13 replies to this topic

[Michel Braunstein]

Hi all,
Jazon Isley from www.scubazoo.com has done some amazing and very funny shots of surreal scenes mixing underwater life and human figures. The results are really intersting see here: http://www.michelbra...eal-underwater/

[Balrog]

That's great work in which the humour belies the work that has gone into it.

[water buffalo]

Very clever! Thanks for sharing this.

[blaisedouros]

This is great work, and a nice fresh perspective on what we usually see in UW imaging.

[tdpriest]

Hang on a minute: there has been criticism for manipulating animals onto white backgrounds, but none (so far) for disturbing animals with plastic figures?

I find these images a bit annoying.

[browng]

Hang on a minute: there has been criticism for manipulating animals onto white backgrounds, but none (so far) for disturbing animals with plastic figures?

I find these images a bit annoying.

Tim

I like the shots, clearly a lot of thought has gone into creating the images.

It is great to see art photography underwater, but probably won't win any competitions because the judges won't appreciate the art or the humour.

But I can see this style appearing at the BSoUP Humorous Category in July!!

All the best

Gordon

[muppetcam]

Thanks for all the comments, I appreciate them all, even the negative comments - it's ok Tim the creatures weren't disturbed as the soldier's guns aren't real!
On a serious note (and without wanting to start a huge disturbing marinelife debate) I have been extremely careful with the marinelife when shooting these images as I knew I would receive the odd negative hypocrytical comment, every single underwater photographer disturbs the marinelife, whether it be blowing bubbles into schools of fish, flashing powerful strobes in the eyes of minute subjects, baiting sharks, shooting nautilus that have been brought up from the deep by fishermen, the list goes on and on. My placement of 8mm miniatures have mostly been on sand and when the creature is on the move I have tried to anticipate the direction, in Lembeh the blue-ring octopus crawled over a plastic flip-flop, a mug, dodged a floating nappy and then crawled over a plastic lighter so my little minaitures were nothing compared to its usual plastic obstical course.

The images are being re-posted and don't generally have the text and explanation behind the series which I included in the original article, I started this project a year ago and wanted to create images that would reach the general public and could also be used for educational purposes, especially for children as they would seem like fun pictures - the men repairing the tunnel explain exactly what the shrimp is doing for the goby etc. The next series of images I have planned will be more environmental, miniatures clearing plastic, fishing nets and garbage from the seabed, I already have the garbage truck, dump truck etc, just need to get underwater.

If you haven't seen the entire series they can be seen here;
They actually follow a surreal theme of people living underwater, first the creatures attack, miniatures fight back and then they all live in harmony. Bizarre I know and yes maybe I have lost the plot!
Jason

[DamonA]

I think it's time you stopped playing Sims, I like the date palm scene the best

[Aquapaul]

Fantastic, very original and creative...

[jmauricio]

I think its pretty creative, especially with the theme. Well done, I'm sure it took a lot of patience to execute.

It does not appear that any wildlife had to be handled or taken out of their natural habitat in order to make the images. I think this is a key criteria for criticism.

[derway]

I love them.  Especially "tickets please"!

[Steve Williams]

Didn't know quite what to make of it at first. After looking at the entire set I love them. The knowledge of the critters involved and the patience needed to get the images is just amazing. To quote Dr Suess,

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living”

Cheers,
Steve

[muppetcam]

. To quote Dr Suess,

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living”

Cheers,
Steve

Thanks Steve, I think you have just given me the quote I needed for the book!

[CheungyDiver]

Hey Jason

"bring out the Midgets....." LOL