Hazards of the Deep Video Critique Wanted

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DocWong

DocWong

Contributor
Messages
797
Reaction score
29
Location
Redwood City, CA
# of dives
1000 - 2499
Hi,

I'd like to get some feedback on this last video I did. It can be found at:

YouTube - Hazards of the Deep

The camera is just a Canon SD 600 vidoed at 15 fps, at 640 x 480, no lights, etc. I'm looking for a housing for my Sony PC 115 but am unsure if that is the way I want to go. I used one for another project and wasn't impressed at how it handle different lighting conditions. There were no manual aperature controls via the housing though.

My current approach is that I want a small enough camera to just clip off and ignore and just dive if I wanted, making video secondary to my dive. Perhaps I need to rethink that and bite the bullet and get a real video system.

I would love to see a video camera that would take better video and that would come in a small enough package so that I can just clip it off and forget about it if I want. I'm not yet up to the point where I'd be willing to take along video lights for that reason. Maybe later.
 
That's quite a different flavor! The hazy vis kinda gives it a low budget look, which accentuates the plot narrative. It has an art-house nuance to it. The sound track is a good choice too. A first, I thought the rescue part dragged on, but I think it fits together- the confusing wide shots, the kinetic shot of the sea lion. It conveys confusion and urgency while the sound track builds tension. I like the suppine victim, although a Jesus pose would be more poetic. The fallen star is really a nice touch- it seemed to drop forever, even when it looked like it was about to hit rock bottom- a nice metaphor for the abyssal descent. The length of the video is certainly not too long, and it's just short enough to leave me wishing it was a little longer- that's a good thing.

On the whole it's a nice video. Wrapping the story around the shots adds another dimension and layer of creativity to the "typical" "this is what everything looks like when we go diving" video. I enjoyed watching it.
 
Thanks! I appreciate your feedback!

I really enjoyed reading your description and your sharing of what you thought of the video! As I was editing it, I was thinking that I may think it's fun, but does that create that impression for others.
 
I like that video for what it is: fun - enjoying life. Nice one! I appreciate anyone who takes the time to sit down and create.
As for cameras: we used to take a small Panasonic in a small Sealux housing with us. I love Sealux - unbreakable, rugged, easy to use. It was a great little 3CCD to take along - easy to leave dangling - and shoot astonishingly crispy results. However, as with most small cams, it had a bad image stabilizer.
From what you wrote, I'd say: check your store for a few small cams you like with a good stabilizer (which does not mean you won't need to try to hold the camera steady!) and good lowlight. Before buying, check out the manufacturers - see if you get lucky and there is a housing for your choice. Check for the housing's functions and (as you do tech) depth range - you don't want a housing that can only go to 10 meters.
 
And who says DIR divers aren't allowed to have fun . . . :D

Cute video. Loved the sea lion cruise-by.
 
DiscoverTheBlue:
I like that video for what it is: fun - enjoying life. Nice one! I appreciate anyone who takes the time to sit down and create.
As for cameras: we used to take a small Panasonic in a small Sealux housing with us. I love Sealux - unbreakable, rugged, easy to use. It was a great little 3CCD to take along - easy to leave dangling - and shoot astonishingly crispy results. However, as with most small cams, it had a bad image stabilizer.
From what you wrote, I'd say: check your store for a few small cams you like with a good stabilizer (which does not mean you won't need to try to hold the camera steady!) and good lowlight. Before buying, check out the manufacturers - see if you get lucky and there is a housing for your choice. Check for the housing's functions and (as you do tech) depth range - you don't want a housing that can only go to 10 meters.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check into that! I'm really enjoying doing video!
 
My current approach is that I want a small enough camera to just clip off and ignore and just dive if I wanted, making video secondary to my dive. Perhaps I need to rethink that and bite the bullet and get a real video system.
Click to expand...
Or you could get both in one package: Seatools/Sony HDR-HC7 camera/housing.

The housing is 7.3" x 4.4" x 7.7". 3lbs out of water, 10oz. underwater.
 
sjspeck:
Or you could get both in one package: Seatools/Sony HDR-HC7 camera/housing.

The housing is 7.3" x 4.4" x 7.7". 3lbs out of water, 10oz. underwater.
Click to expand...

Wow, that looks like the smallest one yet and HD too! I think this is just what I was looking for. Any feedback on this camera compared to other HD cameras like it?
 
Purely constructive; keep each clip under 5 seconds. My average scene length for Endless Scooter is about 3 seconds. Makes it a pain to edit, but more pleasurable to watch.



Enjoyed the video! Keep em coming!



All the best, James
 
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