BEHAVIOUR , BEHAVIOUR , BEHAVIOUR
Strive for action to capture the perfect shot . A buck working a rub , scrape line , or in hot pursuit of a doe works better than an animal just standing there . A mother sharing a tender moment with offspring or reaching high up to feed on an apple or acorn is action that tells a story . It pulls you into the picture .
Experiment with horizontal , vertical , and wide angle shots . The latter provide an environmental feel to an image , showcasing both the surroundings and your subject .
I ’ m as guilty as the next photographer for taking too many close-ups . But putting on a shorter lens or moving way back has advantages and the result is worth it .
GEAR
Most of today ’ s DSLR cameras will do the whitetail job . If you get more involved , the upgrade game can begin .
For starters , a lens with a reach of 300mm should be in your kit . This medium telephoto is enough to capture distant deer as well as those close by .
I currently shoot with 70-200mm and 150- 500mm lenses . These cover all of the bases nicely . Once you see what your lenses can or can ’ t do , then take the next step if you ’ re inclined , and your budget allows it .
A sturdy tripod is a must-have . Sharpness and overall image quality will increase significantly if the camera is rock-steady . They ’ re a burden to carry , but hand-held shooting just doesn ’ t cut it , especially on low-light days .
Although not a hunter , I spend more time in the woods with deer than most folk I know . You can learn a lot about this fascinating animal by simply paying attention to what it does . If you ’ re a hunter , this knowledge can only make you a better one . “ Shoot ” a whitetail this way this season . It ’ s sure to reap rewards .
Justin Hoffman sells photographic and canvas prints in a variety of sizes . To see his work , or to contact him , check out : www . JustinHoffmanOutdoors . zenfolio . com
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