Winners - Underwater Videography Contests
October 2021 Video Contest Winner and Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND RESIDENT UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY EXPERT JEFF GOODMAN
Winner: Aliens of the Sea by Oliver Knopken
Winning Video:
Interesting variety of films this month and it was enjoyable watching them all. There were a few that stood out but in the end it came down to one particular shot that won the day. It was the cuttlefish catching the scorpionfish. So this month’s winner is Aliens of the Sea by Oliver Knopken.
Sand of thousand eyes by Oliver Knopken
Great drone opening and I loved the door opening to the underwater scene. First time I have seen that done. Wonderful animals, all well shot. The music gave a good lively full of life feel to the film. Good choice.
Aliens of the Sea by Oliver Knopken
Once again, great opening drone sequence and the door opening effect has worked just as well as the first time I saw it and once again good music choice. Beautiful animals in your video. The pulsating cuttlefish was amazing. If you ever get to re-edit, try to slow that particular shot down by 50% or more and show both versions. Just as I was getting used to seeing the cuttlefish do its stuff, my eyes widened as it went for the fish. Brilliant shot.
Rosalie Moeller by Alexander Laue
Interesting tour of the wreck. Always a challenge when working deep. Although the images are all good, eighteen minutes is a long time for any film with no information and commentary and may only be of interest to those who have or are about to dive the wreck. Have a think about putting together some facts about the ship as well as the dive and try a narration. It’s good fun to do and you may be happily pleased with the result.
Kingdom of the Jacks by Bryson Justus
Good written intro and good title. Nice opening shots which gave a feeling of quiet anticipation for the dive to come. The shots of the Jacks were excellent. So good to see so many fish together which is getting rarer every year with over fishing. Such stunning animals to be with underwater. The ray was a nice addition. I thoroughly enjoyed watching.
Wreckdive on the MS Balena in Hurghada, Egypt by Scubabeat
Stunning wreck and really well filmed with great images. The viz looked a little poor but you coped well.
Fish life of Bunaken National Park by Pim van Schendel
Perfect written intro, thanks. Makes a big difference to the enjoyment of the film. Stunning images with excellent camera work and very good lighting. The close ups are superb. I liked the music too which gave a lovely relaxed feel to film.
The November 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:
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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