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Book Review: Action Camera Underwater Video Basics (2021)
Review by Explorers Club International Fellow and Writer Nick Lyon
We are surrounded by image recording technology, in our phones, our cars, even our doorbells! But until relatively recently, our ability to record high quality moving images underwater easily and conveniently was dependant on bulky and expensive camera systems. This is no longer the case. The GoPro camera, and subsequent models allowed all of us the opportunity to record our dives. But as with all new technology, most of us struggled to figure out how to get the best from our new cameras.
Some time ago, I was fortunate enough to attend one of Jeff Goodman’s GoPro workshops in Cornwall, UK. I knew of Jeff’s impressive pedigree and it was no surprise that the event was highly enjoyable and packed with useful information. But of course, as we all know, memory is water soluble and with every subsequent dive, I often struggled to replicate what I had learned.
Thankfully, Jeff has now released ‘Action Camera’ which is the culmination of many years working with a variety of these excellent devices. The book covers far more than simply ‘which buttons do what’. There is a welcome emphasis on the ethics of responsible filming in order to minimise our impact on the environment. The chapter dealing with equipment sensibly advises on choosing the features which suit the reader’s requirements. In a constantly evolving market, recommending specific models would soon be out of date and is avoided.
Photographic theory is rarely the chapter which most people skip to first as it can sometimes be rather laborious. Thankfully, Jeff has taken a progressive approach and as with the entire book, the subject is lavishly illustrated to enhance understanding. The practicalities of shooting in a variety of environments are also covered with emphasis on the value of thorough planning and preparation (I’m sure you know the full acronym!). This starts with getting equipment ready, but includes use of a storyboard to fully plan the shoot, as well as the techniques required to achieve the results you want. Then there’s actually producing your product and Jeff devotes a chapter to editing your film.
It could have ended there, but there are also a confined water and an open water exercise for the diver to test out their newly acquired skills and knowledge.
I was particularly glad that this is not a ‘coffee table’ book. It’s a proper hands-on manual that can, and should accompany the diver on their trips as a constant source of reference. If you have an action camera you really should have this book too.
Action Camera: Underwater video basics
- By Jeff Goodman
- Published by Dived Up Publications
- RRP: £20
- ISBN 978-1-909455-44-3
Available now from Divedup.com, and to order online and from retailers.
Shells of the World: A Natural History by M.G. Harasewych
Shells of the world is a guide to the world of marine, shelled molluscs. And what a varied and interesting world it is. Some of my favourite things to find on a dive are detailed in this book, including disco clams (or Electric File Clams as they are correctly names), the cephalopods, giant clams and sea hares. There are also many on my wish list, top of which is the Nautilus.
Each chapter provides a detailed description of the species, along with beautiful images. You can dive deeper and discover where they live, both with global distribution and the habitat they prefer. Learn about their diet, reproduction and diversity.
Having dipped in and out of this lovely book over the past few weeks, it has inspired me to learn more about this group of animals that we see on most divers, wherever we are in the world. Some of the shells are incredibly intricate and beautiful. I have always agreed with never collecting, or touching, marine life. The description of a certain set of cone shells should be a warning to those that are happy to pick up marine life! One of the cone shells has a local name called the cigarette snail. Why? Because once the venom is in your system from this animal, you only have time to smoke one cigarette before the affects of the venom are fatal!
What the publisher says:
Mollusks are invertebrate animals with a remarkable natural history and a rich fossil record, and their shells are prized for their breathtaking variety and exquisite beauty. Shells of the World provides a wide-ranging look at the incredible diversity of marine mollusks. An informative introduction outlines the lineages covered, followed by a directory section, split into classes, that profiles a broad selection of different taxa to give a sense of their sheer numbers and variety.
- Features hundreds of beautiful color photos, depicting both the live animals and their shells
- Discusses mollusk evolution, anatomy, life cycles, behavior, and ecology
- Describes unique characteristics, distribution, habitat, and size
- Provides valuable insights into the conservation of the world’s marine mollusks
- Ideal for malacologists and shell collectors everywhere
About the Author:
M. G. Harasewych is research zoologist emeritus and former curator in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, he is the author (with Fabio Moretzsohn) of The Book of Shells: A Life-Size Guide to Identifying and Classifying Six Hundred Seashells.
Book Details
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Hardcover
Price: £25
ISBN: 9780691248271
Published: 9th April, 2024
Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and 
the highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.
Abyss Duffels
Made to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.
- A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
- Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
- Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
- RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
- Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
- Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
- External zippered flap is easy to open and close
- Welded external handles make transporting a breeze
Panama Mesh Backpack
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- Density foam padded shoulder straps
- Outside wet/dry pockets
- 2 Carry handles
- Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
- Reinforced PVC bottom
For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.
Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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