Mathews Inc.
How to take incredible turkey photos
Turkey
Contributors to this thread:
trkyslr 13-May-18
Glunt@work 13-May-18
Nick Muche 13-May-18
trkyslr 13-May-18
jims 13-May-18
Ziek 13-May-18
CCRider 13-May-18
joehunter8301 13-May-18
joehunter8301 13-May-18
joehunter8301 13-May-18
joehunter8301 13-May-18
trkyslr 13-May-18
jims 13-May-18
joehunter8301 13-May-18
Charlie Rehor 13-May-18
cnelk 13-May-18
trkyslr 13-May-18
tobywon 13-May-18
bud 13-May-18
trail hound 13-May-18
t-roy 13-May-18
trkyslr 14-May-18
Mad Trapper 14-May-18
Fuzzy 14-May-18
DEC 14-May-18
Z Barebow 14-May-18
Hunt98 14-May-18
Rut Nut 14-May-18
Dikndirt 14-May-18
Hawkeye 14-May-18
smarba 14-May-18
DEC 14-May-18
ROUGHCOUNTRY 14-May-18
Rut Nut 14-May-18
Southern draw 14-May-18
Rut Nut 14-May-18
EmbryOklahoma 14-May-18
joehunter8301 14-May-18
joehunter8301 14-May-18
joehunter8301 14-May-18
joehunter8301 14-May-18
Southern draw 14-May-18
Hawkeye 14-May-18
tobywon 14-May-18
stick n string 14-May-18
Brotsky 14-May-18
No Mercy 14-May-18
trkyslr 14-May-18
Ward's Outfitters 14-May-18
Ward's Outfitters 14-May-18
trkyslr 14-May-18
trkyslr 14-May-18
longbeard 14-May-18
Ward's Outfitters 14-May-18
trkyslr 14-May-18
trkyslr 14-May-18
PAstringking 15-May-18
PAstringking 15-May-18
trkyslr 15-May-18
tobywon 15-May-18
Kodiak 15-May-18
tobywon 15-May-18
Charlie Rehor 15-May-18
wilbur 15-May-18
wilbur 15-May-18
EmbryOklahoma 15-May-18
cnelk 15-May-18
joehunter8301 15-May-18
scentman 15-May-18
stick n string 15-May-18
Errorhead 15-May-18
tobywon 15-May-18
Hawkeye 15-May-18
Kodiak 15-May-18
stick n string 15-May-18
Rut Nut 15-May-18
EmbryOklahoma 16-May-18
stick n string 16-May-18
Rut Nut 16-May-18
Rut Nut 16-May-18
BOHNTR 16-May-18
Bake 16-May-18
joehunter8301 16-May-18
BOHNTR 16-May-18
TD 16-May-18
smarba 16-May-18
Rut Nut 16-May-18
Rut Nut 16-May-18
Ziek 16-May-18
Rut Nut 16-May-18
Ridge Wraith 16-May-18
trkyslr 16-May-18
Ward's Outfitters 17-May-18
Ward's Outfitters 17-May-18
Yodameister 18-May-18
trkyslr 18-May-18
Rut Nut 18-May-18
jims 18-May-18
stick n string 18-May-18
BO-N-ARO 22-May-18
stick n string 22-May-18
Rut Nut 22-May-18
mnbwhtr 23-May-18
Kick'em up 23-May-18
Wapiti Chaser 23-May-18
Mark Watkins 24-May-18
lewis 24-May-18
Hammer 24-May-18
Stressless 25-May-18
Bowfinatic 10-Jul-18
Bou'bound 26-Apr-23
JohnMC 26-Apr-23
Buckdeer 26-Apr-23
4nolz@work 26-Apr-23
PA Bones 26-Apr-23
thedude 26-Apr-23
sheds 26-Apr-23
nijimasu 06-Aug-23
TonyBear 06-Aug-23
Paul@thefort 06-Aug-23
Paul@thefort 06-Aug-23
nijimasu 06-Aug-23
Bou'bound 23-Mar-24
t-roy 23-Mar-24
Pat Lefemine 23-Mar-24
Pat Lefemine 23-Mar-24
t-roy 23-Mar-24
Lewis 26-Mar-24
Brotsky 26-Mar-24
Helgermite 29-Mar-24
Whocares 29-Mar-24
From: trkyslr
13-May-18
Good info that can be used by beginners or someone who wants to make their turkey pics better. You can also do all that bird positioning (body, wings, etc.) stuff without the firewood with the hunter utilizing his position and his feet. I don’t have firewood at a lot of the spots I hunt as I’m a good way out in the back 40 ;-) Also re the flash that depends on the natural lighting as sometimes it can ruin the picture lighting and kill the awesome colors of the feathers iridescence and darken the background/scenery. But overall I agree there’s a lot of turkey pics that can be made better and this is some good starter steps. Good info Pat!

From: Glunt@work
13-May-18

Glunt@work's embedded Photo
Glunt@work's embedded Photo
Nice! I pin the wings out to the ground with two little aluminum tent stakes and then hold up the rear and spread the fan with one hand. Stakes are handy for helping hold the blind down in a moderate wind as well.

From: Nick Muche
13-May-18
We all strive to take great photos with our thunder chickens, but there are really only a few guys on this site that actually do.

From: trkyslr
13-May-18
Thanks for the props Nick but there a lot of great photographers on here and some that do it with turkeys. I enjoy seeing others pics when you can tell they take the extra time to make a good presentation to lock in that day that memory that will last a lifetime. I constantly get pm’s about the photography joe as I do and try and help as many guys and gals as possible. I, like pat give a lot of beginner tips that gets people in the right direction but honestly every location/terrain, time of the day, conditions and lighting of the day, birds condition and type of hunt is different which they all require an open mind to capture the best photos. Not every pic is a “hero” shot and my favorites are the natural photos that tell a story with raw emotion. This requires knowing your cameras capabilities, setup, and more which takes a while to learn. Again this is good stuff and a good thread for a lot of guys!

From: jims
13-May-18
Great suggestions for posing a turkey! Turkeys are spectacular with all their colors. It takes just the right light to catch all the irredescent colors. It's definitely worth the time figuring out the exact angle with the sun.

I'm usually in the field hunting all day for multiple turkeys so it's not really possible to carry a hammer and logs. I'm pretty sure the same pose could be done using rocks, tree limbs, or what ever is available in the field. A rock or log could be used to drive the nails through the leg....so no need to haul a hammer around. I often prop the legs in a similar fashion by propping them down with rocks, log, or what ever is available in the field.

Another suggestion if you are hunting alone is to buy a remote for your Iphone to take selfies. That way you don't have to run back and forth using the self-timer. Here's a remote you can pick up for around $5: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Remote-Control-Bluetooth-Selfie-GO-Camera-Shutter-for-Monopod-US-iPhone/292136573603?epid=1543253181&hash=item4404b25aa3:g:yRAAAOSwZrhaXtwe

I also bring along a micro tripod with Iphone attachment. It has bendable legs that can be placed on the ground, log, or wrapped around a tree limb. I sometimes place the tripod on top of a decoy or pack. It may be good to position the Iphone/camera at different heights to get the best closeups and background. I often take gobs of photos from different angles and distances from the game animal to take advantage of the background. It's also possible to take photos super close to get knarly photos of the head, beard, and feathers. In fact, I often take just closeup photos of irredescent feathers or striking closeup photos of the beard, spurs, etc. It's sometimes good to change things up rather than taking all the same exact hero shots. You may want to add a call, arrow, or something else to the photo to add memory to the particular trip.

Here's a pretty good micro-tripod. There are some that are a lot less expensive on ebay https://joby.com/gorillapod-tripods The tripod hardly weighs anything and easily fits in a pack. I use the same tripod on fishing and big game hunting trips.

From: Ziek
13-May-18
The most difficult part is getting the beard to show. Posing the rest of the bird is pretty easy. As was said, take many photos. I like to get a sense of habitat/terrain in the photo. And weather/lighting doesn't always cooperate. The wind was howling when we tried to get photos of my wife's bird this year. We couldn't get out of it. That prevented the "typical" fully fanned photo.

And use a real camera. iPhone cameras are getting better, and can be used in a pinch. But they get their results through processing electronics. That isn't nearly as good as good optics and sensor, and the ability to shoot in RAW format.

From: CCRider
13-May-18
Great idea, I never thought of that. I have used the foot thing but it's a royal pain since you have to keep running back and forth to the camera. This makes it a snap. Thank you.

And Nick, I'm pretty sure you're not a dick, but you sure sound like one in your post.

13-May-18

joehunter8301's embedded Photo
joehunter8301's embedded Photo
This is one of my favorite pix. Sun was behind the subject but flash and lightin all worked perfect. Many different situations call for different style or angles. It’s recognizing those that make the difference. Takes time and trial and error. I say this a lot about a lot of hunting things. If you want to be good at something, you’ll figure it out with desire. If you want to be half ass, well it’ll show. half ass effort half ass results

13-May-18

joehunter8301's embedded Photo
joehunter8301's embedded Photo
Another cool one

13-May-18

joehunter8301's embedded Photo
joehunter8301's embedded Photo
This was a cell phone pic...

13-May-18

joehunter8301's embedded Photo
joehunter8301's embedded Photo
Lighting, angle and a vision for what you want all lead to good photos. Chris and I constantly are trying things that don’t work but once in a while something just sticks an stands out. Most just don’t care and that’s ok. Also takes a buddy with same desire as you to capture good pix. Chris is one of the best photographers there is and I’m lucky to have him as a huntin buddy. If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be to just experiment and see what you get

From: trkyslr
13-May-18
Good teasers Jf for upcoming thread ;-)

From: jims
13-May-18
The fanned out toms look fantastic....but the other odd=ball shots similar to a couple above by joehunter definitely add character and variety to photos from trips.

I'm not sure if any of you make photo books of trips or experiences but they are a lot of fun. Shutterfly and other websites make photo book making super quick and easy. Photo books are fun to share with family and friends! The more photos you have of the country, other critters, and special events...the better to remember great trips! It's always worth it to me to sit back and relax for a moment and look at the surrounding country and other animals....that are fun to get on film!

13-May-18
Jim’s you sound like you know your stuff. You got some cool pix we can see?? Post em up

13-May-18
How do you get the shiny look?

From: cnelk
13-May-18
I don’t understand all the seriousness with some guys pics. Take the stick out your a$$ and smile.

From: trkyslr
13-May-18
Cnelk exactly!

From: tobywon
13-May-18
That cell phone photo is a fantastic photo, from the way that bird is naturally positioned, the angle of the tail feathers, the lighting, the wooded backdrop to the smile on the hunters face as he looks down at the bird. Well done. I don't like photos that are overly staged.

From: bud
13-May-18
Nice article. Thanks. Picked up some nice tips. Yes, im photo challenged lol.

From: trail hound
13-May-18
Good stuff! My wife owns a photography store. I showed her this thread and she was quite impressed.

From: t-roy
13-May-18
I think the pic of joe looking at the spurs is photoshopped. One of his toenails is on backwards! ;-)

From: trkyslr
14-May-18
Great pics scoot!

From: Mad Trapper
14-May-18
Good stuff!

From: Fuzzy
14-May-18
"First, find an incredible turkey"

From: DEC
14-May-18
Self photos of turkey kills is tough. Getting the focus right, lighting, timing ... it is all a real challenge. It is much easier if you have an experienced photographer along to help. These below are two versions of a double that I killed in Nebraska a few weeks back. I was alone and had to get everything down to get a decent trophy shot after the kill. I used the headlights from my truck to give me some general lighting and then my external flash for my Sony A6500 camera to get certain highlights. The wind was blowing so getting feathers to lay decent was a challenge. I bet I snapped 25+ photos ... most crap mainly due to timing issues just to get a couple "good enough" ones. From there is all post processing. I'm not a big fan of the HDR look, but here are a couple comparisons. Too each their own as we all have a "look" that we like. Both edited in Lightroom, one is more of my normal tweaking of the curves, saturation, and other edits. The other is more of an HDR type of edit that pushes various parameters. Regardless ... a self turkey trophy photo is tough to pull off. I would much rather shoot photos of someone else and their trophy.

From: Z Barebow
14-May-18
Step #1. Kill a turkey with my bow. I am out.

(Turkeys are my nemesis) But I will not give up!

From: Hunt98
14-May-18
Good article and tips!

How much $$$ do you spend on a camera, accessories and editing software?

From: Rut Nut
14-May-18
OK- is it just me......................................or does anyone else get immediately drawn(no pun intended) to the bow in the pic that is being held upside down?

I used to assume that when guys were holding their bow upside down in a posed pic that it was because they were so caught up in the moment that they mistakenly gripped the bow incorrectly. But then when I pointed it out one time on one of the threads here, some folks stated that they do this purposely. I am assuming that Pat is consciously holding it inverted, since he is going to great lengths to take all other aspects of the photo into account.

I just can't help it, but every time I look at that photo, my eyes are instantly drawn to those fletchings sticking up in the air. Just wondered if anyone else experiences the same thing?

From: Dikndirt
14-May-18
Not me, I never noticed it until you pointed it out, to busy staring at a beautifully posed turkey!!

From: Hawkeye
14-May-18

Hawkeye's embedded Photo
Hawkeye's embedded Photo
Great thread. I have always been impressed with Chris and Joe's turkey pics. Incredible! Chris and Joe-do you guys use enhancement features when editing the pics or are they as you take them? If so do you have any apps you recommend etc? I have taken all my other pictures for the last ten years with a timer and sprinting blocks;) This pic I actually had to put their heads back on after using the DCaps but always try to get better lighting etc. One things that drives me crazy and that I envy Chris and Joe is getting the knee pics.

How do you balance those damn things on your knee. I'd love a few pics like that but by the time I run back and grab the bird his breast knocks him off my knee...:(

From: smarba
14-May-18
Rut Nut: I immediately notice bow upside down in many trophy pics and it looks very odd to me also. I assume people do it to show off the arrows/fletching?

From: DEC
14-May-18

DEC's embedded Photo
DEC's embedded Photo
DEC's embedded Photo
DEC's embedded Photo
Not sure what happened to my two photos ... LOL. I screwed something up obviously ... LOL. Try this again.

From: ROUGHCOUNTRY
14-May-18
They don't show off well, in my opinion, unless they are elevated. With that being said, I don't like a vertical hang either as it tends to hide the beard. I prefer an inclined drape with something lighter as a background to show off the beard (like a stump, log or rock). I forget sometimes to get the wings extended while focusing on the fan. The extended wings adds about 5 pounds the bird:)

From: Rut Nut
14-May-18
Ok- then it's not just me!

I think I'm with smarba- it is not necessarily the color of the vanes that grabs my attention, but more the orientation of the bow. Guess it just seems un-natural to me. It's kind of uncanny how my eyes immediately go to the bow, no matter how hard I try to focus on the bird!

14-May-18

Southern draw's embedded Photo
Stump shot
Southern draw's embedded Photo
Stump shot
Here’s one with a the stump approach Taken with my cell by a farm hand.

From: Rut Nut
14-May-18
LOL! Pat! : )

It wasn't at all about liking or disliking the pic. YOU obviously like it and that is all the matters!

I was just curious if anybody else was seeing it as I did. (I've been told sometimes my perception is not "the norm"! ;-)

14-May-18
Those beach boys are pretty good at taking turkey pics, I guess. :)

14-May-18

joehunter8301's embedded Photo
joehunter8301's embedded Photo
The kneeling pose is impossible without a buddy or a remote on your camera. If I’m solo I pretty much throw that option out the window. It’s a tricky pose and can hurt the hell outta ur knees. I usually back up to where I wana be (as cameraman) for the pic look at it and see what adjustments are needed. Try to gap the bow, deeks, hunter all nicely proportionate and don’t cut out ends. Then it’s the bird. Tail fan gotta be evenly spread and I like the wings down as much as possible. It’s hard to get both wings perfect but it can be done. The beard is the hardest thing to see but I usually jus say the heck with it for my pix and try to make the bird look pretty. It take patience no doubt lots of times I take a round of pix and look at em and go naw I got better idea let’s try this and do it all over again. PITA and most don’t care enough to get them perfect. We do :) I am also a fan of pictures with various colors. Sky, woods, grass all add appeal. That’s enough typing for now here’s a few fall pix from past few falls.

14-May-18

joehunter8301's embedded Photo
joehunter8301's embedded Photo
Bearded hen from last fall

14-May-18

joehunter8301's embedded Photo
joehunter8301's embedded Photo
This was a solo hunt I did 2 falls ago. This was a timed solo pic just worked out there was a log jam that I was able to tie the bird up in and run back an forth. Took bout 15 tries to get the perfect pic I was satisfied with

14-May-18
This was a solo hunt I did 2 falls ago. This was a timed solo pic just worked out there was a log jam that I was able to tie the bird up in and run back an forth. Took bout 15 tries to get the perfect pic I was satisfied with

14-May-18
Great picture!!

From: Hawkeye
14-May-18
Cool photos an great tips. Thanks Joe!

From: tobywon
14-May-18
Some nice photos guys. Maybe its just me but why put decoys into the shot, especially them humping...lol

14-May-18
Product promo...;^)

From: Brotsky
14-May-18

Brotsky's embedded Photo
Brotsky's embedded Photo
There's some great turkey shots that don't need a lot of set-up either. Especially ones that tell a story.

From: No Mercy
14-May-18

No Mercy's embedded Photo
No Mercy's embedded Photo
No Mercy's embedded Photo
But I’ve taken a few other good ones
No Mercy's embedded Photo
But I’ve taken a few other good ones
No Mercy's embedded Photo
But I keep using the same tree and I can’t keep the years straight. Lol
No Mercy's embedded Photo
But I keep using the same tree and I can’t keep the years straight. Lol
Great article Pat!

I always search for the perfect tree.

From: trkyslr
14-May-18
And as you can see someone has to be the hot sexy model for joe when he’s the photographer! Bahahahaaaa. That first kneeling pic is from this last fall and probably one of my favorite fall turkey kill pics to date.. with the fall colors and pose it just flat out worked. We probably took 20 pics before we got what we were looking for. And as someone mentioned why are the deeks in the picture... well cuz we like the gear used to be shown.. Me personally I like seeing a hunting picture with the tools (bow, gun, deeks, whatever..) being shown as majority of hardcore hunters want to see that stuff knowing how the animal was harvested and with what gear. Plus maybe a little product promo ;-)

14-May-18

Ward's Outfitters's embedded Photo
Gould's Turkey taken with Ward's Outfitters.
Ward's Outfitters's embedded Photo
Gould's Turkey taken with Ward's Outfitters.
Here's a beautiful Gould's. They always look great with wings spread.

14-May-18

Ward's Outfitters's embedded Photo
Ward's Outfitters's embedded Photo

From: trkyslr
14-May-18
steven that first photo is awesome display of a gorgeous bird and perfect natural lighting. well done! only small nit picking thing id point out is he could show the bow just a little better. man i need a goulds bird bad!

From: trkyslr
14-May-18

trkyslr's embedded Photo
trkyslr's embedded Photo
As brotsky mentioned sometimes not a perfectly displayed bird or birds is not always required to tell a story or make a picture great. This is one of my favorite double kneeling pics where joe and I arrowed these two toms within seconds of each other. Kyle took this pic with a great DSLR camera (if I remember right) on manual focus from a distance to get the blur clear blur effect. All smiles :-)

From: longbeard
14-May-18
Geeeesh I think you guys are way over thinking this. A few good tips for sure but if I only get B+ photos instead of A+, I’m good with that. I can still look at that B quality photo and recount the fond memories of the hunt. I spend more time trying to kill another turkey than trying to getting the lighting for my photo correct

14-May-18

Ward's Outfitters's embedded Photo
Ward's Outfitters's embedded Photo

From: trkyslr
14-May-18
Longbeard cmon when you’re tagged out for the day I gotta burn a little extra time excelling at more then just killing them to carry on that special hunt other then in my own head ;-)

..... were closing in on our goal for this season so we’ll try harder,,, stay tuned :-)

From: trkyslr
14-May-18
Steven awesome! Those are awesome birds.

From: PAstringking
15-May-18

PAstringking's embedded Photo
PAstringking's embedded Photo
Another south of the boarder bird

From: PAstringking
15-May-18

PAstringking's embedded Photo
PAstringking's embedded Photo
And another

From: trkyslr
15-May-18
Pa awesome!!!!

From: tobywon
15-May-18

tobywon's embedded Photo
tobywon's embedded Photo
Some great photos guys. Sometimes I like to keep my ugly mug out of the photos :)

From: Kodiak
15-May-18

Kodiak  's embedded Photo
Kodiak  's embedded Photo

From: tobywon
15-May-18

tobywon's embedded Photo
tobywon's embedded Photo
No comparison to some of the others, especially with the lack of green during the early spring youth season, but has a lot of meaning to us both.

15-May-18

Charlie Rehor's embedded Photo
Charlie Rehor's embedded Photo
Charlie Rehor's embedded Photo
Natural
Charlie Rehor's embedded Photo
Natural
Bake does a fine job too:)

From: wilbur
15-May-18

wilbur's embedded Photo
wilbur's embedded Photo
Tried to get artsy with the bird I bagged this morning.

From: wilbur
15-May-18

wilbur's embedded Photo
wilbur's embedded Photo

15-May-18

EmbryOklahoma's embedded Photo
Kansas Tom.... gun kill
EmbryOklahoma's embedded Photo
Kansas Tom.... gun kill
EmbryOklahoma's embedded Photo
SE Oklahoma Tom 2007 or 08'. Gun kill
EmbryOklahoma's embedded Photo
SE Oklahoma Tom 2007 or 08'. Gun kill
EmbryOklahoma's embedded Photo
Wife's first ever turkey... 2005. Took this with a 35mm throw away camera. :)
EmbryOklahoma's embedded Photo
Wife's first ever turkey... 2005. Took this with a 35mm throw away camera. :)
A few of my wife's birds from a couple years ago. Taking quality pics is part of the process, imo.

From: cnelk
15-May-18

cnelk's embedded Photo
cnelk's embedded Photo
My son's first turkey several years ago. I take lots of pics after the game is down to be sure to capture the 'moment'.

15-May-18
Great pix everyone!!

From: scentman
15-May-18
very nice pics...sure have come along way from the kodak pocket camera with a flash cube!

15-May-18

stick n string's embedded Photo
stick n string's embedded Photo

From: Errorhead
15-May-18

Errorhead's embedded Photo
Errorhead's embedded Photo
I don’t get enough opportunities to take pictures of turkeys. Only two in 31years! So I’m happy even with a bad picture!

From: tobywon
15-May-18

tobywon's embedded Photo
tobywon's embedded Photo
You guys have it all wrong....lol

From: Hawkeye
15-May-18
How old is your boy Scoot? That's awesome man! Congrats:) Love the walking away pics with the birch trees (or aspen?-always get those confused)

From: Kodiak
15-May-18

Kodiak  's embedded Photo
Kodiak  's embedded Photo

15-May-18
Lol Toby

From: Rut Nut
15-May-18
Absolutely LOVE the composition of some of those pics!

The simplicity of Stick n String's pic, the unique setting of Wilbur's with the tractor(top one) and the color and composition of Scoot's son walking thru the meadow. Among others...........

16-May-18

EmbryOklahoma's embedded Photo
EmbryOklahoma's embedded Photo
This was my last turkey with a bow, back in 2010. I'm posting it to irritate Rut Nut. Lol. :)

16-May-18
Hahaha, thats funny Rick

From: Rut Nut
16-May-18
LOL! Good one Embry! : )

I would say nice bird, but I can't get a good look at it- can't take my eyes off that dang upside down bow! ;-)

From: Rut Nut
16-May-18
: )

From: BOHNTR
16-May-18

BOHNTR's embedded Photo
BOHNTR's embedded Photo
Joe took this photo for me.....my favorite!

From: Bake
16-May-18
Charlie called me out!!! :)

I love a good turkey photo. I used to spend quite a bit of time with it. Anymore, I generally don't. The vast majority of my turkeys are killed on the same farm. They all look generally the same, they're 2 or 3 year old birds with 10 inch beards. I'm grateful and thankful for them all, and I love it. But frankly, except for my wardrobe which changes every 3-4 years, all my pictures look pretty much the same. I just continue to age in them.

Secondly, I kill most of my birds on early morning hunts before work. By the time I get home from the farm, my wife is walking out the door for her work. I'm needing to get cleaning so I can get to work not-too-tardily. And I just don't have the desire to spend 20-30 minutes primping and setting up a self-timer and all that jazz.

The only reason I took the picture Charlie posted above, was that I'm in a turkey "contest" that a cousin of mine puts on. It's between about 10 friends/family members. It's fun and no pressure (at least for me :) ). One of his rules is that you have to have a picture with you in it, with the turkey. I think he started that rule because I was just sending pics of a dead turkey laid out on the tailgate :)

This year, I learned that the above picture got posted to Facebook (which I don't have), so my second turkey I tried to take a better non-sarcastic picture :)

I'm a picture freak. I cherish them and keep them. but the turkey pics just don't mean much to me anymore, because they all look the same to me, except I have more gray hair and wrinkles in each successive year

16-May-18
I say that was worth the hike huh Roy :-) good memories

From: BOHNTR
16-May-18
Sure was, buddy! We'll need to do something like that again.....once the house is all built.

From: TD
16-May-18
What do y'all do with the ones you shoot with Bullheads? Duct tape? =D

From: smarba
16-May-18
TD: seriously I had to lay my bird and creativly rearrange a sprig of pine bough to disguise that his head was not connected to his neck!

From: Rut Nut
16-May-18
I agree with Scoot, that’s a great picture bohntr!

From: Rut Nut
16-May-18

Rut Nut's embedded Photo
Rut Nut's embedded Photo
Hey guys, Do any of you use those apps that let you manipulate the color and shading of your pics? I don’t know the names of them, but an ice-fishing buddy of mine uses them and gets some amazing results! I don’t have any hunting related pics, but here is an example.

From: Ziek
16-May-18
That's a matter of taste. HDR and other post-processing can be over done, as in that photo.

From: Rut Nut
16-May-18
Yeah, that pic is definitely on the extreme end of the spectrum. Just demonstrates what can be done. Just wondered if any of you played around with apps like this. That last pic that bohntr posted got me thinking......................the colors are so vibrant. And some of the other pics posted look like they could have been possibly enhanced by one of these apps.

From: Ridge Wraith
16-May-18

Ridge Wraith's embedded Photo
Ridge Wraith's embedded Photo
Some top notch turkey photos on this thread for sure. Thanks for getting it started Pat.

Most turkey photos are taken with a fairly short focal length. To make some of mine a little different I prefer to use a long lens (high zoom) and put a good distance between the subject and background to get good creamy bokeh.

As Chris mentioned above in the double kneeling picture, that was taken at 300 mm and F2.8.

This photo was taken by my 7 year old son at 200mm F2.8. He nailed it like a boss! Happy hunting all!

From: trkyslr
16-May-18
Awesome pic Kyle!

17-May-18

Ward's Outfitters's embedded Photo
Ward's Outfitters's embedded Photo

17-May-18

Ward's Outfitters's embedded Photo
Ward's Outfitters's embedded Photo

From: Yodameister
18-May-18

Yodameister's embedded Photo
Yodameister's embedded Photo
So glad I read this thread before my successful hunt yesterday afternoon. I’m not saying my pictures are great but they are at a higher level than they would have been had I not seen this conversation.

From: trkyslr
18-May-18
Curtis, great pic and nice display on them wings!

From: Rut Nut
18-May-18
Nice bird Curtis! I can actually SEE that one! (Due to good bow orientation ;-)

From: jims
18-May-18
Wow, congrats Curtis....gorgeous bird and photo!

18-May-18

stick n string's embedded Photo
stick n string's embedded Photo
Got one to come in screaming Tuesday. Only day we got to see the sun... Killed him at 25 yds with a magnus bullhead, no blind. Was quite a rush!

From: BO-N-ARO
22-May-18

BO-N-ARO's embedded Photo
BO-N-ARO's embedded Photo
Great tips on taking those field photos, will have to give that a try. Here is my Miriam from SE Colorado. It was a wet morning and his feathers were a mess, but it is what it is.

22-May-18
Great pic with the sky/landscape Bo

From: Rut Nut
22-May-18
Nice pic stick! He's takin' the 'ol "DIRT NAP!" (literally! ;-)

Love those Merriams! Looks good to me! : )

From: mnbwhtr
23-May-18

mnbwhtr's embedded Photo
mnbwhtr's embedded Photo
Hard to get a good picture with wet,wet bird. Here's mine from yesterday. SE Mn

From: Kick'em up
23-May-18

Kick'em up's embedded Photo
Kick'em up's embedded Photo
opps wrong pic

23-May-18

Wapiti Chaser's embedded Photo
Wapiti Chaser's embedded Photo
Lots of nice pictures! Here’s one of my daughters bird Sunday.

From: Mark Watkins
24-May-18
Great insight and advice on here!

Not and easy topic to "master!"

Thank you all.

Mark

From: lewis
24-May-18
I need some photo lessons Lewis

From: Hammer
24-May-18

Hammer's embedded Photo
Hammer's embedded Photo
My first bird . Head shot at 22 yards . Got lucky !

From: Stressless
25-May-18

Stressless's embedded Photo
Took the first two Ohio gobbles on my property in one food plot strutting lane. Bullhead got the job done.
Stressless's embedded Photo
Took the first two Ohio gobbles on my property in one food plot strutting lane. Bullhead got the job done.
Stressless's embedded Photo
My buddy and his bird from this year, note the elevated angle and difference.
Stressless's embedded Photo
My buddy and his bird from this year, note the elevated angle and difference.
Good stuff on the mockup or staging blocks like you show to hold the bird and get the wings out. It was mentioned that to get pics a elevated camera position via those gippy tripods works very well. I'll be doing that and have the blocks ready for this fall.

10-Jul-18

Bowfinatic 's embedded Photo
Bowfinatic 's embedded Photo
Thank you for the post Helped me setup this pic of a young man with his first bird

From: Bou'bound
26-Apr-23
This is so excellent

From: JohnMC
26-Apr-23
Aren't this the guys that could also do a how to bait deer in CA thread?

From: Buckdeer
26-Apr-23
I have one of my daughter and a young man carrying a pair of toms over their shoulders they shot when she was 9 or so and him a couple years older.It was part of the photo display at their wedding

From: 4nolz@work
26-Apr-23

4nolz@work's embedded Photo
4nolz@work's embedded Photo
Use light too.Here are a couple friends who came to hunt with me this Spring.

From: PA Bones
26-Apr-23

PA Bones's embedded Photo
PA Bones's embedded Photo
Nice birds fellas! Here is one I shot with a selfbow I made

From: thedude
26-Apr-23

thedude's embedded Photo
thedude's embedded Photo
7 yards

From: sheds
26-Apr-23

sheds's embedded Photo
sheds's embedded Photo
Nice photos guys this is my favorite

From: nijimasu
06-Aug-23

nijimasu's embedded Photo
nijimasu's embedded Photo
I think we strategically placed some sticks to get this shot-

From: TonyBear
06-Aug-23

TonyBear's embedded Photo
TonyBear's embedded Photo
Backed the tom up to the small blind and spread the feathers. Against the brilliant green foliage.

From: Paul@thefort
06-Aug-23

Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo

From: Paul@thefort
06-Aug-23

Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Some times self photos can be hard to set up as all of these were.
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Some times self photos can be hard to set up as all of these were.
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo
Paul@thefort's embedded Photo

From: nijimasu
06-Aug-23

nijimasu's embedded Photo
nijimasu's embedded Photo
I think we strategically placed some sticks to get this shot-

From: Bou'bound
23-Mar-24

From: t-roy
23-Mar-24
Timely thread brought back up, beings the photo option doesn’t seem to be working.

Here’s a pic of my buddy Nick’s (Midwest) bird that he didn’t shoot on my farm, last spring….

From: Pat Lefemine
23-Mar-24

Pat Lefemine's embedded Photo
Pat Lefemine's embedded Photo
Not a bow kill but I always liked this pic of my oldest son's first bird on our NY property.

From: Pat Lefemine
23-Mar-24

Pat Lefemine's embedded Photo
Pat Lefemine's embedded Photo

From: t-roy
23-Mar-24

t-roy's embedded Photo
t-roy's embedded Photo
One of last year’s birds.

From: Lewis
26-Mar-24

Lewis 's embedded Photo
Lewis 's embedded Photo
Great pictures y’all hope to see more soon Good luck Lewis

From: Brotsky
26-Mar-24

Brotsky's embedded Photo
Brotsky's embedded Photo
My best turkey trophy photo.

From: Helgermite
29-Mar-24

Helgermite's embedded Photo
Helgermite's embedded Photo
One of my favorite turkey pictures with my daughter / good luck charm with me when I got him.

From: Whocares
29-Mar-24
Those are all well done pics.

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