To stare or not to stare?

One pose evokes "Man, look at that awesome fish" the other "Man, look at me the awesome angler"

Each has its respective place.

For the classic meathook shot, looking at the camera is just fine... its about conquest over the quarry. "Check me out... I prevailed over this nice fish!" Fitting in its own right... the fish is already dead and so the focus shifts to the angler.

For release shots, I'll side with those that stare. Everything is directed at the fish. The very fact that the angler is already looking at the fish makes you the viewer automatically focus your attention on the fish as well. In our day to day encounters, we all strive for eye contact... it's just the way the human mind works. If you can't make eye contact with the angler, your attention shifts elsewhere. Often times, it ends up being eye contact with the fish.

The stare shots also appear more active, more candid, more "in the moment". The angler is occupied with the task of getting that magnificent critter on his way. It looks like he/she is actually doing something besides standing there waiting to get a picture taken.

And nodoby's got it down better than Danny.