Posted on January 11 2015
Lately I've read several articles online, then mentions on social media, and had several text and telephone conversations with friends on the idea of keeping fish in the water for a couple photographs and fight the urge to hold a fish out of the water at eye level for a few grip and grins before they are released. The more that I think and talk about it, the better idea this becomes.
A few thoughts that keep circling my brain are... Why is a grip and grin is so important to anglers? Does it prove you caught the fish or is it something else? Is this really the best way to capture a memory? Are we all just narcissistic assholes? Is there something better? I think there is.
Something else that I have been thinking about is that in a photo essay, or blog post, or article in a magazine, I would rather see photos highlighting the experience with snapshots of the location, a fly box, some macro element of the moment, than to see image after image of a big fish held up for the camera lens. That just reads to me "I caught this. Check me out..." and less about what it's all supposed to be about.
I certainly don't want to come across all preachy with this post, cause it wouldn't be that tough to find a few photos of me (or people that I've fished with) holding a fish up over the water, but it doesn't mean that I can't do better from here on out with the photographs that I post on T.F.M. and on social media. My resolve from here on out is that fish will stay in the net or cradled in hands while still in the water. No more lifting fish from the water for a pose. It's better for the fish and I think it makes for a better photograph typically as well.
The Native Fish Society recently kicked off a KEEP 'EM WET photo contest that is worth checking out that runs until May 31st, 2015. They are keeping track of photographs hashtagged with #keepemwet and have some sweet prizes in the mix. Details HERE.
I think it's a good idea if fish stay in the water and I am going to try to do my part with the #keepemwet campaign. How about you?
A few thoughts that keep circling my brain are... Why is a grip and grin is so important to anglers? Does it prove you caught the fish or is it something else? Is this really the best way to capture a memory? Are we all just narcissistic assholes? Is there something better? I think there is.
Something else that I have been thinking about is that in a photo essay, or blog post, or article in a magazine, I would rather see photos highlighting the experience with snapshots of the location, a fly box, some macro element of the moment, than to see image after image of a big fish held up for the camera lens. That just reads to me "I caught this. Check me out..." and less about what it's all supposed to be about.
I certainly don't want to come across all preachy with this post, cause it wouldn't be that tough to find a few photos of me (or people that I've fished with) holding a fish up over the water, but it doesn't mean that I can't do better from here on out with the photographs that I post on T.F.M. and on social media. My resolve from here on out is that fish will stay in the net or cradled in hands while still in the water. No more lifting fish from the water for a pose. It's better for the fish and I think it makes for a better photograph typically as well.
The Native Fish Society recently kicked off a KEEP 'EM WET photo contest that is worth checking out that runs until May 31st, 2015. They are keeping track of photographs hashtagged with #keepemwet and have some sweet prizes in the mix. Details HERE.
I think it's a good idea if fish stay in the water and I am going to try to do my part with the #keepemwet campaign. How about you?
