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Video
review
by
Brian Pitkin
Reproduced
from in focus 51 (Mar.
1994)
Underwater
photography made easy by John Bantin.
A
Malthouse Production. Written and Directed by John Bantin.Video
photography by Stuart Murray and 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 and 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
and flash, composition and unloading film, with numerous
important references to o-ring maintenance. Various Sea and
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 and 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.
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