WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND RESIDENT UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY EXPERT JEFF GOODMAN

Winner: Gems of Southeast Asia // Thailand & Myanmar by Andreas G Fiskeseth

Winning Video:

Great month for entries where the art of story telling seems to be growing. The use of drone shots along with pre-dive sequences is also on the increase as affordable technology makes the hardware more accessible. But even with that extra technology the underwater sequences are of a very high standard and a joy to watch. This month, based simply on the camera work and editing, the winner is ‘Gems of Southeast Asia // Thailand & Myanmar’ by Andreas G Fiskeseth.

Even if you did not win the month, please do read my comments to other entries as there may be something there to help you with your own films.

The eyes of Komodo by Celine – Travel2Sea

Just read your written intro and yes indeed you are very lucky to be have been able to dive Komodo during Covid. Very jealous. Fabulous opening to your film. Love the mixture of above and below shots along with the drone footage and the music really set up the film well. The drone dolphins were excellent and loved the way you cut into the underwater. The whole film has a great feel to it with momentum and power. The camera work is spot on with sharp, steady, well framed and exposed images.

Mawar, the dugong of Alor by Celine – Travel2Sea

Excellent story and very well told. Lovely opening both visually and with sound, although I thought there were a few minor sound level issues throughout. All beautifully filmed and poignant thoughts from Pak Oneh. Having gone this far in making a thoughtful and environmental film could I suggest that it would have been good to know why the dugong was alone and it would have been very powerful to have heard Pak’s voice telling us why he does this.

Nounours, the Teddy bear who wanted to become a scuba diver! by Celine – Travel2Sea

That was fun and very well done. Loved the music.

Dive the Red Sea by David Gwyer

Hi David. Well done for putting this together. Lovely to hear the narrative. I did feel though that it was fighting the music track in places for both space and volume. Have a look at it again, keeping the music track on a slightly lower level.

Gems of Southeast Asia // Thailand & Myanmar by Andreas G Fiskeseth

Good powerful opening images cut well to a dramatic music track. Was the lady on the dock one of the Gems of Southeast Asia? Nice well filmed wildlife images with good camera work and lighting. Often when a dramatic sound track is used throughout a film, the images don’t always manage to be equally dramatic. But this was not the case with your film as you made it all work together to the end.

Branksome Beach by Jonathan Bailey

I’ve had the same conversation with people on the beach but more often than not it is with fishermen who want to know if there is anything worth catching. I always have to say ‘no, nothing out there mate’. Liked your introduction. Had a good feel to it which told a story. Nice to see so many UK species. The on screen written information worked really well and made the video far more interesting. The jellyfish and cuttlefish were fun.

Amongst the Critters 4k by Marcelo Johan Ogata

What a place! Very stylish drone shots and land based opening which established a perfect moody feel for the film. The underwater images are stunning and the music is perfect. Your camera work and lighting is exceptional. I love the slow steady camera moves with the great variety of shot sizes and angles.

Eckernförder Delphin (1) by Ulli Nilsson

Hi Ulli, what a fabulous encounter. Where was it? The shots of it playing with your hand on the surface are wonderful. Although the encounter itself is spectacular, for a fifteen minute film it would have been nice to have had a bit of background information on what is happening. Is the dolphin male or female, how old, why is it alone, is it a regular visitor and so on.

Delphin (2) by Ulli Nilsson

Hi again Ulli. Same comments as before really. Perhaps have a go at some editing just to shorten the film and concentrate on the highlights to make the film more powerful.

The Rockfish swim by Alison Smith

That was nice. One single developing shot with a curious fish. Perfect. No need for any editing and the short length of the film did not need any extra ingredients like music or narration.

The Melibe Leonina Family by Alison Smith

Same comments as with the Rockfish, except this time, as the subject was not so charismatic, perhaps a little music would have been worth considering.

Monterey bay – Monestary beach by Alison Smith

You have a very visual style and your videos are relaxing to watch. Did I recognise your favourite Rockfish?

Sharks and caves by Brandon Hannan

That was quite lovely. So simple yet extremely moving. I loved the brief glimpse of a moment in time of the shark. The music fitted perfectly. The image itself was well framed and exposed.

Eckernförder Delphin (3) by Ulli Nilsson

I applaud your enthusiasm for the encounter.

The May competition is now open for entries. You can enter up to three videos by clicking here.