First Catch
by Fitzie

Comment by ubique:
Greetings from the Critique Club!
Well, it may be a candid (see below), but it's a 'posed' candid, so that makes it a portrait too, as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, it's your first submission here, so who cares about semantics? It is certainly more than just a 'snapshot', and has some quite impressive elements to it. The most important of these is the fact that you have really captured the wonderful ambivalence of this moment ... he's clearly proud of the fish but remains unprepared to abandon his misgivings about handling it! All of us who've ever caught a fish at his age remember that moment and that feeling so well. And your image is technically proficient; lighting, focus, and all that guff ... it has a pleasing natural feel to it. The pattern of the shadows actually adds to the impact, in my view. It directs our attention to the gloved fish. As for the cluster of legs in the top right corner, yes they may be a distraction, but if the cost of recomposing to exclude them was to miss the honest emotion of this once-in-a-lifetime moment (for the boy), then you made the right choice ... the photographer's choice ... carpe diem!
Best wishes,
Paul Martin

First Catch
by Fitzie

Comment by Fitzie:
Thanks for you comments and votes it was a very enjoyable and informative first challenge.

First Catch
by Fitzie

Comment by GeneralE:
But, you should have seen the one that got away!

First Catch
by Fitzie

Comment by armelle:
Great capture! no pun intended :) I love his expression and the fish tells a story and adds depth to the image! The background is a bit distracting, not so much the shadows but the top part of it. Perhaps a tighter crop both on top and on the right side? well done. good lighting on his face!

First Catch
by Fitzie

Comment by Tammer:
Awww, good for him. Nice keepsake photo.

First Catch
by Fitzie

Comment by Elaine:
Get down so you are at his level. He doesn't look very happy about his catch...

First Catch
by Fitzie

Comment by madison461:
What a cutie! I think this is more a candid than a portrait.

First Catch
by Fitzie

Comment by RobotBanjo:
Aaawe, what a cute little kid :-) Great candid!

First Catch
by Fitzie

Comment by AzCKelly:
Awww... That is just adorable. Love his expression and the lighting works well. Good job!

First Catch
by Fitzie

Comment by ShannonLee:
to me this says snapshot, not portait