UWOL #35 - Upstairs and downstairs - by Trond Saetre and Hege Johansen at DVinfo.net

Trond Saetre · September 2nd, 2015, 01:50 AM

This was a joined project between my friend Hege and myself.
The idea was to see what creatures live near the water surface, both above and below.
As so often before, time and weather had their own opinions about how and things should be done. But, a challenge must live up to it's name, so a challenge it was.
Should have had more varied footage, but ran out of time.

The underwater footage was filmed with a gopro, hanging in a line. Made it hard to control the camera movments, resulting in shaky footage. Tried the "warp stabilizer" effect in Premiere, but that made it even worse. Any tips and ideas for how to get more stabilized underwater footage with the gopro, is most welcome.

Feedback: Level 1, Bring it on!

(Notice that this video is not part of the judging since I made the challenge theme)

Geir Inge · September 5th, 2015, 08:41 AM

I like your film Trond.
Thank you for sharing.

Paul Wood · September 6th, 2015, 05:49 AM

Thank you Trond and Hege - a nice little example of sea life at the shore, and well put together with the commentary and music.

I had similar problems with a GoPro in my film about the brook, and solved it by using a carbon fibre mic boom pole I have - its not ideal, and you have to dry it well after, but it works pretty well as a low cost solution. Another way would be to hang a weight below the camera to keep it stable on the line.

I look forward to seeing more entries from Hege in the future!

Mick Jenner · September 6th, 2015, 06:11 AM

Trond and Hege, thanks for posting, good to see collaborations. Its only by experimenting that we can improve.

Mick

Hege Johansen · September 6th, 2015, 08:25 AM

Thank you, Geir Inge, Paul and Mick for the feedback! Hopefully I will get time to make my own entry next time.

Trond Saetre · September 6th, 2015, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Wood

...using a carbon fibre mic boom pole I have - its not ideal, and you have to dry it well after, but it works pretty well as a low cost solution. Another way would be to hang a weight below the camera to keep it stable on the line.

A boom pole would definitely prevent the gopro from spinning/panning on its own will, like it did for us when filming the fishes and shrimps. Thanks for the tip!

Marj Atkins · September 7th, 2015, 11:38 AM

Apologies for posting here so late. Welcome to UWOL Hege and hope you will enjoy your time here making some interesting videos.

I enjoyed your little film although I wish it had been longer and that you could have got in a bit closer to some of those interesting looking creatures. Seems like you did not have good weather.

Trond if you are a bit handy you could make something like this. I found an old window cleaner with an aluminum telescopic handle and I adapted it for the GoPro: We hammered the end flat and drilled a hole in it. We also rounded the end so that the camera could be used at different angles. It fits into the standard fitting of the GoPro waterproof case. I can stand on a bridge and reach the water when it's fully extended. At the opposite end I glued on a round level like the ones used for leveling a caravan. It is useful if you want a level shot.
We also made a short one that is easy to carry in the camera bag for use in shallow water like fishponds.

Trond Saetre · September 7th, 2015, 01:06 PM

Thank you, Marj!
The tip about the window cleaner bar sounds like worth trying out. Would have helped a lot!

Used my XM300 to film the "no name" creatures, and I had focusing issues when trying to get closer. I agree with you, close ups would have improved the film a lot.

September 2nd, 2015, 01:50 AM	#1
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	UWOL #35 - Upstairs and downstairs - by Trond Saetre and Hege Johansen This was a joined project between my friend Hege and myself. The idea was to see what creatures live near the water surface, both above and below. As so often before, time and weather had their own opinions about how and things should be done. But, a challenge must live up to it's name, so a challenge it was. Should have had more varied footage, but ran out of time. The underwater footage was filmed with a gopro, hanging in a line. Made it hard to control the camera movments, resulting in shaky footage. Tried the "warp stabilizer" effect in Premiere, but that made it even worse. Any tips and ideas for how to get more stabilized underwater footage with the gopro, is most welcome. Feedback: Level 1, Bring it on! (Notice that this video is not part of the judging since I made the challenge theme) UC35 - Upstairs and downstairs - By Trond Saetre and Hege Johansen on Vimeo

September 5th, 2015, 08:41 AM	#2
Geir Inge Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Larsnes, Norway Posts: 1,343	Re: UWOL #35 - Upstairs and downstairs - by Trond Saetre and Hege Johansen I like your film Trond. Thank you for sharing. __________________ Geir Inge B. Brekke Visit me at: https://vimeo.com/gibbfilm

September 6th, 2015, 06:11 AM	#4
Mick Jenner Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: West Sussex England Posts: 843	Re: UWOL #35 - Upstairs and downstairs - by Trond Saetre and Hege Johansen Trond and Hege, thanks for posting, good to see collaborations. Its only by experimenting that we can improve. Mick

September 6th, 2015, 08:25 AM	#5
Hege Johansen New Boot Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Vikna, Norway Posts: 12	Re: UWOL #35 - Upstairs and downstairs - by Trond Saetre and Hege Johansen Thank you, Geir Inge, Paul and Mick for the feedback! Hopefully I will get time to make my own entry next time.

September 7th, 2015, 11:38 AM	#7
Marj Atkins Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Johannesburg South Africa Posts: 768	Re: UWOL #35 - Upstairs and downstairs - by Trond Saetre and Hege Johansen Apologies for posting here so late. Welcome to UWOL Hege and hope you will enjoy your time here making some interesting videos. I enjoyed your little film although I wish it had been longer and that you could have got in a bit closer to some of those interesting looking creatures. Seems like you did not have good weather. Trond if you are a bit handy you could make something like this. I found an old window cleaner with an aluminum telescopic handle and I adapted it for the GoPro: We hammered the end flat and drilled a hole in it. We also rounded the end so that the camera could be used at different angles. It fits into the standard fitting of the GoPro waterproof case. I can stand on a bridge and reach the water when it's fully extended. At the opposite end I glued on a round level like the ones used for leveling a caravan. It is useful if you want a level shot. We also made a short one that is easy to carry in the camera bag for use in shallow water like fishponds. Attached Thumbnails

September 6th, 2015, 05:49 AM	#3
Paul Wood Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 485	Re: UWOL #35 - Upstairs and downstairs - by Trond Saetre and Hege Johansen Thank you Trond and Hege - a nice little example of sea life at the shore, and well put together with the commentary and music. I had similar problems with a GoPro in my film about the brook, and solved it by using a carbon fibre mic boom pole I have - its not ideal, and you have to dry it well after, but it works pretty well as a low cost solution. Another way would be to hang a weight below the camera to keep it stable on the line. I look forward to seeing more entries from Hege in the future!

September 7th, 2015, 01:06 PM	#8
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Re: UWOL #35 - Upstairs and downstairs - by Trond Saetre and Hege Johansen Thank you, Marj! The tip about the window cleaner bar sounds like worth trying out. Would have helped a lot! Used my XM300 to film the "no name" creatures, and I had focusing issues when trying to get closer. I agree with you, close ups would have improved the film a lot.