March 2015 Video Contest Winner And Review

Winner Chosen And Review By Scubaverse.com’s Underwater Videography Editor Jeff Goodman

Winner: ‘Fate’ by Milorad Djuknic

Videolink: http://www.scubaverse.com/?contestants=fate

Thanks to all who entered. The standard was good and I enjoyed watching all the entries. I have made a few comments for each film, not as a criticism but in the hope of encouragement.

I viewed each film twice and made my overall judgement on several factors. Content, image sharpness, colour continuity, lighting, framing, exposure, music and narration. The length of any video is also an important factor as even the best made film can become boring if it is too long.

Making good underwater videos is by no means as easy as it looks. It does take time and patience. Having said that, there are occasions when you can simply jump in the water with a point and shoot camera nest to a charismatic animal like a turtle or dolphin and no matter what you shoot it’s probably going to look good. Remember, you don’t need expensive cameras to make good underwater videos.

Here are my comments for each film – do read through them if you have time, as they may well help you to think more on how you shoot.

Diving with Seals – Atlantic Scuba

Really nice film with great images of seals interacting with divers. Nicely exposed, good colour balance, sharp and well framed. Also good transitions. Really shows of some of the magic of diving and sharing the underwater environment with other species.

At 7.5 minutes I did feel it was a bit too long and would have cut it down to 3-4 minutes with a hint of music to enhance the mood.

Cornish Sharks and Rays – Atlantic Scuba

Good fun using the Big Screen template for the opening and end credits. Music works well but I felt the images were just a bit too disjointed and short. But maybe I am missing the point.

Toucan Dive – Bonaire

Lovely images but far to long at 20 minutes. Perfect length for background video in a shop or waiting room, but without dramatic action interludes and some form of commentary it doesn’t quite work. The saying ‘less is more’ is a truism.

Mermaid Freediving in Sheffield

Enjoyed this. So simple and very effective. Good variety of image sizes and perspectives. Sharp. Good colour and well exposed. Music – perfect.

Fate – Bora Bora

Nice to see some additional thought and planning going into a video. The dramatic opening with music and narration makes you want to see more. Well edited to keep the pace going with dramatic action. Interesting and informative script fosters a personal association with the film’s characters.

Noise – Bora Bora

Interesting concept. Makes me realise why I like to get underwater. Well shot and editied with good sound. A minute or two shorter would have done the same job.

Scuba diving in Cornwall – Atlantic Scuba

Certainly short. A little music would have helped a lot.

Tobago – A day in the Life

Nice film but as with so many others it is a bit too long. Think of your audience and who they may be. Families and friends will love to watch forever but others may not be quite so keen. Well shot and edited but perhaps look into underwater lighting if you can.

Inside the Zenobia

Good start to the video invoking a sense of mood and mystery. The music and images worked well together. But… as with so many films, it is too long. If the story had developed in some way then a longer film could have worked well. On the next wreck dive, try to think about how you are going to edit while you are actually filming. Look for those dramatic bits of wreckage that stand out. Looking forward to seeing the next one.

Manatees – Roveal

When you have such a good encounter with such a wonderful animal then simplicity is the best option for fiming and editing. Let the animal do the work for you, which is exactly what you did.
Nice music too.

And The Winner Is…

As with all competitions, there has to be a winner (but no losers). On this occasion there is one clear winner for me: FATE. This film was well planned, shot and edited, but most of all benefited greatly by its sensitive and informative narration. Congratulations.

I look forward to seeing next month’s entries, so please keep sending them in.