The Lens Of The Fisherman

I am intrigued by photography. I enjoy snapping that picture that will capture the memory in my mind's eye forever. But alas I am far from anything other than a rank amateur. But I really think I have an eye for photographic talent, and when it comes to talent, Isaac Szabo's work rises to the top like cream.

It was this picture of a Redeye Bass (Micropterus coosae) that first caught my eye. I had to know if it was a photo or a painting. The image so crisp, the colors so sharp- the likes of which i have never seen underwater except for on the reefs of Key West. The

second thing that caught my eye was the name- Szabo. Having spent a lot of time in Hungary, I knew this name to be as common there as Smith is here. So I immediately had to know- how does a photographer of Hungarian decent capture such an image?

Isaac Szabo was born and raised in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas where he spent much of his youth developing a passion for the outdoor life. Turns out photography was in his blood as his mother, Rita, was also a talented photographer. At her skirt hem Isaac learned the fundamental concepts of photography long before he ever owned a camera.

But once a young photographer gets his first camera he just doesn't "dive in" to the first lake he sees and snap away. His fascination for the life aquatic led him to purchase an aquarium, filling it with small fish from local Ozark streams. Adventures with his dip net introduced him to a diversity of forms, colors, and behaviors of small non-game fish that he never knew existed. It ignited a passion for native fishes that led to a college major in biology. Photographer, conservationist, biologist- the combination created a desire to draw attention to the often imperiled ecosystems he had grown to love.

But Szabo's pictures are more than just your run of the mill underwater photography.He

has been converting digital cameras professionally for more than 6 years to capture infrared images. He has developed specialized knowledge and experience that allows him to employ conversion techniques of the very highest quality. The image of the male Red Eye guarding his nest in Tennessee's Conasauga River captures the full essence of a dedicated father never abandoning his young. The colors Szabo captured

are so impressive – especially the metallic blue pelvic fins which contrast nicely with the orange and red on other parts of the body.

To enjoy and perhaps purchase Isaac's work,or to learn how you can have your cameria converted to take infrared images, visit http://www.isaacszabo.com.