Realtree.com

Advanced Outdoor Photography

By Steve Hickoff

BEHIND THE LENS

As p.r. coordinator and photographer for Realtree, John Hafner, 28, has much to share with Realtree.com readers in their efforts to take better images in the field. Here's what he had to say when I caught up with him recently:

Steve Hickoff: What common mistakes does the average sportsman/photographer make?

John Hafner: First, not paying attention to light. You really can't hunt and shoot good pictures at the same time. You need the best light for both. Dawn and dusk are the best times for both activities. Say you tag a deer in the bright light of midday - with a little common sense, you can shoot a better picture, even if the light isn't right. Drag the deer over into even shade to let trees diffuse the sun. It's not that hard. Adrenaline gets in the way, but relax and focus - as you do before the gun shot. You can photograph during the day with high, thin clouds to diffuse harsh light, but ideally you want the sweet light found early and late in the day. As with hunting, take in your surroundings. Pay attention to the angle of the sun.

PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL

SH: Anything else?

JH: Photographers should always pay attention to the foreground and background. Look for stumps, branches, etc. that might be in the way. Sometimes the photographer's foot or thumb can ruin an otherwise good photo.

One solution is to change the angle of your shot - get above the subject; get below the subject. You'll eliminate distracting elements by doing this. After this, focus your shot on the hunter, not what's around him - unless you want the landscape in there, too. Note any distractions that might prevent you from taking a good photo, say a tree limb poking out the hunter's head, or something like that.

USING INSTINCTS

SH: What's the number one rule in outdoor photojournalism?

JH: That's easy: fill the frame, and always think about composition. With enough practice, you'll train your eye, and it'll be automatic, instinctive. And whatever you do, don't always put your subject right smack in the middle of the photo. Experiment. Put your subject right or left of center. This usually makes your photo much more interesting. It conveys action, motion and drama.

NOT JUST GRIP-AND-GRINS

SH: What's your take on the standard "hero," or "grip-and-grin" hunting or fishing photo?

JH: There's definitely a place for it, but that kind of photo gets old. It's great for your mantle or scrapbook, but that's about it. But it's what most people are familiar with. I prefer to photograph behind-the-scenes, journalistic photos, like shots of hunters in camp and in the field. Try to tell a story with your camera. Photograph the trip to camp. The poker game. Your son or daughter dragging his or her deer. Your hunting buddies sitting around the dinner table planning the next day's hunt. Also, I suggest buying a light, inexpensive tripod for shooting photos of yourself and your trophies (deer, turkey, etc.) with a self-timer.

KNOW YOUR CAMERA

SH: What steps can a modern sportsman take to improve his or her pictures?

JH: Go digital. The digital learning curve has definitely shrunk. You can "quality check" in the field, get the photos you want then and there, and leave the woods knowing you got what you wanted. Your photos will improve with every shoot. I can't tell you how reassuring it is to leave a Realtree photo shoot knowing without a doubt that I got the images I came for. Thanks to digital, I have that confidence. I shot film in graduate school, and I'd always get stressed out until I got my film back from the lab and I could see how my images turned out. With digital, you also save money in film and processing, so you can blaze away and not worry about added expense.

However - and I can't stress this enough - as great and convenient as digital is, you still need to know why your photos are good or bad - the same photographic rules apply for digital cameras. You still need to read the light, pay attention to your foreground and background, watch for distracting shadows, check your shutter speed and aperture and do all the other things that must come together to produce good images. A digital camera is still a light-tight box, just like a film camera, and it requires the same attention to detail.

PHOTO LIBRARY

SH: Should a reader of this space make the switch to digital cameras now or later?

JH: Switch now, I'd say, the time is right. Prices have come down. Technology is there for users of all skill levels. You can order photo albums online, and make prints. There are several types of entry-level software programs for editing and filing your photos. You can easily make basic adjustments, like color enhancement, contrast and saturation. Fact is, digital has changed Realtree's work file - we have not shot slide or print film in almost two years.

FACING CHALLENGES

SH: What challenges can readers expect in transitioning from old-school equipment to modern digital cameras?

JH: The cameras and technology change constantly, so once you make the switch, it's important to stay tuned in to new developments. It's frustrating when your new camera is replaced by a newer, lighter, faster, better camera a month after you buy it. But that's the nature of modern technology, and as long as you're comfortable with your camera and you're happy with the photos you're making, that's really all that matters.

All major manufacturers are producing low cost/high quality point-and-shoot digital cameras. We've equipped all of our Realtree videographers with easy-to-use 4-megapixel digital cameras. I've been shooting a 6.3. High-end, point-and-shoot cameras are great for the general photographer. In both cases, amateur or pro, the photographer should focus on making memories. Explore other shots. Try to shoot more storytelling images. Get good photo management software, and learn how to use it. Know your camera well enough that you don't have to fumble with the controls while you're trying to shoot. There's probably no easier way to miss a photo than to not know your camera's controls.

Also, with digital, your files will grow quickly, making file management a priority. You need to manage your photos if you're going to find, print and share them with family and friends. Buy the best gear you can afford, and learn it inside and out.

TAKE THESE TO THE BANK

More Hafner Tips Toward Photographic Success

* Don't trust your hard drive. It will crash. Back up your photos on DVD/CD/external hard drive. Be a pessimist, and don't expect your computer to be a foolproof vault that will safely house all of your precious images.

* Pay attention to the sun. Shoot with it over your shoulder, falling onto your subject.

* At times, get your subject off-center, or have the subject walk into the frame. Experiment.

* If you're going to pose something outdoors, make it believable. Little details can make or break you.

* Take your camera off automatic mode. Learn to adjust settings. Control depth of field, play with shutter speed, etc.

* Use your fill-in flash to eliminate shadows. This is huge at midday with harsh shadows.

Editor's note: Steve Hickoff writes on the outdoors for Realtree.com and many other sporting publications. Contact him at hickoff@comcast.net.

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