield sharper images and rich color.

(11) I would like to add one additional tip consideration to Paul's classic "10 Tips' above. When taking photos of your trophy animal, demonstrate full respect for your animal and refrain from 'sitting on' or 'mounting' your trophy.

(View an innocent but inappropriate example of 'sitting' on your harvested trophy).
(The upper image is certainly preferred over the lower image).


Editor's Note: Paul T. Brown is a nationally acclamined, award-winning photographer from Brandon, MS. His photography skills have taken him all over the country in pursiit of that perfect shot. You can learn more about Paul Brown and his photographs at www.trueexposures.com.
Additional articles will be posted each month on this web site. Discussion and comments are welcomed on the:
Mississippi Bowhunters Association Talk/Forum.

If you have an article that you would like to submit for the Technical and Educational section of the MBA Website, please contact me by phone @ 662-323-1514 or by e-mail at bowdoc1@bellsouth.net. The MBA welcomes your participation.

Joe R. Bumgardner, M.D.
Immediate MBA Past President/Web Master/Web Coordinator
Mississippi Bowhunters Association
bowdoc1@bellsouth.net
662-323-1514