Winners - Underwater Videography Contests
May 2018 Video Contest Winner and Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND RESIDENT UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY EXPERT JEFF GOODMAN
Winner: Volcano Macro by Dean Spraakman
Winning Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=_2jzgKzJXk4
Only a few entries this month but all good and enjoyable films. I know well the investment of time it takes to make videos so it is always good to see entries. As each month passes, each film tells a story of either a journey or a location and gives a real feel for the fantastic places we are able to visit and enjoy our marine wildlife. Summer is on us now in the UK so for all of those who are not quite lucky enough to spend time abroad in tropical seas, don’t forget the rich diversity of life we have in our home waters. Have fun and good filming.
Let’s take a look at May’s entries:
Volcano Macro – Dean Spraakman
Watch Dean’s video here.
Lovely opening image with very good music and what an incredible selection of amazing critters to follow in the rest of the film. Good macro is not easy to achieve but you have done really well. Clean sharp and steady shots that were a pleasure to watch. The motion speed change for some of the animals has worked well. Lighting was good with some very creative and moody instances. Excellent. One thing I would have liked to have seen was a wide angle establishment shot or a short sequence of the underwater habitat where the critters were found.
Diving in Komodo Islands – Mervin T Thomas – The Adventure Studio
Watch Mervin’s video here.
Nice opening pre-dive sequence. Strange colour effect on the girl and people on the front of the boat thought. Was it deliberate? I can see why the trip could be life changing; what a superb place. I assume from the head title that you used the GoPro and I am guessing that you set the white balance on auto with the occasional use of a colour correction filter. This worked well most of the time but there were occasions where colour balance went adrift and became too red. If you aim to do more with the GoPro have a look at the Native (or RAW) settings and then correct colour values in editing. There are plenty of YouTube videos showing you how to do this. Overall though a relaxing film to watch.
Ocean Born – Lorenz Fischer
Watch Lorenz’s video here.
Hi Lorenz. Not sure what is happening with playback but I have attached a screen shot of what happens when I try to look at your video. The message I get across the screen is ‘Playback on other websites has been disabled by the video owner’. I have tried several times but no joy. Would you like to submit it again for June’s contest?
And the Winner is….
My favourite video this month was Volcano Macro by Dean Spraakman. A great macro film, Dean – congratulations, and please do enter future competitions; I would love to see more of your videos.
Even if you didn’t win this month, please do look at the other films and my comments on each. It may help you next time.
I look forward to your entries in June – good luck to you all.
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Scubaverse.com’s June 2018 Underwater Video Contest is now open! Enter as many as three of your underwater videos here.
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND RESIDENT UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY EXPERT JEFF GOODMAN
Winner:
Winning Video:
Hi everyone. Happy Christmas and New Year. Just four videos this month. I felt the Maria Bereozka film ‘Jingle Fish’ had the edge over the others by way of carefully executed shots and editing, which gave a good steady pace to the video.
Looking forward to more films next year.
If you are keen to advance in your film making skills, don’t forget to look at my book and/or take my RAID Action Camera course.
A love story by Ronald Faber
Synthetic voice – Really!!! Didn’t know there was such software in existence. Should have know better really. Nice video though. I don’t get many entries with David doing the narration. Good story and well shot with great steady camera work and lighting. The editing was spot on as was the music choice. The David voice did give it a certain quality that no matter how good or poor the film actually was, the audience automatically assume it has to be professional and thus top quality. It’s a clever trick but not sure I like it.
Jingle Fish by Maria Bereozka
Nice thoughts and excellent images with great quality. All works really well. The video has a real good feel to it and I love the diver/animal shots.
Fish Dance by Maria Bereozka
Ah Maria, Once again it is your narration that lifts the film by 100%. although your camera work is very good with steady well lit shots.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Dives! by Maria Bereozka
Not sure about this one. Didn’t quite work for me. It seemed to be a collection of loose shots put together to the music.
The January competition is now open for entries. You can enter up to three videos by clicking here.
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND RESIDENT UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY EXPERT JEFF GOODMAN
Winner: Sharkydelity by Fredi
Winning Video:
Such good films this month. It took me a while to decide on the winner. I had to watch them all twice. But in the end my choice was Sharkydelity by Fredi. You can seen my comments on this film as well as all the others below.
If you are keen to advance in your film making skills, don’t forget to look at my book https://www.divedup.com/shop/action-camera-underwater-video-basics-the-essential-guide-to-making-underwater-films/
Time to breath by Maria Bereozka
Yep! Love it. So relaxing to watch and I really feel a bond with Turtle. Good camerawork.
Sharkydelity by Fredi
Lovely written intro thanks. Adds so much to the actual film. It’s a great story and stunning images.
A perfect blend of aerial, land and underwater sequences. Your music choice was perfect as was your camera work and lighting which gave wonderful clear, steady, sharp, well exposed and beautiful framed images. I liked your creativity with the editing, especially where you made the most of the music phrases.
Point of view by Maria Bereozka
The written intro was obviously heart felt and moving. It is so good to set up a video in this way. Once again it is your narration combined with your artistic skills and imagination that make your videos so unique.
Underwater Red Sea paradise by Maria Bereozka
Nice feel to the video which was well complimented by the music. My only suggestion is that for general reef shots you try some way to hold the camera steady. It’s not so important with moving subjects like the ray but when there is just coral and background fish the camera must be as steady as possible.
Banda Sea, Seram Sea and Raja Ampat by Daniel French
Sounds like a fantastic trip from your write-up. The on-screen identification captions work really well. I like the slow motion throughout. The slow steady tracking shots and the slow animal movements. It creates a very peaceful feel and the music is perfect. Great camera work and lighting. I also like your camera angle perspective on subjects where you get below the animals.
Maldives Far North Expedition with MantaTrust by ondrejv
Good written intro thanks. I liked the personal on-screen introduction. Wonderful shots of the mantas. What amazing animals they are. Having gone this far though with the shooting and editing I would have loved to have had some information on what you learned about the Mantas especially as you were with the Manta Trust.
Calm Indian ocean by ondrejv
Stunning opening shot of the Sweetlips. Fabulously sharp and well lit. You have captured some excellent wildlife images and the music fits really well. Loved the turtle turning to look at you.
The December competition is now open for entries. You can enter up to three videos by clicking here.
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