Ripley, Doc, Opie, BFD and others are spot on and I think their pics reflect that.

Just a couple of things I would like to add.

1: Know when NOT to take a pic! If the area you landed your fish does not contain nice calm, clean water then forgo the pic. Graveled tailouts being absolutely perfect. This is most often up to the rower/driver as to picking the best bank spot to net the fish. Stay away from muddy backwaters and real fast current. The rower/driver needs to be firm about this as the angler is often screaming directions counter to this but I've gotten pretty good at ignoring front seaters . But as the angler it is ultimately up to you. Many times I've long released a fish as it would just take too long to row to a proper spot. I'll also forgo the pic if I see any blood!

2: Use a net! A proper net is a comfort zone for all involved including the fish. As long as you don't lift the net into the fish and use it as a mini net pen instead the fish will relax allowing the angler and photographer the ability to "think it thru" so when it comes time for the pic it's a 1-2 second affair. Also a great way to give the fish a drink between shots. One real neat trick I learned from Bob was we once had a fish thrashing in the net. He covered the fishes eyes with his hat and the fish calmed right down. I've used that trick a few times since and it works real well.

and...................

3: If your a front seater and want a pic give your camera to the rower/driver AT THE BIGINNING OF THE DAY. I've really pissed off front seaters before when after the fish is safely netted they set their rod down, walk back up to the drifter, climb into the drifter and then start digging around a dry bag looking for a buried camera. I'll indulge them for about a minute (read net pen above) but any longer then that by the time they find their camera there is no longer a fish to take a pic of!

I'm sure I'll get a little grief for this one but I love the grip-n-grins and much prefer that the angler is looking at the camera. I think the recent trend of looking down at the fish just sort of looks gay

I love fish pictures, but I won't harm a fish to get one. One thing I have noticed is that ever since I started fishing out of a sled (dragging bait, side-drifting, whatever they call that) I have maybe got 1 or 2 pictures of wild fish in 10 years.

It seems like that method of fishing where you are always drifting along, even while you fight the fish, doesn't really give you a good opportunity for a grip-n-grin, unless you are willing to pull the boat over and jump out. Everyone I fish with (me included) wears xtra tufs, and they only go calf high. So 95% of the free-drifting wild fish we have caught I just have pulled along side the boat and de-hooked. Everyone would rather just keep fishing than get a picture of their fish.

I am going to try to get more pictures this winter, I have taken the last 2 winters off, so I am looking forward to getting more fish porn. In a sled that means pulling over and getting out.

+1

+2

or the whole "round mouth" expression...looks really gay IMO. I don't understand that one.

Yep, there are some on this board that are apparently very proud of their fish-staring prowess.
Out-of-the-closet kind of proud with avatars and everything else

Ditto....

Keith

Sucks that the fish-staring thing is falling out of style.

It is the easiest way to ensure that you don't have your eyes shut in the picture.

I prefer looking at the fish...it's about the fish, not the angler.

Fish on...

Todd

+100000

The fish starers do stick together....gotta give 'em that

It's okay...Some people just don't care for the 3rd grade show and tell GnG's...

Generally speaking, the fish is much better looking than the fisherman...sometimes so much better looking that we should consider not even having the fisherman's head in the shot

Fish on...

Todd

OK, I admit that I have fish stared.....but it wasn't my fault.
It was the trigger-happy camera dude....I swear.

Interesting article.

http://forum.skagitmaster.com/index.php?topic=330.0

I can tell you photo editors much prefer the angler lookign at the fish.

That's a great article. I think the mortality is probably less for winter steelhead, given the lower water temps, but none the less, a great article.

I'm pleased that there has been so much discussion on this thread.

Here is my favorite way to photograph a fish that will be released.

Im working on a fake fin that you can add to the back of your fish, so you can take a lot of pictures, so you can feel like a man. Probably all hatchery fish anyway that have a pit tag.

I dont know what the big triumph is about taking pics of a wild fish. They are agressive as hell and you can feel the bite with a broom stick and a piece of beef jerkey. The egg cluster imitations in the 50's were nearly the size of a wine cork and tough as wood. They used dacron leader until the dark brown leader came out.

As usual, thanks for your useful and relevant contribution.

No, really...thanks.

Fish on...

Todd

Doesn't get any better than that !
Nice pic, Sebastes.