Winners - Underwater Videography Contests
March 2019 Video Contest Winner and Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND RESIDENT UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY EXPERT JEFF GOODMAN
Winner: Critters of the Muck by Dean Spraakman
Winning Video:
Four good films this month. A good contrast in subjects as well as film makers abilities and experience. Generally even if the more highly polished film wins, it should and does not detract in any way from the others. Making videos is not easy and making good ones is not easy at all. Patience, perseverance, knowledge, skill and of course luck are all needed and all of these are only gained by time and effort. If you didn’t win this month it in no way reflects on your skills as a film maker. It’s just that someone else’s was that bit better. In all this rambling I guess I am trying to say keep videoing and keep sending in your entries and most of all enjoy.
Let’s take a look at this month’s entries:
Free Convicts by Elsa Collet
Watch Elsa’s video here.
Hi Elsa. First thing to say is that your film was really nice and easy to watch. The images were sharp, steady and well exposed. Framing was also good and the music fitted well. You covered the shoal fully with wide angles, mid shots and close ups. You made good use of slow motion in the edit which gave the audience time to enjoy the spectacle.
For a short film you ticked most if not all of the boxes. If you wanted to make the film more informative you could have added a descriptive title and perhaps some narration to tell why and what the fish were doing. Was this a typical sight or a special event? Short musical/visual videos are pleasant to watch but unless what’s happening on the screen is spectacular then it is often better to go for the fuller informative product where you could talk about behaviour or conservation. Hope this helps.
Ambon scorpionfish vs Skeleton shrimps by Jack Pokoj
Watch Jack’s video here.
Hi Jack. Interesting shot but there were a few focus issues. It is often difficult to get images crisp and sharp when doing close ups or macro, especially without specialist gear. Rather than trying to get too close with the camera, try filming from a little further away so that the subject is in focus and stays sharp even with a slight bit of camera movement. Then you can use the edit programme to zoom in slightly to get the desired framing. For further reading about depth of field or focus. There are plenty of articles and videos on this. Here are a few:
- www.edmundoptics.eu/resources/application-notes/imaging/depth-of-field-and-depth-of-focus/
- www.exposureguide.com/focusing-basics/
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD9qgQQlftk
These are generally for semi pro and pro cameras but it is still good knowledge to have even when using GoPros.
Bumble Bee shrimp by Jack Pokoj
Watch Jack’s video here.
Hi Jack. Short but sweet. Again, not sure what camera you are using but it looks as if the autofocus is spoiling your shot. If you can, once the focus is set, turn it to manual so that it stays where you want it. Otherwise really nice shot.
Critters of the Muck by Dean Spraakman
Watch Dean’s video here.
Excellent beginning with the drone setting the scene. Then a good dramatic cut to underwater with both music and image. The first critter you showed was very well shot but the second animal was unsharp and over lit. Not sure what the animal was but even if it was rare and extraordinary, the poor quality shot detracted from the rest your video. Best left out. The rest of the film was superb. Great animals and really well shot with both camera work and lighting. I like your use of slow and sped up motion. Very effective.
Size doesn’t matter – Daryll Rivett
Unfortunately the video won’t play. Please enter it in next month’s competition.
And the Winner is….
Critters of the Muck by Dean Spraakman
Well done to everyone and looking forward to next month.
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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