Live Deer Pictures- When taking pictures of live deer the one thing you will need besides a camera is a lot of patience. Just like hunting, deer never seem to appear where and when you want them to. If you plan to use a digital camera make sure to turn off all sound on the camera. A good zoom lens is also handy when photographing deer. I like to use a tripod and ground blind so that my camera is always in position when the deer appear. Be ready for the unexpected and watch for unusual occurrences. Just like hunting some outdoor photographers will use bait or scent attractants to stop or pose the deer for a photo. Some outdoor photographers will get the deer's attention with a call or grunt sound so that the deer is looking right at the photographer for the image, the down side to this with deer is you often only get one picture.
Trophy Deer and Hunter Shots- Getting a great picture of that trophy buck with the proud hunter is a big responsibility and often a once in a life time opportunity so the pressure is really on. Try to take as many different pictures as possible in different positions and from different angles. The more photos you take the more likely you are that at least one will be a great shot. Here is a few basic tips for shooting trophy deer pictures:
1. Lighting. If you can see well enough to easily read a book you won't need a flash so turn it off. Flash can create glare as well as red eye so always try and use natural light when available. Flash cameras also tend to make skin and fur look pale and unnatural. If you can try and position the picture so the natural light is in the face of the hunter when taking pictures. Try to avoid shooting photos with the hunter positioned between you and the sun.
2. Be aware of the background. Make sure that a tree is not growing out of the hunters head or that there are moving vehicles in the photo. By taking a few steps left or right of where the hunter and deer are positioned you can change the background a great deal.
3. Aiming Your Camera. When you shoot the photo aim the camera at the center of the scene not necessarily the hunters face. You need to frame the deer and hunter in the picture. Shots from above the hunter will often make the deer and hunter seem thinner shots from straight on and below the hunter give a wider appearance to the deer and hunter. Try not to place your subject dead center in the image. if the subject is slightly off center. This will make for a more interesting picture.
4. Clean it up. When taking pictures of deer that are dead clean up the deer. Try and hide the tongue as well as excessive blood etc. When a taxidermist mounts a deer you don't see all that. Why would you want it in a trophy deer picture. Pose the deer so it looks as natural as possible.