Photography Tips - Would You Share Them?

[islandbass]

For the longest time, this has been something I have always wanted to learn. I know that there are a few avid photographers here and would like to ask them to share any tips or techniques with the rest of us "lay" folk to help us take better pics.

So many times, when I take pictures, like close ups of lures or gear, they are never ever captured as I see them with my eyes or when out fishing, how in the world can someone capture decent photos when fishing alone, with no one else to lend a helping hand? I really dislike that the best I can do short of having a tripod (which I don't have yet) is sticking the fish out at arm's length to take a photo. I am now reluctant laying them on the ground or dock, for their health.

I imagine that my fellow members wouldn't mind hearing these tips too. So basic questions:

How do we decide the best angle(s) from which to take pictures? How do you decide what background to use?

How would you best take pictures of fish you catch when you're solo?

What tips are there when taking close up of things like fish or gear?

Let us operate on assumption that most of us are most likley going to be using the typical automatic click and shoot basic digital cameras on the market today.

Thanks ahead of time!

-ib
Thanks ahead of time.