Michael Ernst is a professional angler, outdoor writer and photographer. His photography can be seen on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bostphotography and on his new website, www.bosticoutdoorphotography.com.
When did you know photography was what you wanted to pursue?
When I was around 10 years old, I sold cookie dough and pizzas for my school fundraiser. If we sold a certain amount, we got prizes; the more you sold, the higher the value of the prize. I sold as much as I could just to get to the bracket with the camera. It was a cheap 110mm camera without a flash or anything special. Right after I got it, there was a storm with some awesome clouds. I ran out and used an entire roll of film on the clouds. None of the pictures were clear; as a matter of fact, it was impossible to take clear pictures with that camera! But my passion continued on from this early age.
What’s your favorite shot of all time and what did it take to get it?
My favorite shot so far is one of a musky coming out of the water, a topwater lure in its mouth. I tagged along, camera in hand, with a friend who had some clients out musky fishing. Five hours of fishing and we didn’t even see a musky; then, all of the sudden, it happened. Fifteen seconds later the fish was in the net. But in those fifteen seconds the musky became completely airborne about 15 feet from the boat and I managed to get three great shots of it, one coming out of the water and two mid-air.
How many photos did it take before you started seeing the results you wanted to see?
Thousands and thousands. And I am still unhappy with my results after every shoot. I look at every picture; even in the ones I love, I immediately find something I could have done to improve the image. But that is where most everything I learn comes from…experience in the field!
What’s the one shot that you may be trying for but just haven’t gotten yet?
I want to get a sequence of shots of a musky, or another type of fish, following a topwater lure and then hitting it. Ideally, it would be to get a shot of the mouth of the fish just before it eats the lure.
What would be your number one tip for someone looking to capture amazing photos?
Patience and lighting! You need patience to get that shot you are looking for. If I hadn’t been ready during the entire five hours of musky fishing, I wouldn’t have gotten those shots. Make sure your settings are right and your lighting is good. You can be shooting away at the perfect moment only to later realize all your photos are blown out or too dark.
Do you have a favorite subject?
As far as outdoor subjects, I love shooting fish action shots. I also do a lot of portraits and album covers for musicians in Nashville, including my wife, Jenn Bostic. Overall, I would say my wife is my favorite subject!
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