Bits and bobs

I film using a GoPro HD camera which gives much better results than the old GoPro wide low-res camera. But if you're thinking about buying one for underwater use be aware that at present the GoPro HD does not focus properly underwater. For underwater use the camera requires a flat lens rather than the dome lens that it ships with, currently you have to purchase a 3rd party modification to achieve this (or do a custom job yourself). When I contacted them about this they said I was on my own as they don't advertise it as an underwater camera which is amusing as they clearly state it's waterproof to 180ft.

I went with this goforfocus.com its a simple lens replacement that you fit yourself. The process is very easy and the results are excellent, making it a cheap effective solution.

I've been through several mounting set-ups as well and have settled on a modified hang-glider camera mount for my spear-gun. It has Velcro straps so is easy to fit and a movable arm allowing me to adjust the camera position quickly. I'd recommend exploring these options before shelling out the extra cash for a GoPro branded mount.

Up until recently I used a mount on top of my torch for night dives but I discovered that as the camera was facing directly down the beam of light it washed out the subject. The light reflects back from particles in the water as well and the effect is compounded if your filming straight down the beam. You get much better results if you hold the camera separately and shine the torchlight in from an angle.

I generally use Windows Live Movie Maker which is more than adequate for the little clips I put together but I ran into a couple of problems with this as well. Annoyingly you need to convert videos from MP4 to a format that WLMM can read, I settled with mp4cam2avi which does a great job batch converting to .avi format.

The next problem was (as you can see from some of my earlier videos) that WLMM kept putting a black border around my hi-res videos. I have just found out that there is an aspect ratio setting (under the “view” tab) that when set to wide-screen eliminates the problem.

Just a few bits and bobs that I hope might save someone some time!

While I'm posting here is a fun outer space screen grab I took from my last lot of footage....

The next generation.

I haven't had a dive for a while as I was surfing instead last week instead so was pretty keen to get in today despite not feeling 100%. I headed over to the south coast and saw there was a tiny bit of swell wrapping around and a really low tide. As soon as I got in the sea my fears were confirmed, lots of seaweed bits being stirred up and poor visibility.

Even in bad conditions when you get close enough to your subject (in this case about 1ft!) it still appears clear on film, however on returning and checking the footage my aiming is a little off on the close ups so a lot of the shots didn't come out :( Nonetheless I had a fun time filming some small fish and some Dead man's fingers (Alcyonium digitatum) which I've never seen before. I also found a picturesque little starfish nursery and some fantastic sea anemones as well as shoals of small Bass and Mullet.

I headed out deeper to explore one of my usual hunting spots and dived 12 meters into the gloom, to the seabed I don't normally see at higher tides. Down there I found a very spooky looking cave, I peered in but it was too dark to explore even if I was brave enough! Maybe next low tide I will take my torch.

Little did I know what an exceptional dive this was going to turn out to be! Initially I found my friendly seal basking on a rock, completely unperturbed to see me sneak past and looking very relaxed. Then I was surprised to find there was not one but two younger seals lounging nearby, they were a little more wary and regarded me cautiously if I got too close. Just a bit further along I found a much smaller pup which must be only 6 months old! I was thrilled! As I passed by she looked at me with wide eyes before slipping into the sea without so much as a splash.

Just when I had decided that would be the last I saw of her I accidentally discovered her hiding place - she was curled up in a corner under the kelp keeping a very low profile. No doubt unhappy to have been found she swam off casting a quick look over her shoulder as she went. I was keen not to scare her or pester her and let her come to investigate me, a delightful battle commenced between her caution and her curiosity. It was fantastic to see a young seal so closely! I was a bit concerned the mother might be protective but the pups are left to fend for themselves at quite a young age and mum was quite happy to sleep on the rocks nearby.



(left click to open in you tube, select high def and full screen for best effect).

I managed to get some great footage over a captivating half hour, sometimes she would peer out of the kelp watching me quietly and others she would dash around me at full speed. Seal pups have the most amazing huge limpid eyes and I was transfixed as we came face to face in the kelp, it was incredible, I'm still buzzing!

A close encounter with a Shag rounded off a great day! (click the links for full-size images).