• First, look where the sun is, you or the birds should be somewhat facing the sun (i.e. sun behind the camera)
• Get close enough for enough detail to make things interesting (often I put the camera too far back).
• Look at the background... I try to look for an interesting background, and get any unwanted trash, or obscuring branches or grass out of the way
• .I try to get in the picture myself, or take a picture that holds some interest outside of just a dead bird.
• I try to take a picture that will capture a particular memory.
• Make sure that the shadow from the camera or tripod is not in the picture (I have done this all too often). If taking a picture of someone else, make sure your shadow is not in the picture.
• Make sure your gun is and appears to be pointed in a safe direction.
I use a small portable tripod with either Velcro or bendable wires that can sit on something flat, or be tied to a tree or limb... I try to get the horizon as even as possible, but Photo Shop can help here when that is not possible, or when I goof.
Here are some pictures that I took. All of the pictures of myself were taken with a point and shoot on a timer... The pictures I am not in, I shot myself with a point and shoot. Not the best in the world, but I enjoy having them around for the particular memories they provide. Some are not so good, and some are not so bad...
Not the best picture in the world, but I while running up to this bird (that took a looong time to call in, and came from a looong ways off), I dropped my call on the bird, getting it bloody... I will remember the bird and the situation because of that bloody call in the picture. I should have taken more time to pose the bird in a more atheistically pleasing manner and turned the bird on the side without the matted down bloody feathers:
This picture was taken at noon (about the worst light you can have). I showed off the color of the feathers by laying the bird on a rock to catch the sun light. Not a bad picture under the circumstances, but it looks like the gun is pointed at me (although it is not)... An oversight which greatly decreases the quality of the shot.
Afternoon sun here, and I actually like this shot. I put the camera closer to the birds for a different perspective... Posed the birds on or near my hunting vest, and put a duck call in the picture for good measure... I put the dogs in front of me which puts the emphasis on the far more interesting dogs. I actually had a crappy day duck hunting, and surprisingly ended up with a limit of pheasant after... This picture will not win any awards, but I find it pleasing...
Children can add value to a picture as well... This was an afternoon dove hunt with my daughter (I checked and double-checked to make sure the gun was unloaded)... Cute picture that captures that moment.
This shot was at about 10:30 am... Not terrible lighting, but not the best... I should have taken the time to clear out the grass sticking up right in front of the bird... I remember looking for a spot that had both the yellow and purple flowers... Captured some of the colors of the bird, but I feel I could have done better. The picture did a poor job showing off the beard...
