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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.
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Jake Davies boards Ghazala Explorer for an unforgettable Red Sea diving experience…
Overnight, the wind picked up, making the planned morning dive a bit bumpy on the Zodiacs to the drop point on Thomas Reef. There, we would dive along the reef before descending through the canyon and then passing under the arch before ascending the wall with a gentle drift. The site provided great encounters with more pelagic species, including shoals of large barracuda, tuna, and bigeye trevally.
Once back on the boat, it was time to get everything tied down again as we would head back south. This time, with the wind behind us, heading to Ras Mohammed to dive Jackfish Alley for another great gentle drift wall dive before then heading up the coast towards the Gulf of Suez to moor up at the wreck of the Thistlegorm. This being the highlight wreck dive of the trip and for many onboard, including myself, it was the first time diving this iconic wreck. I had heard so much about the wreck from friends, and globally, this is a must on any diver’s list. Fortunately for us, there was only one other boat at the site, which was a rarity. A great briefing was delivered by Ahmed, who provided a detailed background about the wreck’s history along with all the required safety information as the currents and visibility at the site can be variable.
Kitting up, there was a lot of excitement on deck before entering the water and heading down the shoreline. Descending to the wreck, there was a light northerly current which reduced the visibility, making it feel more like the conditions that can be found off the Welsh coast. At 10m from the bottom, the outline of the wreck appeared as we reached the area of the wreck which had been bombed, as our mooring line was attached to part of the propeller shaft. Arriving on deck, instantly everywhere you looked there were many of the supplies which the ship was carrying, including Bren Carrier tanks and projectiles that instantly stood out.
We headed around the exterior, taking a look at the large propeller and guns mounted on deck before entering the wreck on the port side to take a look in the holds. It was incredible to see all the trucks, Norton 16H, and BSA motorcycles still perfectly stacked within, providing a real snapshot in time.
Overall, we had four dives on the Thistlegorm, where for all of the dives we were the only group in the water, and at times, there were just three of us on the whole wreck, which made it even more special, especially knowing that most days the wreck has hundreds of divers. Along with the history of the wreck, there was plenty of marine life on the wreck and around, from big green turtles to batfish, along with shoals of mackerel being hunted by trevally. Some unforgettable dives.
The final leg of the trip saw us cross back over the Suez Canal to the Gobal Islands where we planned to stay the night and do three dives at the Dolphin House for the potential of sharing the dive with dolphins. The site, which included a channel that was teeming with reef fish, especially large numbers of goatfish that swam in large shoals along the edge of the reef. These were nice relaxing dives to end the week. Unfortunately, the dolphins didn’t show up, which was okay as like all marine life they are difficult to predict and you can’t guarantee what’s going to be seen. With the last dive complete, we headed back to port for the final night where it was time to clean all the kit and pack before the departure flight the next day.
The whole week from start to finish on Ghazala Explorer was amazing; the boat had all the facilities you need for a comfortable week aboard. The crew were always there to help throughout the day and the chefs providing top quality food which was required after every dive. The itinerary providing some of the best diving with a nice mixture of wreck and reef dives. I would recommend the trip to anyone, whether it’s your first Red Sea liveaboard in the Red Sea or you’re revisiting. Hopefully, it’s not too long before I head back to explore more of the Red Sea onboard Ghazala Explorer.
To find out more about the Northern Red Sea reef and wrecks itineraries aboard Ghazala Explorer, or to book, contact Scuba Travel now:
Email: dive@scubatravel.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 411590
Photos: Jake Davies / Avalon.Red
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