Winners - Underwater Videography Contests
October 2018 Video Contest Winner and Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND RESIDENT UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY EXPERT JEFF GOODMAN
Winner: Diving Komodo by Marc Eeckhaut
Winning Video:
Having been at the Birmingham dive show over the weekend, I saw many hi-quality videos on display shot from around the world. I can say without any reservation that all of the films in this month’s competition were of that same high standard and as such all entrants should be proud of their achievements. I did hear someone at the show commenting that video was a waste of time especially as so much effort was needed for editing. Well, all I can say is take a good look at this month’s entries and be awed.
Please do have a look at all the film comments as well as those on your own entry.
Let’s take a look at this month’s entries:
Rudi Nudi by Jack Breedon
Watch Jack’s video here.
Hi Jack. Stunning images and as you say, very calming to watch. There was no sound. Was that intentional?
Below Bunurong by Jack Breedon
Watch Jack’s video here.
Film maker and musician! Excellent. Loved the film. Beautifully shot with some great animals. The shark and ray were especially captivating. All on a snorkel too!
Soft Coral at Bare Island by Sylvi Soe
Watch Sylvi’s video here.
That was quite magical. Great to see a new type of treatment to underwater clips. As you say, the mood was perfect for a glass of wine next to the fire.
Short-Headed Seahorse by Seadragon Photography (Dean Spraakman)
Watch Dean’s video here.
Crazy creatures. That was excellent and good music too. I liked the concentration on one animal. Well filmed with crisp, well exposed and well framed images. The music could have faded out a little slower at the end as it was a bit abrupt.
Diving Komodo by Marc Eeckhaut
Watch Marc’s video here.
A proper movie. The manta coming out of the bubbles was a perfect edit, with just the right choice of music. The two octopuses were a delight to see. Was that luck being there just at the right time. The sweetlips being cleaned was exceptional. The return of the manta was perfect as it pulled the rest of the reef images together into a conclusive story. Then the turtle……..you must be very happy with this film! It’s often a mistake to try and make images in a film last right through a selected piece of music as it often looks as if the film maker has been desperately looking for enough video material rather than simply editing the music to fit the images. However, in this case the images worked right though and up to the end of the sound track.
Out of the Black & Into the Blue: Chapter. FORGOTTEN ISLANDS by Alex del Olmo
Watch Alex’s video here.
Spectacular aerial opening with perfect editing to the music. The underwater images were also spectacular, all being well exposed, sharp and perfectly framed. The fish action was wonderful to see.
And the Winner is….
I would like to give everyone first place but can’t, so after much deliberation I have chosen Diving Komodo by Marc Eeckhaut. It was a complete visual story with a beginning and end. The music was good and the editing spot-on.
Looking forward to seeing all your entries 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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