LekicINC 0 Posted November 25, 2007 There is a thread on photographers, but it would be interesting to hear who are people's favorite videographers as well. Is there a David Doubilet of the video world? I thought of this because I thought it was crazy how little credit went to some of the camera men and women for the Blue Planet/ Planet Earth series. Anyway, I would be interested to hear on what you have say. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussiejosho 9 Posted November 25, 2007 There is a thread on photographers, but it would be interesting to hear who are people's favorite videographers as well. Is there a David Doubilet of the video world? I thought of this because I thought it was crazy how little credit went to some of the camera men and women for the Blue Planet/ Planet Earth series. Anyway, I would be interested to hear on what you have say. Matt Howard Hall, Stan Waterman, and David Hannan get my votes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeanB 19 Posted November 25, 2007 Well for me Dean Burman !!!! His videos suck...But he's one hunk a chunk of burnin love !!! Woohoo...Yeah...Come on....Wooooooo !!!! Sex pigeon... Dive safe Anonymous...B Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjspeck 3 Posted November 26, 2007 Howard Hall, Chuck Nicklin. I also like the work of whoever shot/edited the Cousteau Ocean Adventures series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick Hope 151 Posted November 26, 2007 A few pro names spring to mind... Peter Scoones, Doug Allen, Howard Hall. Amongst non-full-time pros I really like Leandro Blanco's work. Apart from his fantastic camera work, his editing is great and he even does his own music and voiceover. And usually his films have a strong environmental message. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Douglas 16 Posted November 27, 2007 Howard and Michelle have certainly earned their accolades. Leandro Blanco's work is just incredible to me, not many make me envious of their editing techniques and Leandro is the first who comes to mind. Steve B) But Dean is right, how can we leave him off the list, or Mark Thorpe, the real Drew and the fake Drew or Nick Hope? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scuba_SI 39 Posted November 27, 2007 Well for me Dean Burman !!!! His videos suck...But he's one hunk a chunk of burnin love !!! Woohoo...Yeah...Come on....Wooooooo !!!! Sex pigeon... Dive safe Anonymous...B Now, where is that ignore button.... People wih small 'equipment' dont count Deany Weenie A lot of obvious names there. My vote goes for a chap caled Gavin Newmann, does a lot of stuff with Doug Allan, and most importantly is a nice bloke to dive with and not in the slightest bit difficult. He even has the decency to answer a video camea query from the Antarctic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pakman 0 Posted November 27, 2007 (edited) Sex pigeon... ?? must be a West Midlands thing... now back to the voting... Howard Hall Edited November 27, 2007 by pakman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SimonSpear 65 Posted November 27, 2007 I think everyone mentioned so far would be on my list as well. Peter Scoones, Howard Hall, Doug Allen, Bob Cranston, Chuck Nicklin, Stan Waterman are all legendary. I'd agree what people have said about Leandro Blanco's films. Clownstruck in particular had me godsmacked with the editing and post production. It was unbelievably good, outstanding. But don't forget that there is a hell of a lot of talent here on wetpixel too. Given the time, equipment and budget then I can think of at least 10 people from here that could be right up there in the big leagues. Cheers, Simon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wagsy 0 Posted November 28, 2007 Yes I know for a fact that if I had the money/budget/sponsorship I would kick arse Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CamDiver 5 Posted November 28, 2007 I appreciate the great work of many but I don't personally idolize anyone. The tools to work are one thing but knowing how to use them is another. Pro equipment offers better quality at default settings than inferior cameras but thats what you pay for. An aesthetically pleasing shot isn't necessarily a technically demanding image depending on the environmental conditions. Vision I would say is the key to nice work. The interpretation of a scene and the depiction of that in a way out of the mainstream........and if all that bollox temporarily blinds you then you can watch the latest on my Blog to reset to default!! hehehe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeanB 19 Posted November 28, 2007 Nice thoughts....Marky... As you noticed I didn't mention anybody apart from myself and then I said I suck !!!! Up yours simon it may be small but you wouldn't want it shoved up.....you know...Ha,ha... I met Leandro at Antibes and we had a chat about all that goes into films except camerawork as I write the music etc myself and appreciate the time / hardwork involved...Nice man... Anybody who isn't stuck up their butts living in me,me,me world is cool in my estimates Dive safe DeanB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LekicINC 0 Posted December 1, 2007 It seems there is some consensus Hall is one i expected. I personally, am a huge fan of Doug Allan. I think the stop he does in the arctic is really top notch. I wasn't expecting anyone to idolize, just wondering who is appreciated among the talented people we have here at wetpixel. On another note, still curious if there are other names and wondering how about individual pieces of work that have insipired you guys? Blue planet and Howard Hall imax seem like the obvious ones. Any less known ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronscuba 4 Posted December 1, 2007 I have a stupid question. The stuff I see on Discovery Channel, Blue Planet, Planet Earth, UW DVD's, etc.. How much does the videographer get involved in the production and editing ? All of it, some of it, or is the videographer acting more as a cameraman ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Douglas 16 Posted December 1, 2007 For the majority of stuff, the videographer is just that. Editing is done elsewhere by someone else. Keep in mind however, that since this is documentary stuff where you are never guaranteed of getting the shots, the shooter still has to go by the shot list and hope all is gotten. Some footage is actually set up. In a very early film by Howard, in an attempt to get lobsters molting, he had a bunch of bugs topside in a cage. When he thought they were ready to molt, he would bring them down and start shooting. Guess his timing was a bit off as only Michele got some stills when Howard was still topside. But you are talking a apples and oranges when you compare shoots by Howard or Bob Cranston with million dollar budgets as opposed to shooters at our level. For me, the hardest thing is thinking of a hook for a story, something different that is not just a travel log. Been there, done that and it gets old and boring. Some of the so called top tiered folk never touch an editing NLE and have no interest in it. I don't know how much editing Howard actually does but I do know he is proficient in FCP. Steve B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CamDiver 5 Posted December 3, 2007 No Idolizing going on here: Paul Atkins Michael Pitts Bob Cranston Howard Hall Mark Hannan Peter Lambardi Charles Maxwell Doug Allan Peter Scoones In no order of preference, all at the top of their game. BUT more importantly all will need replacing in due time!! Cheers, Mark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew 0 Posted December 3, 2007 Mark, I'm sure they all appreciate you calling them OLD! Btw, do you mean Peter Lamberti of South Africa? Pete L is not getting older, more bald yes but I think he'll be around for awhile. I think a lot of times the camera guys are limited by a shot list from the producers. I mean how glamorous or exciting is it shooting a guppy? Luck also plays a huge part in it for location shoots. I remember a certain bunch of misfits shooting for NatGeo (you know who you are!) who waited for 3 weeks and got absolutely nothing because the subjects didn't show and play. It was especially tough since they were just a few miles away from some of the most spectacular stuff happening but missed out. The situation was desperate as the budget tightened down, went further to an even more remote location and got lucky in dirty water. Same thing for what I consider to be the best shot of one of the guys on Mark's list. He was there at the right time, and he had just managed to jump on someone else's boat for that day cos he didn't have a boat that day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeanB 19 Posted December 3, 2007 He's obviously working with Peter... Would you call half of these people videographers anyway...wouldn't that be an insult to Cinematographers... If anyone makes the slightest 'positive' change in peoples attitudes towards our oceans with their films then i salute them... that to me is a real inspiration.. Dive safe DeanB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonny shaw 16 Posted December 4, 2007 (edited) Well said Deano!!! Edited December 4, 2007 by jonny shaw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CamDiver 5 Posted December 4, 2007 Hey all, Drew, I never called them OLD directly, the dynamic here tends to have a younger reader base. Suggesting a target to aim for by reinforcing that there are attainable goals is a motivational asset I reckon. But come to think of it they are, for the most part getting on,........get the show reels compiled guys, start sending them out. OT - Limbatus groups numbering in tens now just off Aliwal. Mobbing behaviour seen to deter Tigers coming in for food. Will be out there as of four or five days from now. Just doing all the testing etc for the CC units and also waiting for a replacement control for my video housing. Baggage handlers, thanks for the bent Iris control shaft on my Z1 Gates Housing! Dean, me old china, hope you aren't impressing the chicks with that shiny thing on your mantle!! Have you scratched over the name plaque yet? hehehe. It would be interesting to hear opinions regarding at what point one transitions from a Videographer to a Cinematographer? Is it down to the cameras used or the diffusion platform of ones work? Cheers, Mark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick Hope 151 Posted December 4, 2007 Leandro's "One for All" was never discussed on Wetpixel as far as I know but it impressed me even more than his previous work. Stan Waterman's voiceover is nice but I really liked the intimate "Marlon Brando" version from the artist himself. For a short underwater movie viewed as a whole (footage, editing, music, V/O, message), this is about as good as I've ever seen. Most u/w stuff that appears on the net I'd like to think that I could do myself, one fine day, with the current in the right direction. But when I saw this, I really wasn't sure How do I link to a podcast? It's Episode 47 on Mary Lynn's Divefilm Podcast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew 0 Posted December 7, 2007 Leandro's editing work is fantastically visual. But the topic is cameramen. That is a different breed of guys who don't even bother about editing, just the shot list and how they envision it. Completely different in my eyes. I'll show you what I mean in Phuket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeanB 19 Posted December 8, 2007 Hey all,Drew, I never called them OLD directly, the dynamic here tends to have a younger reader base. Suggesting a target to aim for by reinforcing that there are attainable goals is a motivational asset I reckon. But come to think of it they are, for the most part getting on,........get the show reels compiled guys, start sending them out. OT - Limbatus groups numbering in tens now just off Aliwal. Mobbing behaviour seen to deter Tigers coming in for food. Will be out there as of four or five days from now. Just doing all the testing etc for the CC units and also waiting for a replacement control for my video housing. Baggage handlers, thanks for the bent Iris control shaft on my Z1 Gates Housing! Dean, me old china, hope you aren't impressing the chicks with that shiny thing on your mantle!! Have you scratched over the name plaque yet? hehehe. It would be interesting to hear opinions regarding at what point one transitions from a Videographer to a Cinematographer? Is it down to the cameras used or the diffusion platform of ones work? Cheers, Mark. Sorry mark... but the golden flipper is a great sex aid....Don't ask.... You get a distinct look when quoting videographer compared to cinematographer...yes i think its down to the equipment used at the time... what will you call yourself when your shooting RED....well, Mark !!!.. ha,ha.. i don't do titles...just filmmaker...then i'm humbled by others...what can you do ??? we are bound buy our shortcomings and bank balances... Dive safe DeanB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew 0 Posted December 8, 2007 Well if you want the industry definition, cinematographer(the person who does the cinematography) isn't just about the camera work but also the person who works on the 'look' of the entire film, including costumes, sets, production design etc. With certain sets for macro and movies, I suppose you could apply that to the underwater realm. Haven't seen a movie shot entirely underwater yet and they still call the camera operator the camera man. Confused? Even the industry has different ideas. ASC would encompass camera work underwater as part of the DP's control. Deep Sea 3D names Howard Hall as DP, and camera operator was Bob Cranston. So to keep it simple, I suggest we stick to camera operator/man, the guys who work the grind in the water at the time. Realize that editing can make mediocre clips look great (and great clips look bad!). However, you cannot deny the ability of someone who sees a scene as it unfolds, anticipates an creatures response in and out of frame etc. Often that sort of freedom isn't allowed in documentary work, so many times you don't see how good the camera work can be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeanB 19 Posted December 8, 2007 I concur... And for once I understand what sifu Drew is talking about.... Dive safe Dean(always a student)B Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
