U/W Videography

Most divers have a desire to bring home the sights and sounds of being underwater. Underwater video makes it possible to save our underwater experiences and share them with others. Shooting underwater video is fun, exciting, and easy to learn. The SDI Underwater Video Diver Course is designed to introduce divers to the equipment, techniques, and procedures needed to plan and shoot underwater video with maximum safety.

What you can expect to learn

The SDI Underwater Video Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Video Equipment
  • Video systems
  • Types of video formats
  • Video cameras
  • Video controls
  • Accessories
• Underwater Video Housings
  • Types of housings
  • Housing controls
  • Features and benefits
  • Selecting housing
• Recording Underwater
  • Dive planning
  • Setting the video and dive objective
  • Creating a storyboard
  • Safety concerns
• Pre-dive Equipment Assembly
  • Setting the camera controls
  • Assembling the system
  • Checking for leaks
• Video Camera Handling Techniques
  • Using the viewfinder
  • Point and shoot
  • Using a tripod
• Basic Techniques
  • Shot selection
  • Shot times
  • Putting shots in sequence
  • Approaching marine life
  • Cutting video shots
  • Surface water shots
  • Above water shots
• Underwater Video Lighting
  • Natural light
  • Artificial light
  • Light systems and power supplies
  • Lights and filters
• Shooting Video at Night
  • Safety concerns
  • Entries and exits
  • Operating the camcorder and housing controls
  • Approaching marine life at night
• Editing
  • Fundamentals of editing
  • Required equipment
  • Editing equipment configurations
  • Editing techniques
  • In-camera editing
• Care and Maintenance
  • After each dive
  • Regular maintenance
  • Periodic maintenance
  • Storing underwater video systems
  • Caring for a flooded video camera/housing
• Traveling with Underwater Equipment
  • Deciding what equipment to bring
  • Packing the equipment
  • Bringing underwater video equipment on boats
  • Flying with underwater video equipment
  • Renting equipment

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Plan dive
• Set the video objective
• Plan the sequence of shots
• Review of procedures
• Entry
• Diving procedures
• Exit
• Log dive dives
• Care of equipment
• Edit footage to follow story

Course Equipment Requirements

• Basic Scuba Equipment
• Video camera and underwater housing equipped for the video camera; optional equipment, underwater lighting system

Course Prerequisites

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent