Modern day tricks are common in trophy fish photographs because anglers love to see big fish photos.
Photo courtesy of Kathryn Maroun
This picture looks odd because the fish and the people (myself included) are not to scale. I wanted to show you this shot to make the point that these sorts of pictures can cause problems.
The common practice of holding the fish way out, away from the body to make it look much larger than it is, and or, the classic fish-eye lens, can cause disappointment.
The Jurassic park animal, shown above, is an impossible conquest. People book trips thinking they can catch a fish like the one they see in the picture. This fish does not exist. It is just good camera work and long arms. I see a lot of this sort of thing on Facebook and in print ads.
I wish we could get back to what really matters … “who you want to spend the day with and the wonderful memories you are building together.”
Visit Kathryn Maroun at What A Catch!
Kathryn Maroun is one of a handful of Canadian women to be certified as an FFF casting instructor. She is the award winning executive producer of What A Catch Productions. The 52 show series highlights Kathryn's fishing adventures from around the world. Kathryn exposes never talked about hazards of the sport, conservation, culture, as well as showcasing exotic game fish in her series. Her show first aired in the US before being internationally distributed. Kathryn is featured in the collection of two prominent museums for her significant contribution to the sport of fly fishing. Kathryn Maroun is the president and founder of Casting for Recovery Canada, past director of Trout Unlimited Canada and past member of the Canadian World Fly Fishing team. Along with creating a line of clothing for women at work in the outdoors, Kathryn has fished around the world and has a number of world record fish to her name. Today she dedicates her time to writing about her miss-adventures and enjoys telling her stories through keynote speaking opportunities. Kathryn is campaigning to create a more balanced playing field for women in the sport. View all posts by Kathryn Maroun
Hey Jim
The bones and gills require that they stay in the water. Science is a big help these days. We understand so much more than we did even 5 years ago about how angling impacts our watery friends.
I cannot seem to remember the last time I took a picture of a fish or had one taken of me with a fish. It is some time ago. I’m still fishing and catching fish and releasing them but it is so much easier now that I don’t think a picture is necessary as part of the experience. Who is the picture for anyway? I can recall most of the fish I’ve landed right down to that very first salmon in 1971. No picture could tell the story better than my memory. I see too many fish mishandled due to the obligatory snapshot that it irritates me to see it being so important. Keep the fish in the water as much as you possibly can to assist in insuring it’s survival.
Bravo Andrew
I love to hear your news. Unusual as it is.
So refreshing!!
All of you are so on target! My wife Donna has complained for many years about the set backs that happen when women are lightly dressed and also the photos where the fishes nose seems to be touching the lense. Personally, I am only 5 ft 6 ” tall and fairly strong! I have been known to hold my fish out away from my body. That is what I do in some situations. I learned that from a very good friend who has since passed and he was a National Outdoor Writer. Holding a fish to your body never looks quite as good to me!
Jim
Your wife is a smart lady. Holding the fish in the water may be a great new pose for your pictures in the new year. Tight lines and quick releases in the New Year.
Thanks Les
I had a feeling that I was not alone on this.
You’re not Kathryn. You’re not. But far too few are willing to speak out.
Hallelujah! Finally we have a ‘named author’ speaking out about ‘exaggeration photography’!!! Amazing. Thank you Kathryn! Aside from the over-abundant use of the fish-maiming Lip-Grip hold, the abusive use of ‘exaggerated photos’ is my 2nd biggest pet-peeve in outdoor photography: regardless of the pursuit!
If people who go outdoor and record their pursuits … can’t take a photo for the sake of showing a ‘good time was had by all, and Oh!, BTW, I caught a fish; bagged a buck; climbed a rock; skied a slope; camped here; etc., etc., etc……. – with a 35mm – 55mm lens WITHOUT Xtra-visible-perception-manipulation … then leave the camera at home.
Thank you for speaking UP and OUT. Maybe ..just maybe, this will snag someones sensibility and give pause for thought. Oh, I DO HOPE!
KUDOS Prime!
O’fieldstream
And there is always the ones where they stick the head into the lens to make it look a mile long.
My biggest peeve is women in bikinis holding fish they obviously never caught, I’m doing a project for a fishing website that wants to open up to Ladies Fishing and the first thing I told them was not to post Fishing Porn.
Don’t get me wrong, I like girls, but it’s demeaning to the ones who actually are pros, or are true fisherwomen.
Just my two cents
Bravo!!!
Well said Robert. So refreshing to hear. Drop me a note when your new website is live. Love to support like minded people.
Tgif
Kathryn
Kathryn, I agree, keep them in the water, especially the big ones, their bones can’t take the load on them when they are lifted out of the water. Nothing wrong with taking a shot of the fish still in the water, either beside the boat or get in the water with it, I’ve seen you do that quite a few times.