Each edition of the Record Book is exciting for men and women that enjoy hunting whitetails. Reading through the records is enjoyable but looking at the photos of the trophy deer is what makes the Record Book special for hunters. Unfortunately too many lucky big game hunters take horrible photos of their once-in-a-lifetime trophy.
The excitement of finally tagging a trophy big game animal takes longer to wear off than a roll of film will last in the camera. There are seven very simple steps you need to follow while you are still excited that will insure quality photos.
1. TAKE THE PHOTOS OUTDOORS
If the buck was brought home before you found someone with a camera, take the deer outside for the photos. Nothing looks worse than a buck on the garage floor with cans, pails, lawn mowers and tires in the background.
2. TAKE THE DEER OFF THE CAR, OUT OF THE TRUNK OR OUT OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.
Unless you are showing off a deer you hit with your truck do not include a vehicle in the photo.
3. TAKE THE ANIMAL DOWN FROM THE TREE AND REMOVE THE ROPE.
Numerous deer and bear photos a rejected from being used in the record book because the photos show the animal suspended above the ground.
4. SELECT A NEUTRAL BACKGROUND
In the excitement of taking trophy photos no one ever look beyond the animal or hunter. Houses, barns, tractors and powers lines all ruin the quality of the photo. Use an evergreen tree, a screen of brush or hills and woods for the background. Find a color that will highlight the antlers – not hide them. Don’t let them blend into the background.
5. GET CLOSE – NOW GET CLOSER!
All you need in the photo is the animal and the hunter. Make sure the subject fills the frame. Fill the viewfinder with the subject. Most photos used in the record book have at least 50% of the photo cropped off to remove empty background.
6. TURN THE CAMERA SO THE PHOTO IS VERTICAL
The hunter and the trophy will fill the frame and eliminate most of the empty background. It is also the format used for magazine covers and most framed pictures.
7. USE A FLASH IF THE SUN IS GONE
Dramatic results often occur when subjects are highlighted and the background is totally black. All that you see is the desired subject. Be sure to stay far enough away from reflective objects so ghosts don’t start to appear in the background.