| All Scuba Divers know what an amazing place the | | | | instructor answered all that I threw at him. I'm |
| underwater world is. But have you ever tried to | | | | certain that his hints and tricks saved me from |
| explain your passion to non-divers? Words simply | | | | making many frustrating mistakes that I would |
| cannot do justice to what we experience when | | | | otherwise have made. |
| we dive. Even a photo fails to convey the fluid | | | | I chose the Similan Islands for my training dives |
| beauty of, say, a manta ray as it glides over | | | | because they have the best visibility in Thailand |
| your head. Only video can truly capture your | | | | and the most fish life. Our first dive was on an |
| diving experiences and now, thanks to high quality | | | | easy, shallow reef so that I could take my time |
| modern video cameras, producing professional | | | | and get used to handling the equipment. Once my |
| quality underwater movies is within anyone's | | | | instructor was happy that my buoyancy control |
| reach. | | | | was ok, something that's absolutely vital to taking |
| The PADI Underwater Videographer Specialty | | | | decent shots without damaging the reef, we |
| Course teaches you all you need to make a | | | | began to practice various shooting techniques. I |
| movie that you'll be proud to show to friends and | | | | filmed everything and anything, I was so excited. |
| family. From choosing the right system for your | | | | I'd been told that the Similans were regarded as |
| needs, maintaining and handling the equipment, | | | | some of the world's best diving and I'd have to |
| professional shooting techniques and editing, it's all | | | | agree. There was just so much life there and I |
| covered in this 2 day course. The typical course | | | | remember thinking to myself, I hope the |
| includes 3 dives that can be done at any of the | | | | instructor has plenty of spare cassette tapes. |
| world famous Phuket diving sites and our | | | | During our surface interval we reviewed what I'd |
| experienced video pro' can recommend the best | | | | shot and talked about what I could improve. On |
| sites so that you get the best shots. | | | | the second dive I was a bit more focused. I |
| Student's view: | | | | slowed down and felt like I was getting the hang |
| I'd wanted to try underwater video since I first | | | | of it. For the third dive we developed a basic |
| started diving but wasn't sure where to begin. | | | | storyline for the dive which I directed and shot. |
| There's so much information about it on the web | | | | Later I found that having this plan added some |
| and so many different bits of kit available that I | | | | continuity to my shots. |
| was baffled. I decided that I needed some expert | | | | In the evening we downloaded my footage onto |
| advice so I enrolled on the PADI Underwater | | | | a laptop. Everyone in the dive shop wanted to |
| Videographer Specialty Course. | | | | have a look at what I'd filmed and I must admit |
| The course consisted of some initial theory where | | | | that I was pretty nervous about their reaction; |
| my instructor went through the pro's and con's of | | | | after all, this was only my first attempt. However, |
| different equipment configurations. He'd used | | | | I was pleasantly surprised by the results and |
| various different brands of cameras, housings, | | | | flattered by some of the positive comments |
| lights and so on over the years and his | | | | from the others. After a little editing, adding a |
| experiences were enlightening. He showed me | | | | few effects, titles and a soundtrack to the |
| how to care for the equipment and how to | | | | footage we were ready to burn my masterpiece |
| prepare it all for a dive. We also discussed | | | | onto a DVD. It was nice to have something that I |
| techniques for diving safely with a video camera | | | | could take home with me, and although I doubt it'll |
| and tips for better handling underwater in | | | | be showing on the Discovery Channel any time |
| preparation for my training dives. | | | | soon, it's a wonderful reminder of a great course! |
| I had a lot of questions about everything and my | | | | |