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Book Review: Action Camera Underwater Video Basics (2021)

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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 In a constantly evolving market, recommending specific models would soon be out of date and is avoided.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.

Marine Life & Conservation

PADI partners with global skincare brand Medik8

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PADI®’s global non-profit the AWARE Foundation™ is teaming up with leading sustainability-focused skincare brand Medik8 to save our most critical ecosystem on the planet – the ocean.

As the new corporate sponsor of the PADI AWARE Foundation’s 2023 Community Grant Programme, Medik8 will be supporting four grassroots conservation projects that range from protecting megafauna like turtles and whales from entanglement to fuelling hands-on citizen science initiatives like seagrass restoration.

The PADI AWARE Community Grant Programme is designed to award ocean protection initiatives that are in direct support of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development in five distinct categories: coral restoration, developing marine protected areas, eliminating marine debris, reducing the effects of climate change, and protecting species threatened with extinction like sharks and turtles. In 2022 PADI AWARE™ dedicated nearly one-quarter of its public funds to empower local communities to take action for our shared blue planet.

“Last year we launched the Grant Programme to directly support PADI Members and NGOs driving meaningful conservation projects, often who have little or no funding support,” says Danna Moore, PADI AWARE Foundation’s Global Director. “This year, due to the collaboration with Medik8, we can provide more resources directly to local communities that need them most.  Medik8 is a like-minded organisation that shares our science-based, sustainability-driven, and community-oriented values – and will be a strong partner committed to helping us create positive ocean change.”

Medik8’s support of the PADI AWARE Community Grants programme is in line with their ethos of making a positive impact through driving sustainability strategies with everything they do – from reducing carbon impact and waste to investing in being an ethical business with direct social investments. Their connection and deep love for the ocean is rooted in Medik8’s founder Elliot Isaacs, who is a PADI Master Scuba Diver™.

“As a brand, we strongly believe that increased social investment will allow us to make a more significant mark on wider society,” says Alexandra Florea, Head of Sustainability at Medik8. “Working with grassroots organisations who understand exactly what is needed on the ground will mean we can generate the greatest impact. We chose PADI as our long-term charitable partner because, like us, they put science at the heart of everything they do to bring about positive results.”

The PADI AWARE Grantee projects Medik8 is sponsoring fuel the impact of local citizen science initiatives driving global change like Kosamare Seagrass Restoration in Greece, a grant recipient from 2022 and now 2023. The other three grantee projects have also been selected and range from marine debris removal to climate change mitigation – and are set to be announced in the coming months.

The PADI AWARE Community Grant programme is open to all PADI Dive Centres around the world, along with locally-based NGOs and charities working on marine conservation issues that operate on a budget below $1 Million USD.

“With incredible partners like Medik8 who are equally committed to creating positive ocean change, a swell of hope for our shared blue planet is becoming stronger with every project we support – further proving that the ripples from local action really do have a global impact for us all,” says Moore.

The next round of proposal submissions is on 4 April 2023, with more information at www.padi.com/aware/grant-funding-criteria.

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Diving with… Ben Williams and Kay Van Leuven, Sunchaser Scuba, British Virgin Islands

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In this ongoing series, we speak to the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…


What is your name?

Ben Williams and Kay Van Leuven

What is the name of your business?

Sunchaser Scuba

What is your role within the business?

Owner/operator

How long has the business operated for?

32 years in total and we have been here since 2010, working for the previous owner, then bought the current company from him starting in 2015.

How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?

Ben since 2003 and he is a PADI MSDT and SDI instructor
Kay since 2010 and she is a PADI MSDT and SDI instructor

What is your favorite type of diving?

Ben loves pinnacle dives; Kay loves shallow coral dives

If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you, what would it be?

We offer valet diving for a trip of your lifetime. Personal service is key in our business, together with small groups.

What is your favourite dive in your location and why?

Ben favorite dive is the Invisibles because of the amount of marine life; Kay favorite dive is the wreck of the Rhone, because of it’s historical value, marine life and the amount of coral growth on it.

What types of diving are available in your location?

We offer reef and wreck diving, rendez vous diving with your charter boat so we can pick you up straight off your boat.

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?

Being able to dive every day and show the underwater world of the BVI

What is your favorite underwater creature?

Ben’s favorite is sharks and for Kay it is dolphins.

As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?

Ever rising supplier prices.

Is your center involved in any environmental work?

Yes, we do treatment for STCLD, shark sightings and beach clean ups

Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?

The hotel we work out of is still recovering from the 2017 hurricane so more places to stay will be coming along in the future. We have an amazing local non profit called Beyond The Reef in the BVI who are always making new artificial reefs.

How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?

We feel it is a great industry and it is very rewarding being able to teach people to dive and therefore increase awareness. One of the biggest changes that would be great to change is to be able to make things cheaper so it is more accessible to our local kids/divers and therefore increase the number of divers in our local community.

Finally, what would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?

The BVI is very underrated and untouched, making it a great destination for both novice and
experienced divers.

Where can our visitors find out more about your business? 

www.sunchaserscuba.com
info@sunchaserscuba.com
+12833442766
https://www.instagram.com/sunchaser_scuba/
https://www.facebook.com/sunchaserscuba/

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