Advice for Professional Cinematographer looking into Pro Underwater video.

[filmguy123]

Hi there,

New to the boards AND to diving. As a professional freelance cinematographer and burgeoning diving enthusiast, I am asking the obvious question: should I expand my freelance services into underwater video?

Anyone have any experience, advice, or info on this? I am wondering how crowded the field is for a freelancer, and how many jobs may actually be available? And, what sort of jobs they usually are (rec diving VS tech diving, etc.)

This isn't an immediate thing for me - I assume I am going to need a great deal more dive experience first until I would look into this? But when that time comes, I am wondering the process to get plugged into the industry and what I might expect, any steps I can take in the meantime to prepare (if it is even worthwhile)?

Thank you!

 

[klausi]

My experience as a really ambitious underwater photographer is that it is hard to do this as a full-time job, unless you are really famous. One option is to combine uw-video with being an instructor; Also, diving guests sometimes enjoy having their video taken during their dives. Shooting nature footage and then selling it is challenging imo.

 

[BDSC]

To be honest, it will be very difficult for you to make any money doing uw video.

I can remember a time when you would go to a resort or liveaboard and they would have a "video pro" shooting uw video and at the end of the week they would try and sell you a dvd. I can't remember the last time I have been anywhere and someone offered that. The GoPro has put them out of business. I personally know of a couple of truly professional level folks who do uw video and they struggle to find any work in that field at all anymore.

I wish you the best of luck if you ever decide to give it a go but don't invest a lot of money in high end uw video equipment. You may never make it back.

 

[filmguy123]

Interesting - that bad? BDSC - would be superior curious to check out the pro level video folks you mentioned?

I wouldn't be so much looking at it as a full time profession... I do video as a full time profession, so adding the ability to do some underwater video on a professional level in ADDITION would be cool... even $15k a year in freelance jobs would be worth it, as I wouldn't rely on it to make a living. It would just be another kind of shoot in addition to all the land based production.

But perhaps even that is unrealistic...? Certainly there must be some amount of better paying jobs that warrant use of a pro video setup, especially in such a small niche market?

 

[3D diver]

Subscribed to hear what you learn.

I'm guessing, as a pro, you already have contacts and/or the skills needed to find gigs. I believe there are outfits that will rent you the gear. This would allow you to get your feet wet, as it were.

 

[diversteve]

looking into Pro Underwater video

Honestly this forum is mostly hobbyists. You really need to be over on Wetpixel, a lot of those guys do it for a living daily. Video Gear and Technique

I agree with BDSC also - last liveaboard we were on I had the best video gear on the boat (Sony HD camcorder in Amphibico housing) - I only shoot for myself.

Even if you currently own a 4K camera someone makes a housing for (mostly Gates now) - you'll spend that $15K plus more for the housing, ports and lights - probably more. Gates Housings for the better cameras start about $8K and run to well over $20K. I've see better lights like Keldan's in the $2-3K range - and you need 2 plus arms - which being a niche product wind up being several hundred dollars more. Good glass ports aren't cheap either - especially dome ports. Many seem to cost more than the lens they're for.

 

[Z Gear]

I would think a great way of using your talents in cinematography and pursuing your interest in professional underwater video could be in reaching out to different dive manufacturing companies who would benefit greatly from a well made video. Images are great but well made videos can put people at the scene. Producing a great product in use video can have the potential to really captivate an audience and can leave a lasting impression. I believe this has great value and that there is a specific demand for that talent especially for the dive industry.
Here is an example of pretty good product in use video I would like you to see. Perhaps this can can be a path you can consider, when you trying to figure out " How can I make money making professional underwater videos?"

Follow your Dreams
Frank G