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.

Faulkner Family
Great ldea tim
RUSS
"A family that fishes together stays together"
Dreamweaver
Flash!
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
Tim
Fill Flash
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.
** Rockingham Offshore Fishing Club **
hlokk
With the flash, just make
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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Always interested in someone to go fishing with
Dreamweaver
Love These Developing Threads...More
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
Tim
Another
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.
** Rockingham Offshore Fishing Club **
alfred
Not many will agree with me,
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.
1985 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 Johnson 140hp 4stroke
hlokk
I think a few guys here
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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Always interested in someone to go fishing with
Dreamweaver
Agreed Alfred!
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
Colin
till
Good to get a landmark into
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 =)
PilbaraBrad
fill the frame avoid busy
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
Dreamweaver
Good Point Brad...but Till
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
till
So true, but that photo was
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!
Dreamweaver
And Where's Ryan's Tips?
Oh Yes, he was always on the OTHER side of the lens
And RIGHTLY so!
Colin
Andy Mac
One from today
Angles, depth of field and focus on the fish not the angler.
Cheers
sherbert
My big brov
He's not as good looking as me
And iam better at fishing
steve
Born to fish forced to work
luke
lol...you are a funny bugga
lol...you are a funny bugga sherby!!! glad he got onto some fish anyway...
luke
ps, looks like he has beaten your pb!!! we will have to fix that quick smart!!!
fish for fun, the future, and the belly!!!
Andy Mac
One last tip before I go
Try some different angles and get in close!!!! I can't stress that enough.
Cheers
luke
good idea tim... and andy,
good idea tim... and andy, looks like you managed to get tony onto some fish mate...well done
luke
fish for fun, the future, and the belly!!!
Andy Mac
Another issue with boat pics
Cheers
luke
good tip... here is a
good tip...
here is a good one
NO PAVERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL
luke
ps, sorry couldnt resist!!!!
to quote boofhead " is there something im missing because i had too many bourbons" lol...maybe a brain????
Andy Mac
I like it Luke
Yeah not one of my favourite backgrounds but I've been guilty of it myself over the years.
Cheers
Andy Mac
Another Tip - "Multiple images same fish"
Cheers
Faulkner Family
what did we do wrong with this pic
Was trying out your way of taking a pic but the fish looks skinny not a good pic as i had to use the vidio camera . Maybe it is just the size of the fish ?? Any help would be great
RUSS
"A family that fishes together stays together"
Andy Mac
Macro shots
Cheers
Faulkner Family
Thanks Andy with any
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"
Pete D
SAFETY first – clear deck
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
Neander
Im not a good photographer
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
Colin Hay
Some great tips there
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)
Andy Mac
Shadows can be your friend
Here is a pic where the shadow actually made the shot. Even my Pinkies look like Dhuies.
Cheers
Three Lions
Not taking the piss
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.
Dreamweaver
Chins
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)
ody
Hi Ya, An old giraffe like
Hi Ya,
An old giraffe like you should be fine mate.
Cheers.
***** Proud RECFISHWEST member ****
luke
good tip!!! here that all
good tip!!! here that all you oldies... get rid of those chins!!! lol..
luke
geez, for some reason i find that really funny...
fishoutofwater1
I have noticed that some
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 .
luke
lol...genital on ones
lol...genital on ones nose!!!! now thats the funniest thing i have read all night!!! you may want to correct it to gentle ..lol... unless you want appendages hanging of ya nose!!!
lol
luke
ps, good advice though/... but sorry, that was funny as!!!
mako magic
pmsl good pic up luke i
pmsl good pic up luke i didnt notice that but so funny re reading it now
luke
lol..i am still wheezing
lol..i am still wheezing myself!!! sham, as the rest was very good points.. but that just cracked me up!!!!
luke
ps, would look like gonzo!!! might make that fishoutofwaters new nick name!!!
mako magic
bet all that laughing isnt
bet all that laughing isnt good for the finger lol, always funny , it just takes 1 letter wrong to make the most funniest post
luke
makes a massive difference
makes a massive difference in this case!!!! still rolling around wheezing...funny as!!!!!!!!!
luke
ps, yeh, not helping the pain... but worth it!!!
NoWorries
EEWWW
Is that what they use as a softening agent in tissues now ??
___________________________
When's the next NvS Comp !!
luke
bad man!!! now i am laughing
bad man!!! now i am laughing even harder!!! this is without doubt the most classic mis-spell ever!!!
on ya gonzo!!!
luke
ps, here is a copy for when it changes...why should everybody miss this!!!
quote
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.
mako magic
lol was going to say
lol was going to say something but then realised we cant but it add's to your ewww lindsay but a bit more of an elaborate description lol, tissues can be a bad thing lol
luke
i am never using a tissue
i am never using a tissue again!!!
luke
glad we werent talking about
glad we werent talking about palmolive dishwashing detergent
" genital on your hands while you wash dishes!!!"
lol
mako magic
lol
lol
luke
this sint being "sexual" is
this sint being "sexual" is it??? lol..just taking the pi$$ is all if any mods are reading this... and you goto admit.... DAMN FUNNY!!!!!!
luke
mako magic
i give you that one luke,
i give you that one luke, yeah this is funny as, sorry fishoutofwater for taking the piss out of you, but hey ive had a good laugh tonight
luke
its gonzo!!! lol..yeh, same
its gonzo!!! lol..yeh, same fishoutofwater, but hey, you goto admit... FUNNIEST THING I HAVE READ ON HERE FOR AGES!!!!!!
luke
mako magic
very true luke, still cant
very true luke, still cant take the smile off my face from laughing, sorry "GONZO"
luke
(No subject)
mako magic
hahaha poor gonzo
hahaha poor gonzo
Colin Hay
Now I know what you were talking about Luke
Classic.
Reminds of this old sports commentator in Sydney who was complaining on his TV show about a nude beach being set up near his house. This is what he said, "I don't want naked men walking around near my house and shoving there genitals down my throat." He never even realised what he had said.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
luke
now thats
now thats funny!!!!
luke
ps, this is the reason we nee a " bull crap" section, where members only can read!!!
mako magic
very true luke, maybe adam
very true luke, maybe adam and the other mods can arrange that, that way we can keep threads on track too
Tim
Thanks
Thanks for the fun Guys
but can we get this one back on track please.
Not trying to be a party pooper but the off topic posts will outnumber the regular ones in a minute.
luke
maybe we should take a
maybe we should take a picture so its 'photgraphy related" ;)
knothome
i bet it
unfortunately it leaves smears on the lens.
i bet it does
cheers dennis
Andy Mac
20+ posts wow
Cheers
Faulkner Family
under water pics
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"
Andy Mac
Pete D and Gully
Cheers