First set of dives with my HC9

I've had my rig in the pool before testing, but never in the ocean. Spent a week at Catalina, and this was what I came up with. Lots more footage from the trip, but I threw this together to show family and friends. It's a little over-exposed in some areas, and a little shaky in some areas, but overall I'm pretty happy with it. Let me know what you think!

http://www.vimeo.com/1571043

Nice job, loved the opening "wave" shot.

Catalina is always fun. Nice to see the Black Sea Bass have come back after being absent for almost 25 years.

Very nice video. Nicely edited. Reminds me of my times instructing and shooting video @ Catalina!

Additionally, if you'd like tips on how to get more from your models (buoyancy) please feel free to PM.

Cheers,

K

What's wrong with tips in the forum Ken?

What's wrong with tips in the forum Ken?

Probably nothing. That being said I don't know this forum well & I wanted to exercise some discretion with regards to the possible sensitivities of the original poster.

My suggestions would include trim & buoyancy tips for one of his models.

Cheers,

Ken

Probably nothing. That being said I don't know this forum well & I wanted to exercise some discretion with regards to the possible sensitivities of the original poster.

 

My suggestions would include trim & buoyancy tips for one of his models.

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

Please, hint and tip away. This was my first time having this housing in the water, and if you've got tips for that particular model, please let me know in the forum. Lots of folks have that same set up, and maybe the info will help them as well. Don't worry - I'm pretty thick skinned

I'm interested in some of the problems I see with the footage so maybe you can give me a better understanding.

Early in the film there is a shot of a sheepshead, however, the sheepshead looked almost completely desaturated of color..were you using lights? There appeared to me a lack of overall color saturation and I would like to know if this is due to the cam or white balance or what?

Someone told me that the HC-9 has a focus assist feature similar to that of the old Sony DCR 1000....if so, what did you think of it?

Steve

I'm interested in some of the problems I see with the footage so maybe you can give me a better understanding.

Early in the film there is a shot of a sheepshead, however, the sheepshead looked almost completely desaturated of color..where you using lights? There appeared to me a lack of overall color saturation and I would like to know if this is due to the cam or white balance or what?

Someone told me that the HC-9 has a focus assist feature similar to that of the old Sony DCR 1000....if so, what did you think of it?

Steve

That Sheepshead was in about 60 feet of water, and I was not using lights. For all of these dives, I used AWB. I also tried Auto Iris, and left the shutter on auto - the only manual setting was focus. I basically set the focus to .9 meters, and left it. I messed with it a little shooting some macro stuff, but none of that was in that clip.

As far as the overexposure - After I saw the first days clips, I went to a shutter speed of 1/250th, and it was still overblown, so I went to 1/500th. That really seemed to help when I'd hit a super bright subject.

There is one shot where I had the lights on - when the fish are eating from the kelp stem. You can see the colors on the Sheepshead pretty well in that shot.

Again - new rig, first dives with it, I was really just playing around with it.

Please, hint and tip away. This was my first time having this housing in the water, and if you've got tips for that particular model, please let me know in the forum. Lots of folks have that same set up, and maybe the info will help them as well. Don't worry - I'm pretty thick skinned

Cheers Bob! I love watching the video. I especially love the closeups of the Bat Ray in full feeding mode and your music/editing choices. Bravo!

As per modeling - it was interesting watching the duo. The fella was very comfortable in his movements and easy to watch. The other less so. I did notice that she had a ton of weight strapped around her waist which was driving her hips down and creating a positive attack angle. She also dangled her spg & octo. That being said I would suggest (as a scuba instructor) that she shift her weights around. Moving some weight towards the crown of the tank would be beneficial. Also, positively buoyant fins would move her more towards the neutral position both in her regular swimming mode and on ascents. Of course, the shifting of weights might become visible on video?

Short story - with my beginning video students on Catalina I got very tired of seeing them always in the up angle. After viewing the clips I would urge them to try a spare heavy plate (Fred T - 12 lb) and small wing system that I had. Sometimes we switched fins to Mares, or whatever was floaty and fit. The swimming differences were often profound, as was air consumption. From former bottom trawlers they often became Mer people. We also used black ankle weights on the crown of the tank for those who didn't get a plate system.

Anyway, I look forward to more of your videos!

Cheers,

Ken

ps: As a guy who has tons of footage from Catalina - the environment of kelp forests (shade), beautiful ambient light, blue depths makes the decision to shoot with, or without lights sometimes a on/off situation. It might be bright as heck at 130' and twin 50 watt HID's are sometimes useless - except for closeups. Not always easy to figure out Catalina and it's variable lighting conditions.

Cheers Bob! I love watching the video. I especially love the closeups of the Bat Ray in full feeding mode and your music/editing choices. Bravo!

 

As per modeling - it was interesting watching the duo. The fella was very comfortable in his movements and easy to watch. The other less so. I did notice that she had a ton of weight strapped around her waist which was driving her hips down and creating a positive attack angle. She also dangled her spg & octo. That being said I would suggest (as a scuba instructor) that she shift her weights around. Moving some weight towards the crown of the tank would be beneficial. Also, positively buoyant fins would move her more towards the neutral position both in her regular swimming mode and on ascents. Of course, the shifting of weights might become visible on video?

 

Short story - with my beginning video students on Catalina I got very tired of seeing them always in the up angle. After viewing the clips I would urge them to try a spare heavy plate (Fred T - 12 lb) and small wing system that I had. Sometimes we switched fins to Mares, or whatever was floaty and fit. The swimming differences were often profound, as was air consumption. From former bottom trawlers they often became Mer people. We also used black ankle weights on the crown of the tank for those who didn't get a plate system.

 

Anyway, I look forward to more of your videos!

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

 

ps: As a guy who has tons of footage from Catalina - the environment of kelp forests (shade), beautiful ambient light, blue depths makes the decision to shoot with, or without lights sometimes a on/off situation. It might be bright as heck at 130' and twin 50 watt HID's are sometimes useless - except for closeups. Not always easy to figure out Catalina and it's variable lighting conditions.

Actually, the easy to watch fella was me:) My buddy Ron had the camera at the time (Ron Moore - since you do a lot at Catalina, you might know him - he owns Dive Catalina, and is my production partner). The chick with me is my wife. She's a very, very beginner diver - these were dives 12-22 for her that week - first dives in over a year. In most of those shots, she was very over-weighted, and had a lot of issues. The shots that she was in were early on in the trip, and well before Ron had a chance to work with her, and get her gear problems fixed. We're getting her set up with her won gear soon instead of rentals, and we're going with a weight integrated BC, and for sure some different fins. Those are some of the original Apollo Bio Fins that they used during the Sea Lab testing on the island when they were first invented. Ron had them laying around and gave them to her maybe 10 years ago? Anyway - we'll for sure try something more bouyant - thanks for the tip!

Best,

Bob

Actually, the easy to watch fella was me:) The chick with me is my wife.

 

Best,

 

Bob

Your wife! I rescind everything I said!!! I don't want you getting in trouble.

Actually, for dives 12-22 she did quite well and with a year layoff even!

I probably have met your friend Ron at some point. That being said I haven't been back to my favorite island for at least two years. The closest I got was your video. Thanks for sharing and look forward to your next video post!

Cheers,

Ken

May i ask what software u used to edit?

May i ask what software u used to edit?

Sure. Final Cut Pro.

I didn't do anything spectacular to it. I didn't even color correct or anything. I threw that together on the plane home, just so I'd be able to show family/friends, and get some pointers here from you folks.

Next trip is to Florida in a month. So hopefully there will be something tropical for me to post next!

Really nice shots and editing.

I also have a HC9 setup (Ikelite housing). Do take a look at using MWB, you'll notice a huge difference. The HC9 has great focus and definition, but colors underwater are no good at AWB. If your housing doesn't have MWB, try the outdoor setting.

PS: what's wrong with the girl? She keeps pushing her reg to her mouth

Also, either you have an iron pulse or I'm all wasted... or that Gates housing of your works miracles

Do you shoot with the steadyshot on?

ooops! So the "girl" is your wife... respect, man!