Taking Memorable Fishing Photos

Best Shots Are Not Posed

Story and Photo By Kathy Magers

Magazine editors call them "grip and grin" shots - the ones of anglers gripping a fish and grinning at the camera. They're normally a dime a dozen and nothing gets boring faster in a magazine than these shots.

So editors ask photographers to take pictures from different angles - not always head on - but sometimes get lower or higher and snap a shot. This creates unique photos -such as the one accompanying this article.

My grand daughter, Miss Priss - who was usually found in my closet digging through my jewelry box and high heels to play dress up - was this day, actually insisting that she could take the bream off the hook herself, no help needed from Grandma.

So I gave her a chance and while she figited with the tiny bream, I stood overhead taking photos. To no surprise, of all the shots I got that day - these showing her hands but no face tunred out favorites.

Most adults will also stop taking a picture if a child begins to frown or cry for any reason - but don't! Take it anyway - these turn out to be the most priceless. Anyone can stand and pose with a "1-2-3- cheese!" grin. But the real memory of the day comes years later when you see a frowning child, frustrated by being told "it's time to go." Or pouting because a passing duck snuck up and ate his/her cookie.

To take professional type photos,look through your camera viewfinder and move forward toward the subject until what you see is exactly what you would want to frame and hang on your wall. Standing too far back makes the subject so small they can't be seen. Close ups are great. It's called "fill-the-frame."

With children, you might also get down on the same level with them - eye-to-eye to snap photos. Or get beneath or above them for a different perspective. A child's face framed by a solid blue sky can be striking.

Color also makes a photo. Imagine if a person wearing a baby blue T-shirt and shorts is fishing in baby bluye water against a baby blue sky. The monotone photo would be dull. But a red visor or hat would absolutely "pop" the photo and make it eye-catching.

So consider these tips in making all your family fishing photos more meaningful and memorable - and even more professional, too!

Say cheese!