Better Fishy Photos - Tips and Tricks

As fishing these days is about more than just the act of catching fish and involves things like sharing the sport through the internet with photos and videos I thought we might be able to start a thread on how to improve our fishing photography/videos and share tips and tricks.

There are so many things that can have an inpact on how a photo ends up - How the fish is held, Sun location, boat clutter etc etc - and if we can learn some tricks on how to better frame and shoot pics we might be able to turn them from happy snaps into lasting memories that capture the situation.

I know we have a few people on the site who have written articles before and had photos published in magazines so any help you guys or others can add would be appreciated.

If anyone has any photos they would like to ask how they could be improved they could be added to the thread as well for comment/ideas from others.

 


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Great ldea tim

Sat, 2008-05-17 14:22

RUSS

 

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Flash!

Sat, 2008-05-17 14:46

One thing I learnt from Andy (thanks mate!) is the use of the flash, even in daylight to bring out the colours of a fish!

Yeah Russ, I agree, a great idea Tim.

Colin

 

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Fill Flash

Sat, 2008-05-17 14:58

Using a fill flash is always a good tip Colin.

With digital cameras pretty much everywhere these days it is easy to take a heap of photos from different angles and then go through them at home. It doesnt cost anything as no developing and you can then see how holding the fish on a different angle or taking the photo from a lower position can change the whole effect of the pic. 

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With the flash, just make

Sat, 2008-05-17 15:26

With the flash, just make sure if you have a highly reflective flash that the fish isnt angled like a mirror to wash it out. Also, raise the head a little if you're holding it vertically to stop head shadows if you arent using a flash.

Sometimes it can be good to try with and without a flash, as Tim said theres no development cost for digitals so snap away. For action shots, or where I might get blur, I use a multishot (havent tried it on fish though). Some cameras even have bracketing (either aperature, shutter speed or focus).

Some cameras have the ability to save a custom setup, so if you play around with it and find something you like its quite quick to set it to 'fishing' and get good shots. 

 

Andy Mac seems to know what hes doing, so hopefully he can add some pointers.

 

I have one trick that I want to use, but I have to wait til I catch a fish and have something other than a disposable camera to use.

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Love These Developing Threads...More

Sat, 2008-05-17 15:57

Sorry about the bad pun in the title LOL

1) Capture or release - if the species is a release one, be mindful of that before you take it out of its environment.

2) Know you camera - you don't want to be reading the manual out there - you want to be fishing and get the best shot.

3) The sun - done incorrectly, it can be you enemy - done right, and it can be a tool for a great shot. If you are forced to take a shot into the sun, make it a soluette, puting it behind the subject, then use a fill flash.

4) Shadows - if the sun is behind you, be midfull of where shadows are, this can really spoil a good photo.

5) Software - remember that there is a raft of very good software out there!

 

 

Colin

 

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Another

Sat, 2008-05-17 15:59

Another one that comes to mind is the old rod out of the anglers head trick.

Try and position the subject away from rods in holders etc or frame the pic so that rods, bait boards etc can be cropped out without spoiling the pic.

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Not many will agree with me,

Sat, 2008-05-17 16:06

Not many will agree with me, but  another one is, try NOT to make the fish look bigger by stretching out your arms, as all the viewer will remember is

"Oh that one wasn't that big, he only had his arms stretched out".

Be happy with what ever you caught - at least you caught something. 

 

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I think a few guys here

Sat, 2008-05-17 17:29

I think a few guys here would agree with you Alfred. I think its fine to have your arms out or closeup of the head with you in the background if its more of a 'arty' photo than an indication of size. That or at least have your arms showing. 

 

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Agreed Alfred!

Sat, 2008-05-17 17:33

Altough you do have to consider you camera's settings too - in the 'natural' position, some fish can actually be 'unrepresented'.

If you catch a big enough fish you won't be able to hold it out too far! Best solution all round I reckon Wink

Colin

 

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Good to get a landmark into

Sat, 2008-05-17 16:12

Good to get a landmark into it, so people don't think you're bullshi1ting them, just like that recent North Mole photo has the lighthouse off to the side =)

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fill the frame avoid busy

Sat, 2008-05-17 16:50

fill the frame
avoid busy backgrounds
sun on your back
early morning and late afternoon is the best light for a photograph.
If your using an SLR, depth of field and apateur are very important, you can also capture some great effects by ajusting your shutters exposure time. But lets keep things simple fo the time being

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Good Point Brad...but Till

Sat, 2008-05-17 17:16

Down here, if you find a great spot, especially close in ( I have a snapper spot) - don't give the spot away, as you say Brad with apeture, look at depth of field, 'phase' out the background if you have to.   

Colin

 

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So true, but that photo was

Sat, 2008-05-17 17:54

So true, but that photo was very carefully taken to show that there are good land based metro fish, you just have to work for them. I did laugh at a recent picture someone took fishing for bream, with a weird black haze background - an attempt to scrub the location from the location!

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And Where's Ryan's Tips?

Sat, 2008-05-17 17:21

Oh Yes, he was always on the OTHER side of the lens Laughing

And RIGHTLY so! WinkCool

 

Colin

 

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One from today

Sat, 2008-05-17 17:34


Angles, depth of field and focus on the fish not the angler.
Heaps of cracking shots of this fish, but I have to head out to a dinner tonight so maybe tomorrow I will post a few more.
Thanks Tony for sharing a great day on the water. Poor Sherbs missed out hey!Wink


Cheers

Andy Mac

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My big brov

Sat, 2008-05-17 20:42

He's not as good looking as me

And iam better at fishing

steve

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One last tip before I go

Sat, 2008-05-17 17:41


Try some different angles and get in close!!!! I can't stress that enough.
Poor Tony thought I wasn't taking a pic of him, just the fish, but by getting real up close and personal you can find fresh angles that give new perspective to the catpture rather than just a straight hold the fish, stand back and get heaps of water in the shot.
If you want a cover shot, turn the camera sideways and aim for a bit of sky at the top of the anglers head then fill the frame with the fish. The top bit opf sky is where the banner of the magazine goes. With this one its a little small but they can photoshop plain sky to extent the height.
I wasn't aware of photoshop in the mags until one of my pics of a nice pink snapper graced the cover.  When I saw it I thought there was something different about it. They had photoshopped out the entire set of clears that were behind the angler for the cover shot but inside the mag they left the clears in the pic.Surprised

Cheers

Andy Mac

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Another issue with boat pics

Tue, 2008-05-20 17:38

Water on the camera lens can spoil a really good shot.
Here is one taken at the Monte's, but it was in the middle of a hot bite and I didn't notice that water had sprayed onto the lens and dried, from the previous pics in that session. It ruined a great photo in my opinion.
A good tip when taking pics on the boat is to check the lens and carry some good quality lens cleaners. A towel or cloth is not good enough and can damage your lens irrepairably if you don;t whatch what you are doing.
Beach fishing with sand and lenses not mixing is another issue. Here a little blower to blow the sand off is far more adviseable than trying to wipe it off.



Cheers

Andy Mac

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Another Tip - "Multiple images same fish"

Tue, 2008-05-20 18:03

Occaissionally you can snag a great pic by taking multiple pics wit sligtly different angles and by talking to the angler you can get quite subtle changes in their expression. I can't remember what I said to Trevor here but the result was a few very different pics.
 
Interesting thing though is that the one with the serious look made the mag in deference to the others.



Cheers

Andy Mac

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Macro shots

Tue, 2008-05-20 18:31

Russ, with macro shots where you get up close and personal you have to focus on the fish not the angler as it is closest to the lens. This is very difficult if you are using a video camera and taking screen shots for your pics.
Looks to me like when you have captured the image you have skewed the image to make the top image look stretched vertically and the bottom one squashed horizontally.
Smaller fish I either eliminate the angler alltogether or make sure the fish isn't angled like this. A flatter shot does the smaller fish like blackarse and KG's more justice imho.


Cheers

Andy Mac

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Thanks  Andy  with any

Tue, 2008-05-20 18:52

Thanks  Andy  with any hope i will get my camera back this week and will be able to try again using your tips

Might have a play with it on other things first to get it right  would love to be able to show off my fish to family looking like the ones you took *grin*

 

RUSS

 

"A family that fishes together stays together"

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SAFETY first – clear deck

Wed, 2008-05-21 08:18

SAFETY first – clear deck of hooks, knives, gaffs, blood/slime and kill fish (if a keeper).

Check that horizon is level.

Use a polarising filter (rotate it; if you rotate the camera too).

One colour on shirt…a fluoro or bright shirt can highlight the fish more. Pack a clean ‘photo’ shirt for ‘that’ pic.

Wipe blood off the subject – you and fish.

Sunnies off.

Fill the frame.

 

If catch and release, have the camera gear ready and a clean rag handy so the photographer can wipe down hands quickly before handling the camera.  This saves time for the fish out of the water.

As said……Take lots of shots (have an empty memory card if fishing with Ryan). 

Cheers Pete

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Im not a good photographer

Wed, 2008-05-21 12:26

Im not a good photographer but I found you always get a better pic if you keep your horizon level.

A pic with an angled horrizon always looks a little funny.

cheers
Neander

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Some great tips there

Wed, 2008-05-21 12:35

I find that if I see a picture I like the look of, I will borrow (ok steal) that idea. Some of the guys on this site have supplied some fantastic pics, so there are plenty of examples to have a look at.

(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

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Shadows can be your friend

Wed, 2008-05-21 21:00


Here is a pic where the shadow actually made the shot. Even my Pinkies look like Dhuies.Laughing


Cheers

Andy Mac

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Not taking the piss

Wed, 2008-05-21 22:45

The best tip i got from a pro is to push your face a little towards the camera. Not lift or drop, but push. Sounds stupid but makes a huge difference. Why? it gets rid of the double chin. Those with a digital camera try it,it works a treat.

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Chins

Thu, 2008-05-22 07:49

Struth TL with my chins I better get a longer neck and boat LOL

Good tip though! 

Colin

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

 

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Hi Ya, An old giraffe like

Fri, 2008-05-30 21:01


Hi Ya,

An old giraffe like you should be fine mate.

Cheers.




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I have noticed that some

Fri, 2008-05-23 20:25

I have noticed that some people with the best intentions use tissues to clean lens . Many brands of tissue are laced with some form of softing agent so its genital on ones nose ,unfortunately it leaves smears on the lens.

Simple rules to follow

For the ideal fishing picture there are several things to keep in mind. First it is a recording of a catch you are proud of and you may not get a chance to retake the picture. Commit a few extra moments to make it a great fishing picture.

(1)White balance the camera

(2)Take the picture straight away for the color of the fish is at its best when alive.

(3)If there is blood on fish wipe it clean.

(4)Get plenty of light on the subject.

(5)Feature the fish first, then the angler. Hold the fish so your hands and arms don't block the view of the fish. The best fishing photos feature the fish

(6)By adding related items to the picture,it will add interest and perspective to your fishing picture

Refence the fish pictures in the Monthly comp there's been some rippers .

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lol

Fri, 2008-05-23 21:04

lol

Faulkner Family's picture

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under water pics

Thu, 2008-05-29 21:00

any good tips to taking under water pics please

 

iwas looking at a cover for the video camera but they want $800 so i think i will try an underwater camera 

 

RUSS

 

"A family that fishes together stays together"

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RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together

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Pete D and Gully

Thu, 2008-05-29 22:06

They are your underwater guru's.
Hopefully they will post something on the topic. I had a play with a camera up at the Abrolhos underwater. Might have to get myself one too.



Cheers

Andy Mac

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30WLRS

Mon, 2008-09-22 21:43

Hey guys

Looking at buying a 30wLRS but a bit unsure on wat line to put on it braid or mono.Want to use it for BB and trolling .

 Cheers Carlos

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Fishy Photos

Mon, 2011-05-23 16:32

 I have had a bit of fun over the last year getting used to a 7d and this is what I aim for. 

1, Flash- almost always used, most cameras you can turn your flash down a few notches to stop the images blowing out.

2, Get yourself a polarising filter. The colours that they add to your images are amazing.

3, Get the clutter out of the background. NO rods, poles, nets...

4, Make sure that what is in the photo is what people want to see. No one want to see the corner of your esky or the hacked up bloody bait board. 

5, Always have the fishes eye in focus. IT IS A MUST!!!

 

Paul 

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 All great comments, waiting

Fri, 2016-10-28 13:17

 All great comments, waiting for someone to mention how to stablize the boat?

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Tom M

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Patient

Fri, 2016-10-28 13:59

You're a patient man to wait 5 years already, Tom! ha ha. 

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Blast

Fri, 2016-10-28 15:43

Definitely a blast from the past this thread.

Started over 8 years ago. Dont see many of the commenters around anymore