As technology improves and as world travel becomes easier and more convenient, more people are becoming divers. And once a person becomes a diver, the urge to capture and share images via photographs and videos often follows. Unfortunately, there are quite a few common mistakes beginning videographers make. While it’s pretty much impossible to get perfect shots right from the start, practicing and using tried and true techniques will help you avoid mistakes. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel; instead, get off on the right foot by avoiding these common videography errors.
Not Using or Misusing the Red Filter
Water filters the colors out of natural sunlight, so colors are lost and eventually, all you see is blue tones. The deeper you go, the bluer things get, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a lot of blue images that lack other colors. A red filter will help add color back to the images you capture, but it needs to be used carefully. The distance between you and your subject will affect the filter’s efficacy, for example; as the distance increases, the impact decreases. As subjects get closer, the brighter they get. If you get too close, you may get too much red or purple. Also, if you’re using black and white function, the red filter won’t make a difference.
Improper Use of Light
Adding light to a subject makes colors pop, particularly when you are taking a close-up. Be sure to learn how to use light properly so you don’t end up with unwanted shadows or colors that look unrealistic; in addition, learn about how light interacts with particles in the water column to avoid ending up with excessive backscatter.
Inability to Hold the Camera Steady
If you want to get great video, you’ve got to be able to hold the camera steady. This means you need to have impeccable buoyancy control, and you need to be supremely confident in the underwater environment. If you cannot keep your camera steady, you’ll end up with blurry images, your subjects will bounce in and out of view, and people will find themselves feeling seasick instead of enjoying the video you’ve shot. Current, swell, surge, and even gravity can have an effect on the way your images turn out. If you’re having a hard time on your dive, don’t worry about shooting video, and if you can’t get close enough to a subject to film it without zooming in, consider looking for a different subject to film. Keep practicing and soon enough, you’ll notice that you are getting better at underwater videography.
Using Auto Focus Instead of Manual Focus
If at all possible, use manual focus instead of auto focus. Though auto focus works well topside, cameras have trouble deciding what to focus on when underwater, which leads to blurred images. Worst of all, your camera will keep hunting for the right place to focus, and you’ll end up with film that moves back and forth from one distance to the next. Purchase a housing that allows you to turn off the autofocus, then learn how to use the manual focus feature appropriately.
Using Zoom
Zooming causes shaky looking shots, even when you’re holding your camera steady. If you want to get a closer shot of your target, you will need to move closer. Be very careful about getting too close to certain species, as many will feel the need to defend themselves when faced with a close-up camera.
Shooting from an Inappropriate Angle
While there are some times when you’ve just got to take video and you don’t have the ability to work on composition, there are also plenty of times when you can compose your shots carefully. The best way to shoot a subject is from slightly below it, and from the front. Shooting from behind or from above is usually not effective as images tend to turn out looking flat and lifeless. Another good way to shoot is to hang out and wait for subjects to pass you. Try to capture their faces as they approach, and try to get images of their marking as they pass. Don’t move the camera too much – instead, let them enter the shot and leave it in a natural manner. The more you are able to blend in with your surroundings, the more comfortable marine life will feel around you, and the better your videos will be.
Failing to Focus on Composition
You don’t have to think like a movie director to compose good shots, but channeling your favorite director can definitely help you to get the hang of things when you’re first starting out with underwater videography. To create a fantastic video, try shooting subjects from varying perspectives, aiming to capture different movements and behaviors. Think action and focus on filming behaviors rather than trying to get portraits of the animals you are focusing on.
Using Auto White Balance
White balance depends largely on the camera you’re using, as well as on the housing. At most dive sites, light changes significantly as you get into deeper water. Learning how to use manual white balance instead of relying on auto white balance will improve your video quality greatly.
Improper Housing Maintenance
The housing you choose for your video camera is designed to protect it from pressure and moisture. It’s vital that you care for it properly – otherwise, your video quality could suffer, and in the worst cases, your video camera could be destroyed. It’s not hard to take care of your housing, but it is something that has to be done on a regular basis. Clean, lubricate, and carefully re-seat your O-rings each time you return from a dive, and be sure to keep the port clean and free of debris. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to the letter, and if annual servicing is recommended, do not skip it.
Inadequate Control Over Camera Operations
Practice really does make perfect. Learn what every button on your camera does and practice frequently while topside, as well as when you are underwater. Knowing where all the controls are located will allow you to capture those once in a lifetime shots!
Finally, consider taking a course in underwater videography. You’ll learn how to take better video, your frustration level will decrease significantly, and you will skip the trial and error process completely. With time, patience, practice, and education, you’ll learn how to create underwater videos that are worth watching.