'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' is a great film on fishing

Sometimes a poignant, humanist take on a movie about fish is all we need to recover from the barrage and trauma of too-many killer-fish movies like “The Shallows” or “Piranha 3D.” This 2011 comedy-drama is a breath of fresh air, something both fishing enthusiasts and film buffs will enjoy. 

Image source: anglersmail.co.uk

“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” is directed by Lasse Hallström, who previously helmed notable films like “Chocolat” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” It stars Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt, who undergo radical transformation in their lives and loves while aiding a wealthy sheik in setting up a fly-fishing project in Yemen. 

Based on a novel of the same title, the film offers a great plot that’s both funny and heartwarming. McGregor plays the role of the doubting fishery expert, while Blunt’s is that of the financial adviser who joins him in trying to accomplish the unfeasible and virtually impossible task of introducing fishing as a sport in the middle-eastern country. 

The film’s premise is as shot-in-the-dark as the way the narrative unfolded, but it works well both for the main characters and the ambitious fishing project. It ends optimistically, too, without things feeling forced or being unrealistic. 

But what’s most memorable about “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” is the keen attention to both the sport of fishing and its beauty. Fishing in the desert is a powerful metaphor that the movie manages to realize. Keep in mind though that it’s just that– a metaphor. Because there’s literally no salmon fishing industry in Yemen. 

Image source: telegraph.co.uk

Freelance photographer and graphic designer Ram Chary Everi is based in Boston and loves boats and fishing. Learn more about his hobbies by visiting his Facebookpage.

Portrait Photography: Finding The Flattering Angles

The best photographic portraits demand synergy between the photographer and the subject.The latter must know how to pose, while the former should have a good grasp of the camera angles that flatter the subject.

Image source: TechRadar.com

Moreover, amateur photographers don’t have Heidi Klum or Tyra Banks at their disposal.Usually, they see a photogenic person and ask them to pose.  Naturally, posing becomes a play-it-by-ear affair in this case.


So, before the start of any photo session with a subject who is a novice at posing, the photographer can brief them on poses.  He can have the subject leaf through a magazine with ideal poses and have the subject mimic these.


The interest of the photographer is in making the subject look good.He can achieve this by panning his camera at a higher angle for the slimming effect, or at a low angle to effect power and presence in the photo.  It’s up to the photographer to decide which photo appearance the shoot or the project demands.

Image source: TechRadar.com

Frontal poses might seem too awkward and staged.A quarter pose will definitely have a slimming and more relaxed effect if only to take the focus away from the neck.


Ultimately, it’s also about knowing the subject: How does he or she want to be portrayed in the photo?


Ram Chary Everi  here, freelance photographer and graphic artist.  Look me up on Twitter.