Constructive critisism wanted - Gopro video - Verde Island - Philippines

[chillinme]

Hi everyone,
I am looking for some advice and feedback to help improve my dive videos. I mainly make them to personally relive my experiences but like to show friends and family so I'd like them to be entertaining too.

This video was shot in March 2012. I have only just upgraded my computer enough to handle the video. It was shot with a go pro hero HD (the original one) with an occulus flat lens.

Any feedback would be fantastic. I hope you enjoy. This trip was my first adventure overseas and Verde Island was amazing.

[video=youtube;HUsZxUinRFQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUsZxUinRFQ[/video]

 

[MaxBottomtime]

1. Never hit the record button while you're swimming. Any camera movement is magnified onscreen. If you don't have an underwater tripod or a clear spot to set the housing down, pick an item in the viewfinder and try to keep it in the same spot while recording.

2. White balance. The frogfish is blown out. Change the manual white balance every few meters of depth.

3. Lights help for all shots within a few feet of the lens. For every other shot, use a red filter to bring out the natural colors.

4. Simplify your transitions. A simple cut or dissolve gives the video a more professional look.

5. Choose music that conveys the mood underwater. A shark attack would be fine for loud music, but for all else, simple background music helps the viewer enjoy the scenery more.

 

[chillinme]

Thanks Maxbottomtime,

1. This was my first real attempt at recording a dive and stupidly, I pressed record when I hit the water and had the filter through 2 hours of continuous video and then cut out the bits I wanted to keep. Extremely tedious and I have since learned to only record when I have a subject to focus on.

2. Re the white balance, I am not sure if I can change it manually on a gopro (or do you mean in editing?) This video was recorded on the original gopro, I now have a 2 with a SRP flat lens and red filter. My intention is to have a better understanding of what I am doing before October when we head to Fiji. I really had no clue on my last trip.

3. I am saving for a couple of sola lights and a tray so hoping I'll have them here before the trip also, but just to clarify, if I am using lights do I swap out the red filter? Will I have to chose between close up shots or scenery beforehand because I can't change the filters once I am in the water.

4. I definitely agree with you on the transitions. It was my first attempt at editing any video so I was playing around but I didn't really like the effect, it was just getting late and I went with what I had.

5. I'll put more consideration to the background music. Do videos sound better if I leave the bubbles noises in and play music over the top or should I stick with taking the sound out and replacing it?

Cheers

1. Never hit the record button while you're swimming. Any camera movement is magnified onscreen. If you don't have an underwater tripod or a clear spot to set the housing down, pick an item in the viewfinder and try to keep it in the same spot while recording.

2. White balance. The frogfish is blown out. Change the manual white balance every few meters of depth.

3. Lights help for all shots within a few feet of the lens. For every other shot, use a red filter to bring out the natural colors.

4. Simplify your transitions. A simple cut or dissolve gives the video a more professional look.

5. Choose music that conveys the mood underwater. A shark attack would be fine for loud music, but for all else, simple background music helps the viewer enjoy the scenery more.

 

[James Waller]

I self taught myself by watching videos from pros. What kind of shots they make. How the story is told overall and for each subject. How its edited. All the non technical answers to your questions will be found spending some time researching how they compose shots and edit a video... And then practise practice practice!

For Youtube videos I would aim for around the 3 minute mark

The issues for me is the length, non white balance, music choice & moving camera.

It looks like anybodies 1st video would. Practice makes perfect!

 

[diver 85]

You need to get some light(s) going........To me, everything was very blue or dark.......


EDIT:......Here's kinda what I'm talking about.....click this link if it doesn't show up here.....
Giant frogfish | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[video]<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="225" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" classid="clsid27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=b82a574858&photo_id=8187443362"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=b82a574858&photo_id=8187443362" height="225" width="400"></embed></object>[/video][video]http://www.flickr.com/photos/80825593@N08/8187443362/in/set-72157631917831223/[/video]

BTW, shot @ Apo Island, Philippines last Oct......

 

[Tortuga68]

Nice, Verde is a great site for video

Do videos sound better if I leave the bubbles noises in and play music over the top or should I stick with taking the sound out and replacing it?

Personally I like hearing the bubble sounds in dive videos, so music over the top for me

OT: At 4:35, this is why people say not to use double tank wings with single tanks!

 

[vales1]

This video gives some good tips on how to make entertaining videos. Just with this promotional bit, you'll immediately identify a few things you can improve on your video. I downloaded the book for kindle and it's really good for under 10 bucks. If you really want a video to be proud of, it would also be a good idea to invest in editing software. As for the filter, I would opt for something I can take on and off so you're not stuck with the red fliter in shallow or very deep waters.

[video=youtube;jF0z9k93Y9Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jF0z9k93Y9Q[/video]