New Video from St Lucia...

[jcpiota]

Using a Sony XR200 with a light and motion stingray+ housing. I believe on the footage on the video no lights were used. Red filter was applied at depths below 15 ft(depending on sun position, maybe shallower). Edited with Imovie.

When you are diving/snorklng, more of the resort will take you to the Bay of Anse Cochon. That is where the wreck of the Lesleen M is, a popular dive. Look up on the bluff and you will see about 30 cottages beautifully laid out above the bay. That is Tikaye. If you are ever looking for peace and serenity and the nicest staff on the planet, stay there sometime. I have to be careful because it is unique. Most people like the swimup bar places, that is not Tikaye.

Have a great stay. If I can be of any help let me know. I'm almost a local at this point.

jcpiota,

Staying at the Sandal's resort of La Toc, have access to their two other resorts. Will be boat diving a number of sites around the island over the week I am there. This will be my first trip to St. Lucia.

What camera where you using to capture this video?

regards,

Rickg65

 

[arkstorm]

Fantastic video! And awesome narration. You have a great voice. Whenever I try to narrate I am reminded that I have a voice fit for mime.

Here's my objective critique: The video was fine. Some things that could make it even better are to use exposure lock to avoid those situations where the camera is altering brightness up and down during a shot (such as at '1"47 - '1"52). Also don't hesitate to use your lights even in good clear daylight to bring out some colors (such as at "55-'1"05). Finally, white balance early, white balance often. Do it in-camera, do it in post production. I think you did a fairly decent job with WB but there were some spots that could use touch up.

Best part of the video is the way you worked in the topside shots in the beginning and the Ken Burns effect on the photo at the end to tell your story.

That was seriously good stuff.

 

[jcpiota]

Now that's feedback!!!! Love it. Exactly what I'm looking for.

Could of things. My voice sucks. That's all mixing just using GargageBand. I starting the learning curve on Soundtrack Pro.

On overexposure: I got some advice about controlling the autogain. However, am going nuts because I don't think that the Sony XR200 gives me the option of manual control over the 'gain'.

Also, I have been doing 'white balance' post-production. I look forward to next trip. I am planning to white-balance in real time.

Finally...glad you caught the Burns work. People have no idea how many tiny details go into a video this amateur and this short! Editing, Color-correction, 4 soundtracks, and fixing a lousy voice...and I love every minute of it.

Fantastic video! And awesome narration. You have a great voice. Whenever I try to narrate I am reminded that I have a voice fit for mime.

Here's my objective critique: The video was fine. Some things that could make it even better are to use exposure lock to avoid those situations where the camera is altering brightness up and down during a shot (such as at '1"47 - '1"52). Also don't hesitate to use your lights even in good clear daylight to bring out some colors (such as at "55-'1"05). Finally, white balance early, white balance often. Do it in-camera, do it in post production. I think you did a fairly decent job with WB but there were some spots that could use touch up.

Best part of the video is the way you worked in the topside shots in the beginning and the Ken Burns effect on the photo at the end to tell your story.

That was seriously good stuff.

 

[arkstorm]

On overexposure: I got some advice about controlling the autogain. However, am going nuts because I don't think that the Sony XR200 gives me the option of manual control over the 'gain'.

If you look on page 101 of the PDF manual (available online) it tells you that you can switch your exposure mode to manual, at least temporarily. That would be a good place to start.

I would advise against adjusting exposure with gain as this will create high noise in darker scenes when you could have just opened the aperture or used a slower shutter speed.

By using manual mode to select your exposure level your camera should, in theory, use the lowest possible gain given the greatest possible aperture. Shutter speed will probably remain within a certain range like a 50th-60th of a second depending on your frame-rate.

 

[ronscuba]

Finally...glad you caught the Burns work. People have no idea how many tiny details go into a video this amateur and this short! Editing, Color-correction, 4 soundtracks, and fixing a lousy voice...and I love every minute of it.

Nice job. I like the narration.

Editing videos is either a love or hate thing. I'm with you. I enjoy the whole idea of creating something from nothing and expressing my own personal spin on things.

I'm just starting to learn and experiment with controlled camera movements.

Look forward to seeing more of your work.

 

[jcpiota]

Have tp say I especially appreciate your comments. I have been a follower of your post, video work, and advice. Thanks again.

Nice job. I like the narration.

Editing videos is either a love or hate thing. I'm with you. I enjoy the whole idea of creating something from nothing and expressing my own personal spin on things.

I'm just starting to learn and experiment with controlled camera movements.

Look forward to seeing more of your work.