The Maldives in HD, quick tour from the Ocean Dancer

[mjh]

Ok so finally got the video form our 10day Ocean Dancer, Maldives trip done. Tried a few new things. Feel free to critique, be honest. Here is the 6min version Maldives in 6 minutes on Vimeo

You will see there is also a 18min version Diving the Maldives on Vimeo for those of you with more time to kill. That has been edited down to 12 but need to wait a week before I can upload, lol.

Things I am unsure about: Sound of my own voice, more or less info, think photos look washed out, in 18min ver voice over needs to be fixed, like split screens but think some of the photos get lost.......

 

[ronscuba]

Great video. I loved it. I like how you incorporated the stills with the video in the same frame. Very well done.

 

[sffrenchman]

Awesome videography and photography! Long version is definitely worth the time. Cheers!

 

[baitballer]

Very nice video and stills combined. What video set-up did you use and what editing software? Looks like you had a great trip.

 

[mjh]

Trip was very good. If I have one regret it is the Ocean Dancer really only does 3 dives a day. They are going for a more "relaxed feel". I would have been happy with four a day.

The video is done with a Sony HC7, Gates housing and a pair of L&M 2000 lights. Stills are with a Nikon D200, Aquatica housing, S&S 250 strobes. Editing software is Final Cut Express done on a MacBookPro. First try with FCE and I like it.

 

[mjh]

So for total overkill here is a 12min version Maldives in 12minutes on Vimeo

With the new editing program this has been an experiment in different formats. To me the photos and video look washed out, and have less contrast than when I originally edited them. Using Final Cut Express, which I like.

 

[ronscuba]

What do you mean an experiment in different formats ? Different editing program, render settings ? Can you do color and contrast adjustments ? That should help if you are not happy with the look.

 

[mjh]

Maybe "format" is the wrong word. Maybe style is better, as in using voiceover rather than text slides, mixing the video w/stills in one frame, multiple stills in one frame, etc... As for FCE I just need to learn more about the program, this took awhile just figuring out how to do things. But I don't think the way I am "rendering" the show is the best way. Half the time I try burning DVDs when I go to play them they read "data disk, no menu" and that is it. Might have to actually go to the Apple store and sit through one of the classes, lol.

 

[baitballer]

I am contemplating getting Final Cut Express since I now have a mac where as I have been using an old version of AVID dv which I LOVE but it will obviously not do HD which I am also upgrading to. I am impressed with the way you video has come out which makes me feel better about it. I have noticed that many reviews of it have putting it politely not been great! Even on the Apple site the reviews are pretty bad.

 

[mjh]

Well in my case Ignorance is probably bliss. I have read there is going to be a release of Final Cut Pro in the next couple of months and the upgrade I think is less than $300.