Camera Angles

[Phil Lilley]

Which fish is longer?

Screen shot from my GoPro.  Same angle but 2 different rainbows.

The one on the right was caught first.  I guessed the length at less than 20 inches... may be 19.  The one of the left was caught later.  It was for sure well over 20 inches, I guessed 22 inches.

I was surprised when I saw the video and took the screenshot - how much they look the same.  The one of the right actually looks a little bigger but they weren't really that close.  The left one was a beast!

[trythisonemv]

Same fish right?

[Nick Adams]

Your arms are at different angles. The one on the right it closer to the camera and that makes it look bigger.

[Phil Lilley]

Different fish. 

I thought I was in the same spot each time. I don’t usually hold a fish over the boat rim in case I drop it but maybe not. 

[Nick Adams]

On the left, it looks like your arm is straight, elbow locked. On the right it looks like the elbow is slightly bent. Just my .02. Regardless, great fish. I'm jealous.

[JestersHK]

It's crazy how the angle can make a big fish look small and a small fish look big... on a board is about the only way to tell for sure. 

[fshndoug]

I have seen fish that someone is holding looking like an IGFA record. All in the way you hold the fish and the camera. Nice fish Phil ,I thought they were the same fish but the color is a bit different.

[tjm]

I saw the same thing @Nick Adams did, arm position, but if you hadn't said the fish on the left was bigger I would not have noticed the arm shift.

[Phil Lilley]

Ah... so I brought the fish on the right in closer to the camera.  I see.  Just a little bit made a big difference.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Light and twist of the wrist come into the equation as well.  Many YouTube videos have thumbnail images that are deceptive in this fashion.