The Gentleman's Underwater Bubble Blower Thread

[Pawel Achtel]

Hey Jon,

Yes, it was great to have your help on the island! There was enough work there for a team of six and we managed just two of us....until you left, LOL....some pictures from that trip attached....:beer:

 

[Michael Hastings]

I lived with them, shared the space, got to know every single individual in the colony, experienced first hand the joys of the birth and sadness of the death. I learned how to interact with them, often by trial and error, slowly gained their trust and respect. I have been in countless situations when my life or health depended on the sea lion. I was never let down. I've experienced sharing, carrying and empathy from a wild animal. I filmed the birth - for the first time ever. Twice.

Pawel:

That is the important part - thanks for sharing. One of my (minor) regrets is that although I have had several opportunities to do those long term expeditions the pressures of family and business never allowed me to take advantage of them - so I'm always a bit envious of those who have done it. The hit and run adventures are cool, but never quite get the full story or experience that you can get with total immersion.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Thanks Mike for your nice comments. Yes, these trips take toll on both family and business, but they are also a part of who I am and I can't live without them: always planning the next trip thinking of my furry family out there in the southern ocean.

You may remember my previous avatar picture:

Most people when they see it think it was a "magic moment" captured just in time. It wasn't. It was shot on que. I simply asked my assistant, Gavin, if he could snap this picture, I went and made the sea lion (an 8-month old pup we nick named "Turbo") do what I wanted him to do. Gavin made just 1 shot and this is it.

Of course, Turbo is totally wild, never been offered food by humans. But, that doesn't mean I couldn't cuddle him every morning or offer him my hand to chew on, which was his favourite activity despite putting over 150 holes in my dry suit and my hands all bleeding. He also liked to show off his skills balancing a pebble on his nose and bringing it back to me every time I threw one.

Anyone filming wildlife and particularily seals would know that this is simply not possible in a casual encounter. It requires full trust and some degree of co-operation. It was a steep learning curve, it still is, but above all I feel greatly priviledged to have experienced such trust and close relationship with them.

It doesn't happen overnight. It takes time. But it is one of the most memorable and valuable relationships of my life. It's part of who I am.

So, you can imagine my excitement at the thought of going back to the seals later this year.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

Marlin 1, Fisherman 0 :bath:

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog...inks+a+fishing+boat+well+something+like+that/

 

[Rudi Herbert]

Pawel,

You've had, or had, that photo with the seal pup as your avatar since you joined the forum basically? So you've been working on this for a few years now, thus, to have any indication that you'll be able to finish this work and bring it to the world must be very encouraging. Congrats to you and I wish for it to come to fruition. Having spent a few months many years ago working with a colony of animals I know how difficult, time consuming and hard a task it can be. However, if you end up not getting financing from any big network, do whatever it takes to finish this on your own. Good luck!

 

[Rudi Herbert]

Some grabs from our recent trip to the springs and caves in Northern Florida, all shot on R1, 4K 2:1, Tokina 11-16, mostly wide open. No color correction whatsoever.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Many thanks for the encouragement, Rudi!

Your cave shots look interesting. Is the water layered with tannins there?

 

[jim kozmik]

got it thanks..I will no more after a few meetings..budgets always budgets..probably end up with gopro..koz

 

[Rudi Herbert]

The river is full of tannins and a great spectacle forms when the river water comes against the crystal clear water from the springs, they collide and a myriad colors explode, specially when the sun is high up.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

Standing by Jim, maiden voyage and baptism of the housing is in two weeks at Bimini for hammerheads. Cheers.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

A very pretty, I think, Tiger grab, taken from an Amphibico Rouge/Epic 48 fps stream.

 

[Rudi Herbert]

Nice shot Tom,

Just came across this, is not new but it bears no less impact nonetheless: www.midwayfilm.com

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Just came across this, is not new but it bears no less impact nonetheless: www.midwayfilm.com

Wow, very powerful and well executed trailer.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

Beautiful trailer. Always wanted to visit Midway, tough to get permission from the US military though.

 

[Matt Ferraro]

We went there back in 2003 to do a 2hr special for KQED/PBS on the whole chain. Even back then there were multiple agencies working on the clean up and protection of those islands. Say what you will about the film we made, but we were lucky enough to get it in front of President Bush and Mrs. Bush. Soon there after he used his Presidential power to turn the whole chain into a National Monument. I'm not at all saying it was because of our film since there were already people working hard on conservation, but I like to think we had a part in the protection. It feels good to see that the work we do actually makes a difference sometimes. Unfortunately the greatest challenges out there are from the hundreds of tons of marine debris heaped onto the reefs and beaches every year, not something easily stemmed. It is my sincerest hope that Chris Jordan's film can bring about a positive change.

 

[Greg F]

I shot this the other day in horrid viz, it was my 4th time underwater with the RED.

Getting the focus is what is challenging to me at this point however it seems to allow me far greater flexibility.

A very pretty, I think, Tiger grab, taken from an Amphibico Rouge/Epic 48 fps stream.

I am thinking of running 60fps for the rapid movement around sharks, whats your thoughts on the matter? How is 48fps working?

 

[Tom Hamilton]

We went there back in 2003 to do a 2hr special for KQED/PBS on the whole chain. Even back then there were multiple agencies working on the clean up and protection of those islands. Say what you will about the film we made, but we were lucky enough to get it in front of President Bush and Mrs. Bush. Soon there after he used his Presidential power to turn the whole chain into a National Monument. I'm not at all saying it was because of our film since there were already people working hard on conservation, but I like to think we had a part in the protection. It feels good to see that the work we do actually makes a difference sometimes. Unfortunately the greatest challenges out there are from the hundreds of tons of marine debris heaped onto the reefs and beaches every year, not something easily stemmed. It is my sincerest hope that Chris Jordan's film can bring about a positive change.

thanks Matt,

have always been fascinated by Midway, not only the turning point of the Great Pacific war, would love to film those wrecks, but the gyre of death for all of those birds, turtles, and whatever else. It's an astonishing thing to realize how closely connected we all are, one dirty syringe dumped onto a beach in Taiwan ends up killing an Albatross 2000 miles away.

I really do think the work we do has value, carry on all, this fight is only just beginning.

 

[Rudi Herbert]

I really do think the work we do has value, carry on all, this fight is only just beginning.

What we do does have a value and march on we will, but the battle is already lost. Humanity will destroy this planet and will stop only when it is already too late, no doubt about that.

 

[Johnny Friday]

Anybody---Rudi? know of a Beamsplitter for DSLR to shoot Timelpase underwater ? I had thought we might be able to do this with Epics, but seems that we cannot shoot TL with Epics when sync'd.....

 

[Greg F]

Anybody---Rudi? know of a Beamsplitter for DSLR to shoot Timelpase underwater ? I had thought we might be able to do this with Epics, but seems that we cannot shoot TL with Epics when sync'd.....

Sounds like a feature request to me, should see if can get them to implement it in the next firmware?