Photography Tips from Flats Nation!

Several of these topics we covered on Flats Nation in other Audio and Written Articles, but after some feedback, thought it wise to create one just for this topic that we can (also) update as technology changes not only for your camera, but your phone since we always have them with us!

Yes, you can grab great pictures with your Phone, it's post cleanup that makes them really pop!

So, here some basic photography tips and steps to take into consideration while taking those pictures be them from the Shore or Skiff, to help you capture those memories to share, or just to use as your own personalize wallpaper for your PC and Mobile devices. 😎

Tips for better pictures!

1. Make sure you take the time to frame up and level the shot with the intended background. iPhone as well as many cameras have the ability to show a level on the screen before taking the picture.

2. A wider angle is (usually) better since you can crop it in to remove items you do not desire from the picture later. And don't forget about Mood and Camera Angle when taking the shot or has I have discovered. I will take shots from several levels in the same location to grab as many options as possible to work with later. Here is a great short clip from one of our favorite artists Clyde Butcher here in Florida, as he covers the very subject.

3. Adjust the settings for your phone's stock picture applications to avoid any reduction in photo quality. Explore other applications like Adobe Lightroom and others, some of which are available for free, offering a wider range of photography settings than the stock applications.

Pick up a few tips and unleash more features using Lightroom Mobile when taking pictures!

4. Many apps even feature a level tool to ensure perfect alignment before taking your shot. Also, turn your phone horizontally to capture more of the background!

   
   

   

   
   

5. The phone is outstanding for close-up shots (besides it is usually in our back pocket), though its quality can decrease when zooming in on distant subjects. It's more effective to physically adjust your distance closer to re-frame the picture, rather than relying on electronic zoom features.

We use Adobe products to edit our content, and you can try them too by clicking on the picture above!

6. Low light conditions can make for beautiful shots, but you need to be able to support and steady the camera or phone long enough to get them. Something as simple as a flat section of the seawall (look around) to set it to level and steady the camera (for those who do not have a tripod) will help keep those shots more focused while the shutter stays open longer to grab enough light.

Be sure to grab some free Flats Nation wallpaper featuring of "Places You'd Rather Be" to help you relax—just click the picture above!

7. After taking pictures (iPhone app), open them up and tap on the edit button. The auto enhancement wand can work wonders on their light balance, and most seem always to be a little too dark, which usually corrects. It's easy enough to undo those adjustments if you do not like them. Now, if you would like to expand your editing skills and tool set, this free program called Paint.Net really does have some excellent features, and I use it all the time, as we discussed in our show with Keith Lusher on this very same topic.

8. When ready, elevate your photography skills by exploring fantastic deals on used camera equipment! Look for equipment with a sensor of 16 megapixels or higher, regardless of the format, and remember that the lens is more crucial than the body. I recently acquired an excellent used body and lens combo for a few hundred dollars, which captures superior shots compared to almost any phone, thanks to the sensor and lens size.

   
   

9. YouTube is an excellent resource for learning about your camera or one you want to buy! Plenty of tips and reviews on them going back many years now, and you would be surprised what you can learn there. A simple search on the Name and Model, like Fujifilm XT-4, is all you need to type in the search bar.

The TS-X Series Binoculars are a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts! With their exceptional optics and stabilization technology, they make spotting fish or distant objects a breeze!

10. Make sure properly clean up your gear after getting exposed to the Marine Environment, and you can read and watch more about that critical preventive maintenance aspect by clicking here:

And you can download a copy of these tips to have with you below: 📸

Quick tips for better pictures.pdf

Download PDF • 476KB

Promote your brand with Flats Nation and reach global customers. Click to learn how!

In the meantime,

• We invite you to take in a few Flats Nation Podcast Episodes to help "Scratch that Fishing Itch" when working or traveling and you cannot hitch up the Skiff and go by clicking Here:

• Or our new Media section that we created with our latest website release, where you can hear all of our Podcasts, Sound Bites, and Flats Nation Updates all in one listing found by clicking Here: We have some great guests in the works on a wide range of topics and product coverage soon.

Also, The "Flats Nation" Merch and Swag collection, if you like our content, has some new works, from T-shirts to our newer Technical wear, which can be found Here:

Flats Nation Performance wear in the blend-in colors we now have. Click on the picture to view our entire collection!

So, do like, and share Flats Nation with Family and Friends if you would 😎

Good Shooting, and God Bless!