First Video

[rrweather]

My first video...Finally got around to playing with iMovie and some movies I took in Key West in April 2009. The wreck sits in 75-90 ft of water. The camera is a Canon SX1 in an ikelite housing. I used a red filter and no lights. The current was pretty strong and the visibility suffered from it. Some observations I made are:

Very Blue. The red filter was not very effective at 80ft. I also believe I did not get a good white balance before I started shooting. I shot some video further North in Florida, a week later, at the same depth and the blue is gone. I guess that is the difference of a good white balance.

The video is very jerky. Obviously this is something I am going to have to work on.

The editing is not all that good. I know very little about editing whatsoever. I used iMovie. The video looked much better when viewed in iMovie than it does once exported. I'm not sure if that is the byproduct of compression and conversion or I messed something up. I also don't know how to export HD movies using iMovie. When I chose to export, there was no HD option. My iMovie is a year or two old (not the newest version) so I wonder if that had something to so with it.

I would appreciate some feedback. Obviously skill is something I will have to keep working on. I am definitely interested in any tips on configuring equipment, camera settings, etc.

What editing software works well on a Mac? As I mentioned, maybe HD would be an option with the newest version of iMovie. I will look into it. I am not planning on being anything more than an amateur with video so I do not need a hard core editing program. Besides, I am working on a MacBook Pro so I have to keep that in mind when I choose software.

Thanks for any help,

Randy

YouTube - Salvage Master - Key West

 

[Blue Sparkle]

I'm about six months behind you on the learning curve (i.e. the movies are still just files), but in doing a quick bit of research (after trying to use iMovie '08), I found that, basically, iMovie '08 is pretty flawed.

As I understand it from my reading, iMovie used to be pretty spiffy, and then for some reason with '08, Apple changed everything about it, and limited a lot of good functions. Reviews for iMovie '09 are much, much better.

At the moment, I can't decide whether to upgrade to iMovie '09 or to go with something else (and if so, what). It sounds as though older version of iMovie ('06) laid things out in traditional manner, with a timeline. Apparently with '08 they eliminated the timeline and "modernized." So people who are used to more "traditional" movie editing software are really missing the timeline (which does sound logical). On the other hand, whatever '09 uses is apparently working well, and the extreme disfunctionality of '08 is fixed.

So, as I mentioned above, I'm torn between simply sticking with iMovie and upgrading to '09; or going with something else altogether (and if so... what?).

I'll be watching this thread with interest

B.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Whichever software you use, save the file as the biggest one you can. I use Pinnacle Studio 12 and save files as HD 1080i, 1920 X 1080, then I go to Youtube and upload the file from there, not the link from the software. YouTube gives viewers the choice of format to watch the videos.
As far as shooting video, the best advice I can give is to stop swimming and never point the camera down. It's best to hold the housing as still as possible and let the animals provide the motion. Also, the closer you get to your subject the more color and detail you will get. If you can afford videos lights, they make all the difference in the world.

 

[Papa_Bear]

Welcome to the world of frustration and expense! The above advise is good, and I would add, like still photography add composition to your shots! Do an establishing shot of the wreck, not just there is the gunwale! Learn wide, medium, and close up, and you will improve most of your stuff! I would also master the frog kick and use a broad stable fin, as your body becomes your shooting platform for your camera and it needs to be as stable as possible! Instead of cutting the other diver out make them part of the action! It will give you scale and a focal point and something people will relate to! Have a shot plan, a story board, or a reason for the camera to move! Cut out unnecessary movement in editing! Get a program that allows you adjust the white balance and Gamma in editing! I would preset the camera on shady day at least! Use your view finder or establish a point on your housing that puts the action in the lens! Whatever you do, don't give up! Think in the terms of the lens and what your trying to say!

 

[rrweather]

Thanks for the responses and tips. I was wondering about iMovie 08 because the quality of video definitely got worse when all was said and done. I know every time the file is processed it can lose quality. The videos definitely look better on the TV (both off the camera and off the hard drive with minimal processing). Online, mine don't look anything like the others I've watched. I know Final Cut is discussed and offered on Apple's site. We're contemplating getting an iMac for our office so it would come with iMovie 09 if we buy it. I will have to keep researching editing software.

I know my composition is in need of improvement. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to devote entire dives to taking photos or video. Instead, it is more of a "record what I see" video. The trick will be improving my video quality without altering my dives much.

Thanks again for the help. I will hopefully be home soon and able to dive so I may have more movies to play with.