It's not about the equipments, Komodo National Park Dive Trip June 2015

Hi folks,

Just got back from a LOB with KM BlackManta and I though I share some of my experience and the video clip I took from the trip.

I'm fortunate that another member from this forums also joint as an onboard videographer/photographer of the company, Nu Parnupong. He posted here from time to time and I hope he don't mind I posted a link to his video during our trip as comparison to mine

I learn lot from Nu and, since both our equipment are the same (GH4 in Nauticam housing with 7-14 most of the time), sometime is frustrating that I couldn't get the same footage as his. I have just 70 dive logs before my trip to Komodo, and I though it was enough to handle the Komodo's current while shooting. It just not the case. Bellow are some of the observation I learnt during the trip:

1. My footage is less stable. Bear in mind we both shoot the same GH4, without IS. Yet almost 80% I say mine was shaky. I considered my buoyancy control is ok, but not in the current filled water of Komodo.

2. We shoot WA most of the time, and Nu's clip can get up close and personal with the object. I used hook most of the time but I observed that Nu were free and somehow can manage the current to his advantage. Case in point was where we shooting Manta at Karang Makasar (Manta on the Moon), the current were about 3-4 knots, while I was fighting with one hand on the hook and the other on the camera Nu was free roaming and get close and personal with the Manta. My footage was just side view of the manta swimming in the current

3. I think my WB setting were OK, I used manual WB with white slate and adjust them depending on the depth. GH4 is easy for changing WB.

4. The back focus in GH4 is fantastic! GH4 UW focusing is as easy as 1-2-3

Can't wait for my next trip to R4 later this year, and as they used to say: It's not the equipments! But the man behind it!

Anyhow without further a do, here's my clip and thanks for reading my rambling above:

And here's Nu's video took at the same trip:

What do you mean you use hook most of the time in current?

Actually your clip is also very nice but dont forget that Nu ia a proffesional underwater videographer and yes he is a very good one...

Thanks for sharing Pak Bona.It's my pleasure to join the fantastic trip in Komodo with you.
Your work is nicely done also.I love to see you keep shooting and sharing stuff more and more.
I just got a chance to do this everyday so I've done lots of trial and error.

When you got a chance to scouted around the divesite often you'll learn to positioned yourself to get your designed shot.

Nothing can compare with learning by doing.Hope you enjoyed your time filming underwater and look forward to see your work more and more.

Cheers,

Hi folks,

 

Just got back from a LOB with KM BlackManta and I though I share some of my experience and the video clip I took from the trip.

 

I'm fortunate that another member from this forums also joint as an onboard videographer/photographer of the company, Nu Parnupong. He posted here from time to time and I hope he don't mind I posted a link to his video during our trip as comparison to mine

 

I learn lot from Nu and, since both our equipment are the same (GH4 in Nauticam housing with 7-14 most of the time), sometime is frustrating that I couldn't get the same footage as his. I have just 70 dive logs before my trip to Komodo, and I though it was enough to handle the Komodo's current while shooting. It just not the case. Bellow are some of the observation I learnt during the trip:

 

1. My footage is less stable. Bear in mind we both shoot the same GH4, without IS. Yet almost 80% I say mine was shaky. I considered my buoyancy control is ok, but not in the current filled water of Komodo.

 

2. We shoot WA most of the time, and Nu's clip can get up close and personal with the object. I used hook most of the time but I observed that Nu were free and somehow can manage the current to his advantage. Case in point was where we shooting Manta at Karang Makasar (Manta on the Moon), the current were about 3-4 knots, while I was fighting with one hand on the hook and the other on the camera Nu was free roaming and get close and personal with the Manta. My footage was just side view of the manta swimming in the current

 

3. I think my WB setting were OK, I used manual WB with white slate and adjust them depending on the depth. GH4 is easy for changing WB.

 

4. The back focus in GH4 is fantastic! GH4 UW focusing is as easy as 1-2-3

 

Can't wait for my next trip to R4 later this year, and as they used to say: It's not the equipments! But the man behind it!

 

Anyhow without further a do, here's my clip and thanks for reading my rambling above:

 

And here's Nu's video took at the same trip:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you mean you use hook most of the time in current?

I used hook to stabilized my self underwater. So most of the time, I found a good spot, hooked my self, and press the shutter button. Being "stuck" on a hook I guess your shot will just be static, good for macro shot but less so for WA.

 

1. My footage is less stable. Bear in mind we both shoot the same GH4, without IS. Yet almost 80% I say mine was shaky. I considered my buoyancy control is ok, but not in the current filled water of Komodo.

 

2. We shoot WA most of the time, and Nu's clip can get up close and personal with the object. I used hook most of the time but I observed that Nu were free and somehow can manage the current to his advantage. Case in point was where we shooting Manta at Karang Makasar (Manta on the Moon), the current were about 3-4 knots, while I was fighting with one hand on the hook and the other on the camera Nu was free roaming and get close and personal with the Manta. My footage was just side view of the manta swimming in the current

 

Two points:

Stability takes time to develop. Let me compare it to a racing car driver. Most people, with a bit of guidance, can get a car around an empty race track. Why can racing drivers do it multiple times faster alongside other fast-moving cars. After years of practice and experience, the race car driver's perception of the world expands to include the car. Yes, his brain builds a map of the outer edges of the car as if it was an extension of his own body - just like his fingers but further away. He can't "think" or "calculate" his way through a narrow gap at 300kmh, his brain just "feels" that the car will clear the gap. After shooting video for long enough, the camera becomes an extension of the body. Your hands, wrists and arms "mentally fuse" with the camera and you instinctually feel where it needs to be pointed and how it needs to be adjusted for small movements of current. Of course, large unexpected buffets by the the current will overcome the muscles ability to adjust. But you get the point. Spend every chance you can handling the camera underwater. Eventually your perception will expand to include the camera. Your muscles will do the work without you needing to think about it.

Secondly, in most currents, shooting video with a reef hook is challenging. Instead of flowing with the water, you are being bounced around on the end of a short string. Every eddy in the current is getting transmitted straight into your body and through you into the camera. So, it's preferable not to use a reef hook when shooting video. Get down low and use the natural topography to avoid being blown away e.g. behind a bommie. Of course, don't risk yourself and don't damage marine life. If the currents are too strong, and you must use a reef hook for safety, a springy one connected near your belly is better, find a place where the current is somewhat slowed and smoothed by the bottom topography, then establish an aerodynamic profile so you are flying "hands-free". But, it's not easy.

I know that a lot of "tourist divers" love the flying currents of Komodo but the strong currents are not the more conducive to good video. When I was there last, I specifically planned the trip around half-moon when the currents are milder. Then, for dives in the Straits, I worked with the Dive Manager to plan many of the current-prone dives around slack water. Of course, they have to cater for all customers so you will find yourself flying through Shotgun wondering how to avoid crashing your camera into something...

Regards

Peter

 

Two points:

 

Stability takes time to develop.. [message deleted]

Point well taken Peter. Whilst I can purchase the "pro" level equipment, one just can not purchase the "pro" level skills.

BTW we were there during full moon. So the current was quite strong. Yet I "envy" how the pro, in this case is Nu, handle the current. Getting very low down without damaging the marine life, being stream line against the current, and if the current was "too strong" they still can manage and come with a good footage still.

Anyhow, need to add those dive log numbers more and stop upgrading equipment