Beauty! The light is perfect!

I really like this as well, and like you, I find it hard to articulate why. I am an unabashed narrow DOF junkie, so maybe that is it; as well as the nice light and soft tones.

No negatives about this shot Dave... I just love the pink and blue and as they say ... 'great DOF'. See, even I'm learning the jargon...

Very nice!

Brilliant composed with this light. Gives awesome tones and DOF. Interesting detail of a boat.

I was going to say how I reelly liked this but then I saw the title! Oh well I won't debait the merits of this one - sorry but you started it ;-D

brilliant light, and I know what you mean-- it's hard to pinpoint what sets this one apart. just brilliant,

cheers

wow! nicely done ... would make a nice ad !

Yeah...this is more like it Dave. I know exactly what you mean about not being able to pinpoint it. For me, sometimes, it's simply the subject that trips me up on that.
This works for a number of reasons though I think. The colours complement, the detail of the complexity of such a simple tool works well (it's a stick with some wire to catch a fish with, right!) and the whole focus is all great. However, what works most for it - for me anyway - is that it follows yesterday's shot, which set the scene.
So then...ok....your site *may not* have lost its appeal for me just yet ;)

BA DA BING! this is awesome Dave, as for pinpointing it's appeal, i think it's just another one of those things you wouldn't normally take much notice of, but takes its photo and bingo! it's suddenly amazing.

Oh and btw...I think all the people that constantly post "Awesome!", "Brilliant!", and "Wow...fantastic!"...no matter waht the shot is.

I think you should block those people. They're really annoying morons ;) Again...well done with the last 2, don't lose track of it all :)

Simple & powerful!

Nice shallow DOF.

I like it too, although I cant exactly say why. Perhaps it's the title, which to a word junkie like me is a perfect companion to the picture itself :-)

Great shot, lovely.

This should be a boring shot, but you've managed to make it stunning. The color, the dof, the detail, it's wonderful.

Nice shot. Did you buy a Canon 1Ds Mark II?

Yes, all of the above...and I'm not even a fishing person. I think what makes the shot is the DOF and the fact that the pinpoint sharpness of the shot (focus point) is on the gadget with the metal hook/spring holding the line with the loop attached. This gives the otherwise static shot a sense of coiled potential--tension. So there's a strong sense of "potential" motion. Very nice.

Love the picture, but what is DOF?

I like it for the shiny, mechanical tension PJ noted. It would make a nice print for the sportfishing-inclined.

Its a fascinating photo David.
I think its a cross between the DOF & the fact that you just don't expect it :)

BTW, isn't it time your tutorial was updated? It ain't August no more :p

Thanks all.

Jennifer: :-)

Mark: I'll keep an eye out for the morons, but haven't seen any of them yet :-)

Gidi: I'm aiming to release each new tutorial some time around the middle of each month, so no, it's not ;-)

Wow, Awesome, Brilliant, Fantastic.......Great shot........;)
No seriously, actually this and the natural black and white pose from a few shots ago are in my opinion the best of the ones you've posted. Keep them coming, Although I don't comment often I've always got my eye on you!

See, its these kinds of photos that got me looking at your site in the first place.....love it. Clear, simple, and sharp.

Beautiful Contrast and Colours here. Great shot.