is back for a third year as a Sound Waters presenter. Coming back this year was an offer he could not refuse, since his parents, Jan and Pete Gross, are key organizers of the event.Gross has been diving since his undergraduate years at The Evergreen State College. His interest in the sea led him to obtain a degree in marine biology. He admits he is a fanatical diver, having slipped beneath the surface well over 1,000 times in the waters of Puget Sound, Washington and British Columbia. He is also passionate to share the diversity of colorful marine creatures he encounters. Many years after his first dive a friend loaned him a simple point-and-shoot camera in an underwater housing.
To his wife's dismay, that simple camera soon turned into a giant collection of diving gear and underwater camera gear, and he has spent the last 15 years exploring the marine water of Puget Sound Basin and British Columbia. Today he markets his underwater images on a commercial website. He has worked with National Geographic photographers, government agencies, corporations, nonprofits, educational institutions and private individuals. He has a permanent display of over 40 photos located in the new outpatient clinics at Children's Hospital in Seattle, as well as a show at the Seattle Aquarium.
Underwater photography is a daunting challenge, Gross points out. Water is a difficult medium through which to shoot, especially in the Pacific Northwest where 20 feet might be the maximum range of visibility on a good day. Because of a diver's face mask and regulator, the diver cannot hold the camera viewfinder close to the eye, so must learn to aim accurately by feel and practice. The best lighting for underwater photography is a hand-held strobe, positioned away from the camera so the light is coming from an angle that does not reflect back at the camera.
From experience Gross shares a wealth of tips for better photos. One of the most fundamental is to move slowly and let the fish approach you, rather than pursue the fish.
"Chasing fish is often fruitless," he says. "You end up neglecting your diving buddy, not paying attention to where you are, using more air and stirring up the bottom."
Sudden motions are counterproductive. "Control your breathing. Bubbles are noisy and not natural to a fish. Watch your fins. If you are not careful you will egg-beater the bottom while trying to get into position for the shot. The fish might hang around but you end up silting out your shot, not to mention possibly damaging other critters on the bottom."
See Jon's website for some amazing pictures.
