Experience filming Bioluminescence Algae ?

[Ian D]

Hi all,
I have an upcoming shoot where I am to film people at night interacting with glowing algae. The people will be on a boat and it will be an above water shoot. I will be using an Epic with not sure of lens yet, hopefully some primes around t2, 800 - 1000iso range. The shoot will be happening off the coast of Oman. Searching the web has not given me any great info on the light output of clustered glowing algae as yet but if anyone knows of any interesting links I would much appreciate it, also testing in location is too difficult due to distance.

The question I have as I have only seen glowing algae never shot it, will it be possible to register the glow on camera? Are there any tips to help add to the glow eg: underwater side/ back light possibly adding more glow to the algae ? I'm thinking diving torch with spun or diffusion a metre or two under water.

I understand the algae needs to be agitated in order for it to glow, any advise for this eg: splashing water with paddle, quick blast of out board engine ?

Also I would like to add some light to the characters just to make them out using light panels at a low dim setting, would this interfere / overpower the algae glow.

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and experiences on this subject.

Kind Regards
Ian D Murphy

 

[Tom Hamilton]

Hi Ian,

All of the experienced underwater shooters hang out on this thread, someone there should be able to help;
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?87443-The-Gentleman-s-Underwater-Bubble-Blower-Thread

cheers

 

[Ian D]

Thanks Tom

Cheers
Ian