Part 1 of Essay
Since the development of the Aqualung by Jacques Cousteau and Emil Gagnan in 1943, we have been able to stay underwater safely and comfortably for extended periods of time. This amazing technological breakthrough allows us to discover, explore, and photograph the wonders of the underwater world. It was one of the first c ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... The underwater world also appeals to photographers because its natural state seems so foreign to ours. In part, this reflects tremendous differences between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Land environments are dominated by plant life, while the underwater environments are dominated by animal species. When we describe land environments, we refer to grasslands, redwood forests, and oak tree groves. When we describe underwater environments, we refer to coral reefs, oyster flats, and mussel beds. In add ....