Using Underwater Video to Capture the Ocean's Life

A lot of videographers are passionate about the water and want to immortalise its splendour on camera. Producing visually interesting footage requires some basic expertise, but it can be a gratifying endeavour. You'll need a good video editing programme, ideally with easy-to-use controls. There are numerous applications accessible, some of which are free.

Make-Up

It takes more than merely aiming the camera at an intriguing topic to capture an underwater movie. Your movies can stand out by utilising composition techniques like zooming in on details and applying bokeh to create blurred backgrounds. Another important factor in underwater photography is colour. Light is swiftly absorbed by the water, resulting in a muted and less vivid colour palette. For instance, in the finished image, oranges become greenish tans while reds appear brown or black. Fuller colours can be restored by employing strobes or adding a filter to the lens. Underwater photography can be substantially improved with proper lighting. For instance, angling the lights outward and away from the camera helps lessen backscatter and equally light a bigger area.

Luminance

For underwater videographers to get the most out of a session, lighting is essential. It can reduce backscatter and draw attention to key components in a scene. Proper lighting placement can also highlight vivid colours and give a picture more depth. Water rapidly absorbs light, which causes a large change in the spectrum. As reds travel through the water, they turn brown or black in the camera's final image, while oranges take on more subdued green tones. Focusing and composition can be improved by employing a white light close to the subject to bring back its actual colours. Moreover, it can get rid of the blue cast that frequently shows up in photos taken underwater. Strobe lights' brief flash duration can also be used to stop motion for dramatic photography.

Angles of the Camera

As long as they are housed in safe housing, several different types of cameras can now be utilised underwater. These include high-end digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and point-and-shoot cameras with basic exposure controls. You may often get the most fascinating photos simply by shifting your point of view. Changing up your lens selection can also offer you a distinctive appearance. For instance, you can use a macro lens to get close-ups of marine life or a wide-angle lens to catch more of the surrounding area. For underwater cinematography, buoyancy control is essential because it lets you move the camera in the desired direction without moving silt or producing backscatter. Additionally, having two strobes helps to light the subject from both sides and prevent unnatural-looking shadows, especially in wide-angle images.

Consistency

In addition to the typical difficulties of recording in a hazardous and unforgiving environment, underwater videography poses a distinct set of difficulties for the cameraman. In order to maintain clear and steady shots, stabilisation is essential, especially while filming a moving subject. To get better underwater video, you can utilise handheld stabilisers and gimbals. You can also add waterproof microphones to your films to record audio. Purchasing this equipment can have a significant impact on the finished result. Use slow-motion and time-lapse effects to evoke a mysterious undersea atmosphere. Document unusual animal behaviours, such as cleaning, feeding, or mating rituals, to highlight the marine ecosystem's inherent dynamics. Finally, to give your movie more visual interest, try out different camera angles and settings.

Assessment

For underwater video, achieving natural-looking colour can be a challenging task. Underwater, where the water acts as a filter to scatter light and absorb lower energy regions of the spectrum, cameras observe the world differently. While blues and greens flow through without any problems, reds and oranges are rapidly absorbed. Because of this, using the appropriate white balance setting before shooting or editing is required. By doing this, you can get your camera to display images that look more realistic by adjusting the way it perceives colour. In addition to possessing the appropriate camera gear, you must be totally dedicated to your work as an underwater videographer. As you establish your experience and reputation, be ready to work for little to no pay at first. Since this is a specialised subject, achieving your maximum potential will demand internal desire and 100% effort.