Photo / Video News & Reviews
Scubaverse Underwater Photographer Interview: Jason Isley
In an ongoing series, Scubaverse.com’s Underwater Photography Editors Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown talk to underwater photographers from around the world that they admire.
This week’s interview is with Sabah-based underwater photographer Jason Isley.
I’m originally from the UK but have now lived in Sabah for 20 years, happily married with a 2 week old daughter which I’m sure will be the reason to reduce my many trips away exploring the underwater world. I grew up in the UK with a keen interest in the natural world, always over the marshes or woods bird watching when I was young and whenever my parents took us on holiday abroad we would spend many hours snorkeling or exploring the rock pools – catching weird little creatures and keeping them in jam jars.
I’m an old photographer! One of the people that rabbits on about the film days and only having 36 exposures to play with on a single dive!
N/C: How did your underwater photography start?
JI: I learnt to dive in Australia and immediately had a job on one of the many dive boats. I tried a few pics with a disposable underwater camera but it wasn’t until I moved to Sipadan to help create Scubazoo that I tried photography more seriously. My job was filming guests every single day diving Sipadan and one day a guest offered his NikV to play with during my fun dives. I loaded the film and went for a dive and as soon as the film was processed I was immediately hooked. It was so challenging, unlike the filming which had become so repetitive. I loved that challenge of capturing a story in a single frame.
N/C: What is your favourite u/w camera equipment (past & present) & Why?
JI: Even though it didn’t belong to me I loved that NikV with the 15mm lens, the sharpness was amazing. I’m currently using Nikon D800 in Nauticam housings and I would have to say I have no plans for trading them in. The Nauticam housing has really taken over the housing market, and for good reason – and what I like about the company is that they listen to your feedback and are always trying to improve rather than just brush you off.
N/C: What would be your advice to anyone new to underwater photography?
JI: Buy two books (Underwater Photography by Martin Edge & Underwater Masterclass by Alex Mustard) and go on a trip with a good recognised pro – that will increase the speed of your knowledge and technique. Then, when you have the basics under control, try and find your own style; and don’t just follow underwater photographers, look at topside photographers and artists to get inspiration. There is now far too much repetition in underwater photography – the same images are constantly being uploaded online again and again, so try to think outside the box.
N/C: What, or who, has been your single biggest inspiration for your underwater photography?
JI: David Doubilet. I know many people quote his name, but his book Water, Light, Time is probably the best ever underwater photography book. I love the fact people are ‘creating’ new techniques in underwater photography and yet they all already exist in that book!
N/C: If you could photograph any one thing/place what or where would that be & Why?
JI: It may sound corny but I can’t wait to show my new daughter the underwater world when she is old enough. Photographing her amongst the big schools of fish and next to the turtles at Sipadan will be an incredible experience. I just hope there are still plenty of great dive locations left by the time she is old enough to dive!
Jason has recently published a book called Small Blue World and you can read a review about it here.
An emotive photograph showing a freediver examining the aftermath of whaling sees
Alex Dawson from Sweden named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024. Dawson’s
photograph ‘Whale Bones’ triumphed over 6500 underwater pictures entered by underwater
photographers from around the world.
“Whale Bones was photographed in the toughest conditions,” explains chair of judging
panel Alex Mustard, “as a breath-hold diver descends below the Greenland ice sheet to bear
witness to the carcasses. The composition invites us to consider our impact on the great
creatures of this planet. Since the rise of humans, wild animals have declined by 85%. Today,
just 4% of mammals are wildlife, the remaining 96% are humans and our livestock. Our way
needs to change to find a balance with nature.”
Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero
Whales dominated the winning pictures this year with Spanish photographer Rafael
Fernandez Caballero winning two categories with his revealing photos of these ocean giants:
a close up of a grey whale’s eye and an action shot of a Bryde’s whale engulfing an entire bait
ball, both taken in Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico. Fernandez Caballero took ‘Grey
Whale Connection’ while drifting in a small boat, holding his camera over the side in the water
to photograph the curious whale. ‘The End Of A Baitball’ required Fernandez Caballero to dive
down and be in exactly the right place at the moment the whale lunged. “The photo shows
the high speed attack,” he said, “with the whale engulfing hundreds of kilograms of sardines
in one bite — simply unforgettable to see predation on such a scale.”
Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero
Lisa Stengel from the United States was named Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image of a mahi-mahi catching a sardine, in Mexico. Stengel used both a very fast shutter speed and her hearing to catch the moment. “If you listen there’s an enormous amount of sound in the ocean,” she explained. “The action was too fast to see, so I honed in on the sound of the attacks with my camera to capture this special moment.”
“It is such an exciting time in underwater photography because photographers are capturing such amazing new images, by visiting new locations and using the latest cameras,”
commented judge Alex Mustard. “Until this year I’d hardly ever see a photo of a mahi mahi,
now Lisa has photographed one hunting, action that plays out in the blink of an eye.”
The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest is based in the UK, and Jenny Stock,
was named as British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image “Star
Attraction”, which finds beauty in species of British wildlife that are often overlooked.
Exploring the west coast of Scotland, Stock explained “in the dark green depths my torch
picked out the vivid colours of a living carpet of thousands of brittle stars, each with a
different pattern. I was happily snapping away, when I spotted this purple sea urchin and I
got really excited.”
Photo: Jenny Stock
In the same contest, Portuguese photographer, Nuno Sá, was named ‘Save Our Seas
Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024, with his photo ‘Saving
Goliath’, taken in Portugal. Sá’s photo shows beachgoers trying to save a stranded sperm
whale. The picture gives us hope that people do care and want to help the oceans, but also
warns us that bigger changes are needed. “The whale had been struck by a ship and its fate
was sealed,” explains Sá. “An estimated 20,000 whales are killed every year, and many more
injured, after being struck by ships-and few people even realise that it happens.”
Photo: Nuno Sá
More winning images can be found at www.underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com.
About Underwater Photographer of the Year
Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition, based in the UK, that celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, and attracts entries from all around the world. The contest has 13 categories, testing photographers with themes such as Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck photography, as well as four categories for photos taken specifically in British waters. The winners were announced in an award ceremony in Mayfair, London, hosted by The Crown Estate. This year’s UPY judges were experienced underwater photographers Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich and Dr Alexander Mustard MBE.
Header image: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 winner Alex Dawson
The winners of the prestigious World Shootout 2023 underwater photography competition were announced at this year’s BOOT Show, captivating audiences at the world’s largest diving and water sports exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany. Hundreds of photographers from 54 countries competed across nine categories, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technical skill.
Grand Prize Winners
- Picture of the Year: Spanish photographer Eduardo Acevedo “secured” the top Honor with the prestigious prize the “boot Dusseldorf Director’s Prize, earning an Andromeda statuette and a €2,000 cash prize.
- Best 5 Images Portfolio: Luc Rooman from Belgium triumphed in this category, winning a dream 4-week diving trip for two to Papua New Guinea, valued at $18,900.
- Amateur Photographer: Alexandra Ceurvorst from the USA impressed the judges with her talent, taking home the 1,000 € cash prize award.
Celebrating Diversity and Innovation
This year’s competition saw 11,680 entries from 964 photographers, showcasing a remarkable spectrum of skills and perspectives. From the intricate wonders of Macro photography to the beauty of “Black Water”, the “Underwater Fashion” category added a touch of artistry and innovation, while the ever-important ” Environmental & Conservation” category served as a powerful reminder of the need to protect these fragile ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: AI and Ocean Conservation
World Shootout founder and producer David Pilosof unveiled an exciting addition for the 2024 competition: this year the Environmental category will be focusing on the impact of plastic on our oceans and future.
This category will embrace the potential of AI or other editing software as a tool to amplify the conservation message.
Entrants will submit campaigns of three original underwater photographs dealing with plastic pollution, along with their final AI assistance processing. This innovative approach encourages artistic expression while raising awareness about a critical environmental issue.
Explore the Stunning Collection
Discover the complete album of competition entries by clicking here.
For Low-resolution photos of finalist entries in eight categories, click here.
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