A Tip for Sunny Day Fish Pictures

[JustinHoffman]

Hello All,

Thought I'd demonstrate through the use of two photos how important a Polarizing Lense is for your camera, especially when taking photos during very sunny periods, and particularly at high noon. Much the same way the polarizing lense in your fishing glasses takes away the glare, brightens colours and makes the blues and greens more vivid, the same holds true for the camera variety.
For those that shoot in 35mm SLR or Digital SLR, it's a $50 or $60 investment that can improve the quality of your photos immensely.

Here is a photo I took without the polarizing lense. Yes, the shot might look silly, but I was setting the zoom on the camera (and checking it on review) before I pulled the fish out of the livewell for a snapshot.



And here is the same shot with the polarizing lense added. Quite the difference, isn't it?? Using a fill flash is also recommended as it brightens the shadows up considerably, giving it that 'umph' that you desire..



Good Fishing,
Justin

[M.T. Livewell]

Great tip Justin.

Now, for giggles, what do those of us with a canon A75 do?

M.T. Livewell

[jig head]

Good Tip Justin !

[RJ]

Great Stuff Justin.....I'm sure it could help a few in the Angling Idol contest!

My weakness is the dreaded shadowed photos....my camerman Gordo snapped this one last fall....wish it was a better pic for sure....




Some days it seems no matter what ya do there is always a shadow....


RJ

[wolfe]

Even if you have to move around a bit in the boat, always try to get the sun behind the photographer, rather than the subject. As in your muskie pic there, RJ -- a classic "backlit" shot. (Still a nice fish!)

Good tips, Justin. Thx.

W.

[GreenBastard]

little added info about the polarizer filters on camera, if your camera uses autofocus the regular polarizer lense may actually confuse the camera. there is a circular polarizer you can buy and will not affect the focus this way... Read that out of my sony manual

P.s. circular polarizers are not as effective as standard polarizers

[Big EZ]

If you are backlit, use a flash if you have it. Actually, for most fishing photos a flash will improve the photo. Notice on Justin's 2nd photo, how the fish have that nice shine and highlights -- I'm guessing it's from a flash (or the inside of his boat is white enough to act as a reflector).

Another tip is to check that your horizon is level in the shot. Check out the two angling idol pics that were just posted. One has a perfectly level horizon, the other is very close. It makes a difference. Oh, that and they both used a fill flash

-BEZ

[Gravelguy4]

Hey Justin,
Those pics are just like on the make over shows.
The before pic you're all sad and tired looking...
Pop two smallies in your hands and your face is refreshed and smiling away. Just proves how a day fishing can reverse the effects of aging.

Great tip

Keith