Video review

by Brian Pitkin

Reproduced from in focus 51 (Mar. 1994)

Underwater photography made easy by John Bantin.

A Malthouse Production. Written & Directed by John Bantin.Video photography by Stuart Murray & John Bantin. Edited by Stuart Murray. Price £:20.00

John Bantin will be known to readers of DIVER magazine for his numerous articles and reviews on anything from four-wheel drive vehicles through camera equipment to torches and to many more for his involvement in the DIVER instructional videos. His latest production, "Underwater photography made easy", sets out to explain, in easy to understand steps, how anyone can make sucessful photographs under water.

The 45 minute video is sponsored by Sea & Sea Ltd and concentrates on their amphibious Explorer and Motormarine 11 cameras and the range of accessories for these and the amphibious Nikonos camera.

I found the introduction more like a commercial for a holiday in the Red Sea than an underwater photographer's guide, dwelling as it does on the many attractions to be had at Eilat and its environs. However, this is a perhaps a subtle way of gaining the viewer's interest before the more serious business of taking photographs is discussed.

Basic snorkelling equipment and their use, including ear-clearing, are demonstrated. The would-be SCUBA diver is advised to seek professional instruction. Prior to the course proper, the differences between air and water from a photographic viewpoint are explained.

The course includes sections on film, loading film and batteries, exposure, focusing, flash, close-ups, wide-angle lenses, wide-angle & flash, composition and unloading film, with numerous important references to o-ring maintenance. Various Sea & Sea camera systems are shown in use under water and 35 mm slides are used to illustrate points made.

The in-water demonstrations of such things as backscatter, selective colour absorption and close-up framing are a powerful way to appreciate the difficulties of photography under water.

There are a few minor oversights. For example, a prime lens is fitted to a Nikonos camera before the o-ring is inspected and lubricated. Moreover, it wasn't until it came to rewinding the film that I realised the camera's shutter release would have still been locked following Bantin's advice

On several occasions camera equipment is shown being washed under a very fast flowing tap. This might be acceptable for an amphibious camera with a fixed lens and limited controls like the Explorer, but 1 would certainly not recommend it for all underwater photographic equipment, particularly a Nikonos camera as there is a danger of unseating the lens. It is far safer and more effective to soak your gear in fresh water for a while, operating the controls gently, to remove any salt that may have accumulated on the delicate o-rings.

On the subject of flooding, no advice is given on what to do in the event of water getting in where it shouldn't. I know that, when this happens, most photographers leap up and down, wail loudly and curse the name of their retailer or service centre despite the latter's innocence. However, this does nothing to help the situation and some practical advice on what to do would not be out of place on this video.

Underwater photography is not a skill you can expect to master by reading books or watching videos. Although they can help, you need to get underwater, shoot film and learn from your results. "Underwater Photography made Easy" provides a useful introduction to the subject for new Sea & Sea camera owners and for the price of a few rolls of film is a worthwhile investment. The new Nikonos user, however, will find the video of limited help.