photos with my catch?

[old buzzer]

Yesterday I caught a nice 11lb pike in perfect condition, I took a photo of the fish but as I was fishing alone I have no record of me with the fish. By the way 11lb is my biggest pike to date so a snap would have been nice. I saw Mick Brown taking photos using a air release but my camera doesn't have that facility. What's the answer, get a new camera, fish with a mate, or is there another option?

[Newt]

Your camera options depend on exactly model what you have.

[dutch1862]

Your camera options depend on exactly model what you have.

 

 

A tip that I remember from years ao is to determine an area around your peg that you'll use to take a picture and then before you've caught anything you can to take test pictures to make sure you know where to position your camera. You can use a bankstick to mark out the top of the picture or the highest point in the picture (your head).

 

I'd have thought that most digital cameras come with a timer. You can get cheap (small) tripods from Tescos that should screw into the base of most cameras. This should allow you to either position the camera on top of your seat or just to angle it upwards in the right way. But then it all depends on your timer option, as you'll need enough time to get ready, but not so much as the fish are drowning while you're waiting for the click!

[old buzzer]

I have a Nikon coolpix 2000 digital camera which does have a timer, I take that camera because it's fairly old and I wouldn't risk taking an expensive model to the bankside in case I dropped it or got it covered in muck. I could use the timer option but as Dutch says, it needs to be done quickly as keeping the fish out of the water too long is not to be recommended. So I guess the answer has to be forward planning, getting the camera set up before I even start fishing, on a tripod or bankstick, lined up on a target ready to go. I wonder how many times I will go through the process and then have a blank? Still it will be worth it if I get the picture, I would hate to miss out if and when I get my first 20!

[Neil G]

Always wondered how people take decent pics when out on their own, problem when your roving around on rivers is it would be a real fuss setting all the gear up at every swim you fish.

 

Was out today on my own and caught quite a fat pike of around 10lb, layed the fish on soft, wet grass next to the rod for scale and took a pic that way, okay not the best but still better than no pic at all!

[wayne baker]

In this modern day i think most people use digitals now and most models have a shutter delay timer functions etc.

I fish mainly on my own and its a god send. Saves all that mucking about setting up the shot like the old days. If you r camara has a thread attachment you can buy bankstick adaptors. Or just sit it on your rucksack or box ready incase you need to use it. My canon has a multi shot function so i can just rip a load of shots of at one time. Then you can edit them when you get home, You always have a chance that way of getting some gooduns, And just delete the rest. If your useing 35mm i think you can get some camaras still with a little remote control. Their ok but it means holding them with the fish and activating them at the same time.

[MrWiggly]

Most, but not all, small digital cameras have a delay funtion of up to 10 seconds. Enough time for you to get yourself and fish into position. It is worthwhile to get a pocket digi with these features that you can shove in your tackle box or seat.

 

The best options have already been suggested. A bank stick adaptor can be easily found to screw your camera onto, and the pre-focus and setup routine is always a good idea.

 

Always shoot with the light (sun) coming at you from behind the camera so you are well lit, and watch out for trees etc growing out of your head ! Take a test shot of the site before lining yourself up with your prize.

 

I'm sure I don't need to mention that you do not take pictures of fish in the "stood up" position. Always crouch as low as possible for your fish shot, holding the fish firmly. That way if the fish does manage to wriggle out of your hands it has only a few inches to drop, and not several feet ! Return your fish to the water as soon as possible.

Edited November 22, 2008 by MrWiggly

[lutra]

The only pic's Ive got of myself holding my catch are from when Ive been fishing with someone. The rest of the time if i want a pic i just take it on the unhooking mat or in the net on some soft grass. Most of the time i land, unhook, sometimes photo, occasionally weigh then return a fish in very little time and without hardly touching the fish with my hands. All that trying to photo myself holding a fish just seems to much like hard work and not very fish friendly to me, but each their own i suppose.

[lyn]

I have a Gardner Tackle adaptor, as long as you have a tripod socket it will fit, you can look here www.yateleyangling.co.uk under photography, accessories, to see what we are on about. To line it up it is easier to put 2 sticks/bank sticks either side so that you know you are in focus if you are between them. I know this goes without saying but leave the fish in water while you are setting this up.

 

I always take mine in the net but it never looks as good as holding them.

 

Well done on the catch

 

lyn

[Steve Burke]

One option is to use an air release. For a review of a model that'll fit most modern cameras, even those without a threaded shutter button, see my review at http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/Tackle-And-Bai...ews/kaiser.html

 

Since I wrote this many of the Canon Powershot range of compact cameras now not only have a revolving screen, but also a custom self-timer. I've therefore given my air release away.

 

With the revolving screen it's very easy to see if you're lined up in the picture so there's no need to fiddle around with banksticks. At night just use a head torch so you can see yourself on the screen - it won't spoil the exposure. A revolving screen is the one feature on a fishing camera I'd never be without. It's so useful in many other situations too like candid shots, close ups, and over the heads of people in front.

 

With the custom self-timer you can set the delay from 2 up to 30 seconds. Moreover you can take up to 10 shots without returning to the camera.

 

Canon have just announced a new Powershot, the SX1 IS that takes HD (high definition) movies. From these you can get 2 megapixel stills, so fine for prints up to 6x4ins without cropping at the very least. In practice you'll be able to enlarge still further. I also like the idea of HD movies for wildlife shots and to capture fast-moving subjects - like my 22 month old grandaughter! I was saving up to buy a digital SLR for these sorts of pics and keep my Canon S5IS compact for just fishing and movies (SLRs don't take the latter). Assuming the reviews are good the plan now is to sell the S5IS and replace it with the new SX1 IS that'll do everything.

 

The Gardner bankstick adaptor that Lyn mentioned works very well, although on windy days a bankstick can vibrate a bit. However this should be no problem in good light when you can use a fast shutter speed, or at any time if your camera has a feature called image stabilisation. A de-luxe version of the banstick adaptor is made by Gold Label Tackle that has an adustable head to change the camera angle. Go to http://www.specialist-tackle.co.uk/shop.ph...amp;subcatid=15

 

Finally, one tip on trophy shots. Get really close and fill the frame!

Edited November 23, 2008 by Steve Burke