Reinventing the typical trophy photo

[franzfmdavis]

I am just as apt to take the typical trophy photo as anyone, and have done so each time.

However, when looking at trophy photos, I find that I more quickly scroll past typical photos and linger longer when they are an odd or irregular picture.

I imagine the repetitive composition of the typical trophy photo has become a bit ordinary to my eyes, even though the subject matter is truly extraordinary.

I tried to do something different as an experiment this last hunt, but don't think my ideas were great (and the PH didn't like them better either):

1. Typical composition:

2. A little bit different (closer to the head; whole animal is not shown):

3. Something I don't see as frequently (perspective on a level plane; facing the animal; reverent hand on animal):

I do notice that vintage safari photos are much more interesting to me in composition and variety. For example, people are standing, people are sitting on animals, people are looking off into the distance, there are big groups around the animal, etc.

I know many of you have done unique trophy photos too, as I can think of several examples that come to mind.

There is no formal question here, just an observation, but, I would appreciate if anyone has non-standard composition trophy pictures they would like to share here to help give me ideas.

It would be great to have some different composition ideas in mind before my next hunt.

Thanks Ya’ll!

 

[Tom Leoni]

Wow... what a fantastic topic for a thread (BTW, kudos on the rifle and even the Trader Keith sling with the appropriate knot).

I too find the classic trophy pose a bit cliche'. Actually, a lot cliche'. I love pictures in which you see the relationship between the hunter and the animal, like your second and especially your third picture. The hand on the animal speaks of respect and even gratitude--the gratitude of man-predator to the animal who gave its life.

Thank you for starting this thread. I am curious to see what others think.

 

[Cucuy]

I really like #3. I never was a fan of making the animal look bigger by sitting behind it.

 

[chuckwellington]

This is actually my favorite picture of my buff. It’s a candid my brother took. I don’t know, it just speaks to me. The size comparison and the brush in the background kind of put the whole hunt into perspective.

 

[RLL]

Man, I agree with this. I don’t think it has to be well curated. Just do you and snap away…

 

[375Fox]

1,2, and 3 all seem like standard trophy photos to me. I usually do whatever standard photos my PH suggests, but for myself I want some photos holding the horns or head of the animal so the size cannot be misrepresented. I also have a personal rule I have to have a hand on the animal or within reach. I really hate the photos that try to exaggerate the size by sitting too far back. I also always like taking several photos with the animal as it fell before it’s moved or any brush gets cut.

 

[Rare Breed]

For me I want the animal to be dominant with me in the background to celebrate the animal more but yes me in the picture but more in the background like the attached

 

[Fordy]

Gday
Interesting thread & we talked on this recently & one that all are great photos & overall no one ever takes enough

The best ones I like personally are the ones that are as natural as possible & the person/s basically not knowing the picture/s being taken

This one is one of my favourite of all time pics & so glad I didn’t have a nap & took this

That’s my trophy of a lifetime to get my mate & his buff in a moment captured in time for all who were there to relive that day knowing what went into that day & the lead upto it

Cheers

 

[BryceM]

 

[Wiley64]

The older I get the more I feel like a loser when I’m going way out of my way to curate the perfect picture. Over the past few years I’ve gone to more of a truck bed skinning pole kindof picture guy and I love it

 

[Sideshow]

Good thread. I always find it hard to smile in trophy pics. It’s like question in my head of why should I be happy that I’ve just taken this animals life…..then you have a great stalk or hunt and I can’t keep the grin off my mug. I’d not sit on an animal though, for me that very disrespectful.
Group pics are nice. You can have them reworked later on. These phones today can take some amazing photos.
Just remember at the time take plenty you won’t get another chance once it’s gone.

 

[Scandalous Bob]

We always try to take plenty of the more "traditional" trophy photos, but it's often photos like this one - more candid & less scripted - that end up being my favorites.

 

[mark-hunter]

Last time I went with retro type of photo. Scenography: Hemingway shirt, safari chairs, classic rifles and two buffalo sculls.

Please note, the golden ratio or golden cut photo composition. Horizon and blue sky takes two thirds in the back grounds.

The composition cut (golden ratio) is on the approximate two thirds of the scenery. This is basics of modern design, which you can find on most of professionally made calling cards, PPT presentations, etc.

It can be horizontal, or vertical, or diagonal.
Playing with background: if two thirds are blue sky, it creates expectation and positive perception.
Close the sky to one third and plain wide horizon to take two thirds , in same ratio, it creates more serious, or pessimistic perception or expectation. (for example, "a storm is coming", few clouds would be welcome for such photo)

Once I made such photo, I framed it in large frame, and hanged it on the trophy wall.

Golden ratio - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[franzfmdavis]

Good thread. I always find it hard to smile in trophy pics. It’s like question in my head of why should I be happy that I’ve just taken this animals life…..then you have a great stalk or hunt and I can’t keep the grin off my mug. I’d not sit on an animal though, for me that very disrespectful.
Group pics are nice. You can have them reworked later on. These phones today can take some amazing photos.
Just remember at the time take plenty you won’t get another chance once it’s gone.

I remember thinking that exact same thing about smiling over an animal that has just been sacrificed. However, when the moment came, I was just so happy and relieved after a long chase that it was my genuine natural reaction even though I wish I could have been more solemn.

 

[franzfmdavis]

Last time I went with retro type of photo. Scenography: Hemingway shirt, safari chairs, classic rifles and two buffalo sculls.

Please note, the golden ratio or golden cut photo composition. Horizon and blue sky takes two thirds in the back grounds.

The composition cut (golden ratio) is on the approximate two thirds of the scenery. This is basics of modern design, which you can find on most of professionally made calling cards, PPT presentations, etc.

It can be horizontal, or vertical, or diagonal.
Playing with background: if two thirds are blue sky, it creates expectation and positive perception.
Close the sky to one third and plain wide horizon to take two thirds , in same ratio, it creates more serious, or pessimistic perception or expectation. (for example, "a storm is coming", few clouds would be welcome for such photo)

Once I made such photo, I framed it in large frame, and hanged it on the trophy wall.

Golden ratio - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

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View attachment 686567

That is fantastic! I appreciate the composition breakdown as well.

 

[franzfmdavis]

We always try to take plenty of the more "traditional" trophy photos, but it's often photos like this one - more candid & less scripted - that end up being my favorites.

View attachment 686561

Beautiful! Without understanding the actual mechanics, it seems to me that it is easier for a person looking at a picture to put themselves into the picture when the subject is not looking directly into the camera. For example, with your picture, I can more easily imagine myself sitting next to the animal, examining it. Or, when I’ve seen pictures of people from behind, I can easily picture myself standing at the same spot looking out.

 

[mark-hunter]

I remember thinking that exact same thing about smiling over an animal that has just been sacrificed. However, when the moment came, I was just so happy and relieved after a long chase that it was my genuine natural reaction even though I wish I could have been more solemn.

When we shot our buffalos, both my friend and me, after two years of planning and preparation, and intensive hunt, with drop of adrenaline moments after we both cried.
It depends, how much a person invests him self into the hunt.

 

[R eight]

It’s hard to get something different.

 

[franzfmdavis]

It’s hard to get something different.

Wow! That one pictures tells the story of your hunt.

 

[franzfmdavis]

For me I want the animal to be dominant with me in the background to celebrate the animal more but yes me in the picture but more in the background like the attached

That is a great idea! To have painting made of the greatest trophies! Beautiful!