Every fishing and paddling trip is an opportunity to capture your water adventures in photos (and video). The memories you make fishing and paddling are yours for a lifetime. So, to make sure you keep them, take a moment here and there to document them.
Use Your Cell Phone Camera
Your cell phone is the perfect camera because you probably will have it when the perfect photo moment strikes. What’s more, those little cameras take great pictures.
Capture the Scenery
The landscapes and the places you will go are amazing and often breathtaking. And, don’t forget to add people to capture your water adventures in photos. Use the amazing scenery as the backdrop for your friends and family shots.
- Keep your subject close means you’ll be able to see them and still get a broad view of the landscape/scenery.
- Have your subject step away from the scenic feature. For example, move a few feet from the rock with the cool striations so you can see more of them.
- If you have time, try a variety of angles to capture your subject and background.
The opportunities for breathtaking scenery in Pennsylvania are endless. Find great spots across the state in our regions like Southcentral Pennsylvania or Northcentral Pennsylvania.
Snap the fun
Don’t skimp on the cheesy shots. You will linger over the laughs and have a few more as you look back at those photos.
- Have your camera ready to catch the moments.
- When the laughs start or the unexpected strikes, take a burst of photos. It’s often the photo after the photo that is the best..
- Hit record and ask people to tell you about their adventure or misadventure. Capture the sound of the hilarious moment or what is memorable. These micro-documentaries help mark the details and emotion of the memory.
Pay Attention to Light and Framing
Pay attention to the light. Fortunately, outside activities benefit from natural light and you can use it for great photography. Use the sun as your spotlight and for dramatic effect. Plus, framing the subject well will help and interesting framing can create interesting photos.
- In bright sun, shoot your photos with the sun directed toward your subject. So that means, try to keep the light pointing in the direction of the photo subject with the sun at your back.
- When the sun is not bright, but clouds are bright white, try to avoid scenes with too much sky. Shoot slightly down, if possible. The bright cloud contrast will make your subject appear darker.
- If early or late day shadows are a problem, you can use them to create depth and drama. Or, get your subject in the shade with something behind them to block the bright sun in the background.
- As far as framing, the “rule of thirds” will take you far, but feel free to get creative and take the shot that pleases you. If you aren’t familiar, check out tutorials on how to compose using the rule of thirds.
Enjoy the Adventure
Don’t forget to put the camera down at times and just ENJOY. Relish in the fish you are reeling in or take in the smiles of your paddling partners. The joy of the trip will snap the memories in your brain forever.
