professional cameraman going underwater

[JFras30]

I started diving last year so I'm still very new to the sport. I'm a pro cameraman above water and hope to expand my skills underwater. I've shot underwater once. Did a story on a guy who scuba dives golf course water traps to fish balls out and refurbished the balls to sell them (guy pulled in six figures). But the water wasn't that deep and the vis was awful. I just snorkeled and got mostly water line shots using a sony dvcam with housing. The reporter thought that was great. Got some good nat sound from the bubbles underwater too. It was a good intro to shooting in water. Now I have another assignment to shoot Hydoid AUVs. I'll probably just snorkel here also and get water line shots as the AUV goes in the water. Eventually I want to get in the water with scuba gear.

Anyway I just like to get some thoughts and ideas about shooting underwater. Equipment, challenges, advice, personal stories or anything that might be of interest.

 

[Bombarie]

Hey - not sure whether you found it yet, but also make sure to check www.wetpixel.com and the forums, they have a lot on what you are looking for, too.

All the best, Arie

 

[JFras30]

Arie, thanks. Great site.

 

[drbill]

Hey, keep your professional skills topside so you aren't competing with us rank amateurs! Seriously, welcome to the underwater world and SB.

 

[marshallkarp]

It's not the song, it's the singer. - Templeton "Faceman" Peck, The A Team.

Anyway, tell us more about your equipment, camera and housing. How many dives have you made? What underwater stories, events, or sites interest you the most?

 

[JFras30]

Believe me you " rank amateurs" are far above (or should I say below) me when it comes to shooting in water. The only thing I've done is in shallow water, mostly water line stuff. I"m going out new next week to do a story on a company called Hydroid Inc (http://hydroidinc.com) which makes underwater robotics used by the navy to hunt mines. That will still be water line stuff so I won't actually be scuba.Shooting in water is so new to me its a whole new challenging after shooting for twenty years. I work for CNBC so it does enable me to get my hands on all kinds of equipment. So I'm just starting out as a newbie. I'm picking up the camera they are assigning me on Friday. I'll let you know the make and model.

 

[HiDefPics]

Welcome to the great sport of scuba diving!
I've been working in the production business for 10+ years and a small percentage of that work has been diving related. It's been great fun to combine both the work and the sport that I enjoy, but making a living strictly from underwater video is tough to do - especially for me, as I live in Indiana!
They say patience is a virtue, and that's definitley true when trying to shoot underwater. You've just got to wait for those critters to do their thing.
You've already got the shooting skills, and the same things (shot comp., iris, white balance, focus, etc) all apply underwater. My advice is to dive, dive, dive. Hone your bouyancy skills ... become a comfortable, skilled, competent diver ... then grab the camera. And have fun!

My 2 cents ...

 

[JFras30]

I definitely don"t plan to make a living doing underwater video. But anything to expand my skills is always welcome. Just FYI the camera I have to use is an older Sony Handycam DCR-VX1000 with a Amphic VH1000 housing. It belongs to the company but I get to use it.