My article from The News Journal on October 6, 2011.
We hunters can hang in the woods until silhouettes of trees morph into ghostly shadows created by winter moonlight.
We can wait until a blinding snow squall’s final flake falls so we can catch the last flock of Canadas as they pitch into our decoys.
And we can walk another mile of tangled hedgerows looking for a final covey flush.
But as much as we try, we still cannot make our hunts last forever.
We say that the memories of our hunts allow us to relive them, but years of memories stored in imprecise and uncataloged filing systems tend to run together and lose detail. Rather than relying on our aging minds to recollect details of past hunts, we should take advantage of modern technology and photograph our trips afield.
Most mobile phones now include digital cameras, so there really is little excuse to not have some rudimentary photographic record of our hunts. Hunting photography, however, should not be limited to bland, lifeless photos taken through mediocre cell phone cameras. Instead, packing a quality camera along with our hunting gear can lead to quality photos that serve as keepsakes
Kevin Fleming, a Delaware native and wildlife photography expert, spent 10 years as a National Geographic photographer and has authored 19 books that feature his photos, including “Wild Delmarva” and “Wild Delaware.” Fleming, who describes himself as a hunter who pursues game with a camera rather than a gun or bow, encourages the use of quality cameras and optics in the field.
“A run-of-the-mill camera will typically produce run-of-the-mill photographs,” Fleming said.
Nevertheless, he offers advice to hunters looking to photograph their hunts using amateur equipment, including basic point-and-shoot cameras.
According to Fleming, it is important to consider light conditions and subject distance when capturing compelling wildlife images.
“I photograph almost exclusively at sunrise and sunset, when the light is the best,” Fleming said. “Even on cold winter days the light is usually warm at sunrise and sunset.”
He also recommends using nothing less than a 200mm lens for photographing animals in the wild, since a powerful lens enables photographers to capture greater detail of distant objects.
Rather than strictly capturing hackneyed photos of harvested game (such as photos of deer lying in pickup truck beds), Fleming recommends telling hunting stories through a variety of shots.
“Try shooting landscapes, scenics and environmental pictures,” he said. “Also remember that a detail may be more interesting than a pile of game.”
Capture specific characteristics of animals, such as antlers or feathers, rather than entire bodies.
Above all else, remember that hunts — as well as great photos — are not defined by successful harvests alone.
Don’t keep cameras cased until animals are taken. Photo opportunities exist throughout the hunt, and fine stories can be told through photos of the people, places, things and actions associated with hunts.
To show the personal aspects of a hunt, photograph guns, ammunition, hunting partners, hunting dogs and vehicles.
To show the natural aspects of a hunt, photograph live animals, trees, flowers, terrain and skies. Use varying focal points, angles and camera settings, and don’t be afraid to experiment.