Whole Fish Out of Water (not cooked fish)

Imagine a fish monger in the middle of a near desert. Although there are lakes and rivers in Iraqi Kurdistan, clearly none are nearby. The fish hanging conveniently on a pole jutting out into the road - this vendors version of a drive-through? He's casually smoking a cigarette waiting, hoping, for a customer. There's a town in the background. Why didn't he set up there? Thanks for entering this and congratulations on first.

To be honest, I had a tough time with the fish market entries of which there were a lot. Do you go for just the fish or a broader view? I went with a broader view and picked this one. There is a large selection of fish nicely displayed and there's that interesting background detail of the fishmongers eating (breakfast? of fish?). Thank for entering and congratulations.

Great photo of fisherman with his haul taking it back for sale (I see several tuna). This is not a sport fisherman, but a man who makes his living from catching and selling fish. Small technical note: I would have photoshopped out the background boys and surf boards. Otherwise, a great photo. Thanks for entering and congratulations.

There were a lot of entries of people holding their catch. This really stood out. The fish is perfectly held - note the thumb pulling the spiny dorsal fin forward. The hand gives scale to the fish. Color and sharpness are crisp. And the blurred green background of the pond and trees lets us know where the fish was caught and how its coloration suits its environment. Well done. Thanks for entering and congratulations.

A great presentation. A grey fish on a bed of lemon slices! The yellow of the lemon helps the greys of the fish pop out. We can't read anything into the scowl and almost furrowed brow of the fish. But a small detail that adds to the overall scene. Kudos to the photographer for slicing and perfectly placing all those lemons. Thanks for entering and congratulations.

A very simple photo capturing the joy of a child catching their first fish. Hoping that this is framed and in your granddaughter's bedroom and on a mantle or a side table somewhere in your house. A moment to be remembered and cherished in later years by you both. Thanks for entering and congratulations.

A rather waggish and audacious submission. I love it. A photographer having fun and taking a risk with their submission, something not seen that often in these contests. Use of B/W with spot color really works. There were a lot of entries of people holding their catch, but you landed this one. Thanks for entering and congratulations.

I'm not certain what these are made from. Almost looks like pressed foil that is then painted. No two are alike, clearly hand made. Sardines swim in schools and so these are. And this entry showed some "out of the water" thinking. Thanks for entering and congratulations.

There were lots of entries of animals, mostly birds and some bears, with fish. This was the best of them all. First, who knew that foxes eat fish? I didn't. But this is the arctic in winter. Composition is great (can hardly go wrong with rule of thirds). A very minimalist photo. I like that the tails are parallel and there's that spot of blood on fish's head. Thanks for entering and congratulations.