Need help taking better snorkeling videos

[percula99]

I am going back to Maui this coming July 3rd for two weeks. While there I plan on doing some snorkeling. The last time I was there I met with little success shooting good quality videos as evidenced by the attached video I took then. This was taken at Makena on Maui. Everything seems really fast, as if watching in FF mode. I was just swimming along normally, fighting the current and pointing the camera at things I thought to be interesting. The final product leaves much to be desired. I am not using really high end equipment. I have an Olympus Stylus 850 SW 8.0 megapixel camera. Can anyone provide some guidelines for shooting video while snorkeling or some better camera settings to bring out better colors. This video seems rather gray compared to what I saw while I was there.

 

[IPT]

man, I can taste the saltwater watching that!! Not sure about the color or settings on your camera. There may be a program you can use to overlay a color enhancer layer over that, but I don't know much about video like that. Maybe someone else here does though.

One thing about video is you need to pan a lot slower than you think. You might think you are moving slow but don't forget that your video is not encompassing the view like you are. It magnifies movement speed due to it's narrow view. You should probably move at about 1/3 the speed that you think you should be moving at.

 

[Stylaster]

only thing i can think of is to move very slow so the picture doesnt jump all over. Its hard to do when your getting tossed around by the waves.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Stabalize the camera. Move slow and get close, then get closer. Cool video though. I think it is good but it could be great.

 

[IPT]

Titus makes a good point. How are you holding the camera? Hopefully not on an extended arm as you fight for bouyancy and cotrol in the water. You'll need to use on land techniques still to try and stop extraneous movement.

 

[percula99]

I am holdiong the camera in one extended hand. It is how we swim, with both arms extended in front of us for balance and maneuverability. The way we swim is exactly what is causing the bad video. I almost think I should tape the camera to my head so there would not be extra motion. :lolspin: But seriously, restricting the motion of the hand holding the camera is a very reasonable suggestion. I am not a very strong swimmer so it is instinctual to move my arms to balance myself in the water. I have thought of buying a small blow up life preserver which would help stabilize me in the water and cut down on the waving of my arms, which would cut down on the FF effect. If I could free float and not have to fight the current as much that would definitely help.