Winners - Underwater Videography Contests
September 2015 Video Contest Winner And Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY EDITOR JEFF GOODMAN
Winner: ‘A little jelly’ by Mark Milburn
Winning Video:
Three very good entries this month and each of them very different. As usual it was quite hard to pick a winner. Richard’s video on the Thistlegorm certainly captured the mood and dramatic presence of this classic wreck while the Steller Sea Lion video from Kiril took us into a world of underwater vibrancy and energy with lovely camera work, editing and story creation. This was without doubt the best crafted film. But in the end it was Mark’s simple observation of the Barrel Jellyfish that won the day. As well as being well shot, it clearly showed that underwater videos, especially those featuring wildlife, do not have to be complicated – and given a little time and effort, every marine creature can produce a little bit of magic for the camera.
‘Diving the mighty SS Thistlegorm‘ by Richard Stevens
Nice one Richard. Your video certainly gave a good feel of the wreck and made me want to dive it again. Loved the ray in the cargo hold which was well lit and sharp and the colour of the ray certainly stood out from the background. Nice image mix too into the next shot. A few moments later you caught it feeding but for some reason never made more of that. All in all though a great video with good framing and lighting.
‘Diving with Steller Sea Lions‘ by Kiril Ivanov
Great intro which builds up to the main story. I have dived with the Stellers quite a few times and know how big and intimitating they can be. Well done for combining very good surface video as well. Excellent steady camera work with good framing, sharp images and nice occasional use of slow motion. Good choice of music too. The lenth of the video for me was perfect. It is always a temptaion when one has such charismatic animals to produce a video that goes on and on. Big mistake. Three and a half minutes is plenty, unless there is a narration and the story becomes more involved. A real joy to watch.
‘A little Jelly‘ by Mark Milburn
This short video was totally enthralling. It simply showed us the grace and beauty of a marine animal that many people may be reluctant to approach. With perfect music choice the video kept my full attention from beginning to end. It does go to show that you do not need to travel to the ends of the earth to see fantastic marine life. Good, sharp, steady images. The shots were not at all complicated, but simply framed allowing the jellyfish to do all the work of capturing the audience.
So congratulations to Mark for being this month’s winner!
Scubaverse.com’s October 2015 Video Contest is now open – enter 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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