By : Katie Rojas
A good fishing photo doesn't happen by accident — but it doesn't require a professional camera either. Most people are shooting on a phone, and a phone is more than enough. The difference between a photo you're proud of and one that ends up deleted usually comes down to a few simple choices made in the ten seconds before you press the button.
Here's how to make those seconds count.
Get close. Either move the camera right up to the fish or zoom in until it fills the frame. Most phone cameras have a wide-angle lens that makes everything look smaller and farther away than it is — closing that distance fixes it. If the angler and fish are looking small in the frame, have them hold the fish close to their face and step toward the camera.
Have the angler hold the fish out away from their body and toward the camera. It makes the fish look bigger and the photo more dynamic — and there's nothing wrong with that.
Turn the flash on even if it's sunny. This sounds backwards but it works — harsh midday sun creates deep shadows across faces and washes out the fish. A fill flash evens everything out and brings back the color and detail that makes a fish worth photographing in the first place.
For sun angle, position the photographer so the sun is about 45 degrees off either shoulder rather than directly behind or in front of the subject. Then turn the fish so its back faces the sun. This keeps the belly from blowing out white in the frame.
The expression. Smile big, high five, kiss the fish — whatever honestly captures the moment. A genuine reaction is always better than a stiff pose, and fishing is supposed to be fun. Let the photo look like it.
Treat the fish with care while you're at it. A quick photo and a clean release is the right way to end the catch.
Tag your photos with #ZebcoFishing — we want to see what you're pulling out of the water.
Share your photos with #ZebcoFishing
