Winners - Underwater Videography Contests
March 2016 Video Contest Winner And Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY EDITOR JEFF GOODMAN
Winner: Klemens Gann
Winning Video:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/nightdive/132924391
Another month over. Where does time go? Thanks to all who entered the video competition and well done for all the obvious hard work put into each film. I have commented on each video below so please do read my thoughts on them to help give you ideas for your next production. With spring and summer fast approaching, I wish you all happy diving and look forward to seeing more videos.
Nightvision, a magical night dive – Klemens Gann
Watch Klemen’s video here.
Interesting images. At first I thought an ultraviolet light was being used to create the colour but as the video went on it just looked like a green cast. This certainly gave a ghostly quality to the video which was enhanced by the music and slow speed of the action in the shots. All quite surreal and moody. Reminded me slightly of a dream sequence in a martial arts movie. I would love to know what you did to get the green cast and perhaps a note to say what it was you were trying to achieve.
Shark Life – Sea Chinn
Watch Sean’s video here.
Wonderful sharks on what must have been a very exciting dive. Right from the start though I did find the music a bit to heavy for the tranquillity shown in the images. The lyrics fitted well but the tempo was fighting the feel of the pictures. The shots of the sharks in amongst the divers were terrific, well exposed and framed. Then came the manatee which were all nicely shot and I loved the rolling. But once again the music was to heavy and detracted from from images. And then back to sharks………
While it was all well shot, try to think more about the whole presentation. Choosing suitable music to enhance the images, having some sort of theme if possible to make a story, consider adding some facts about the images either in narration or graphics.
Finding Nemo – Tony Reed
Watch Tony’s video here.
Great story opening to the film which took us to the Nemo dive tank in Brussels. This was then followed by a some nice underwater shots in the facility and just as I was getting settled into the video…… it ended. Have a think about a re-edit where I would suggest adding more of the underwater experience you had and then finishing the film back on the surface on the way home (just to make a more rounded video for the viewers). The very last shot was good though.
Diving Raja Ampat – Matthias Lebo
Watch Matthias’ video here.
Hi Matt. Another great film from you but I think it’s time to move on a bit now from the simple catalogue of nice images that I’ve just watched. How about a bit of a story, perhaps a few behavioural sequences rather than basic snapshots. No matter how beautiful images are, at some point they can become a little boring without a little extra something to keep them alive in the audiences mind. As always your videoing was superb with steady and sharp images, all well exposed and framed.
Cave Diving at Isla Alamo, Tulum – Mexico – Tom St George
From the title alone I was looking forward to watching this Tom, but sadly all I got was the following message: ‘Oops! The embedded code for this video is not valid’. Try to upload again for April’s competition if you can. (If you have trouble Tom, let me know and I will guide you through the process. Dave, Editor)
This month the winner is Night vision, a magical night dive by Klemens Gann who tried to do something different and succeeded. The music fitted well with the images which were intriguing. Well done Klemens!
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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