Footage captured by Jean Rydberg
Cover image captured by Gary Burns
Ever wondered what sea turtles eat? Some of them chomp down on coral sponges! We came across this cute one during a dive in Grand Cayman and he clearly didn't mind being photographed.
The Gear
Shot on Sony a7C II in the Ikelite 200DLM underwater housing. Looking for something more low profile? Find out which underwater housing is right for your Sony a7C II or Sony a7CR: Choosing an Underwater Housing for the Sony a7C II or a7CR.
Clips [0:29-0:39] were lit with the built-in video lights of dual DS232 Strobes. All clips were shot on the fly using auto white balance and the standard picture profile (rec.709).
Custom White Balance
White balance is one of the most important settings in underwater video. For better results when shooting available light, we recommend capturing a custom white balance underwater.
Also, choosing to shoot in the S-Log 3 profile will give you more flexibility to color grade the footage in post production. Enhance the deep blues, bring out color, contrast, and clarity in your underwater video by shooting in S-Log 3. Learn more about color grading your S-Log 3 footage in Adobe Premiere.
Want to Learn More?
Making the transition from underwater photos to video? For any camera system there are plenty of ways to improve your footage: settings, lenses, accessories. But no matter the camera there are a few rules to follow that will help make your transition from still photos to video much smoother. Check out our Quick and Dirty Tips for Shooting Underwater Video.
If you're ready to dive a bit deeper into underwater video, learn more about frame rates and shutter speed to up your game. Ikelite video producer Logan Wood helps you figure out if you're shooting at the right frame rate for your underwater footage: Setting the Right Frame Rate and Shutter Speed for your Underwater Footage.
Jean Rydberg, daughter of Ike Brigham, became President & CEO of Ikelite in 2006. Prior to that, she wisely pursued a degree in Astronomy & Astrophysics to prepare herself for the challenges of running a technology-driven manufacturing business with global distribution. Jean fully embraces the need to travel outside of her hometown of Indianapolis to experience good diving. She believes that any camera is capable of amazing results in the right hands, and anyone can become a great photographer given the right advice. When she's not working she's spending time with her husband, cats, and two daughters (though not necessarily in that order).
Additional Reading
Choosing an Underwater Housing for the Sony a7C II or a7CR
Custom White Balance for Underwater with Canon Mirrorless Cameras [VIDEO]
Sea Turtle Portraits with DS230 Strobes
Turtle Photography Underwater Camera Settings
Color Grading S-Log 3 Sea Lion Footage in Adobe Premiere [VIDEO]