Underwater Videography Courses and HD Underwater Video - Thailand

Welcome to the World of Oceans Below!

Oceans Below Professional Underwater Videography Courses and HD Underwater Video Production Training is located in Koh Tao, Thailand and founded by 2 experienced PADI & BSAC Dive Instructors who continue to pursue their true passion in diving...

Thanks to our extensive underwater videography diving experience, knowledge and passion for filming marine life, we are able to present a large collection of diverse High Definition HD underwater video Stock Footage that you can access for use in your own video productions.

Oceans Below Underwater Videography is Koh Tao's pre-eminent videographer training facility. Whether you're interested in joining the ranks of Koh Tao's professional divers and videographers or you're looking to expand your knowledge of marine filming and post-production, we offer professional-level underwater videography courses.

We offer our filming and editing services for long term or short term cooperations including: promotional videos for dive shops, resorts and dive live-aboards as well as souvenir videos and teaching aid videos, documentaries and feature-length films. Oceans Below can coordinate all aspects of video production - from start to finish, producing land based footage and hd underwater video.

Oceans Below- Underwater Video Training Center Films MASSIVE Bullsharks on Koh Tao!

Written by Aidy
Monday, 19 October 2009 14:08

This morning Andrea, who has now long finished her BSAC Professional Underwater Video course as well as the full paid internship, went out diving with my girlfriend Delphine and me to Chumphon Pinnacle in search of the Bull Sharks.

Bull Sharks are back at Chumpon Pinnacle

Everything went to plan. We were diving off the the Koh Tao Easy Divers boat and reached the site bright and early. As we jumped in and dropped down over the main pinnacle, we slowly made our way along the west side of the site, swimming on to Barracuda Rock. Just as we came around the west end of the rock, straight in front of us were three big, female Bulls just circling. The biggest was close enough to 3 meters long! Beautiful!

Jenkins Whip-ray on White Rock

Andrea has just bought an Aquatica Wave underwater housing for her camera and was lucky enough to have it pointing in the right direction as we moved closer. It was a great dive. I'm so happy to see these majestic creatures back in our waters. On the way back to Koh Tao, we stopped in at White Rock for the second dive. I was lucky enough to find a Jenkins Whip-ray that seemed to like nothing more than swimming around and performing for the camera. It was a perfect end to a great morning's filming!

Oceans Below Underwater Video Productions Welcomes back the Bull Sharks!

Written by Aidy
Tuesday, 13 October 2009 08:47

The Pro Video team at Oceans Below is happy to announce the return of the Bull Sharks to the waters of Koh Tao. Darius, who's been here for 11 years can remember a time when it was unheard of to see Bull Sharks around Thailand, but about 8 years ago, they suddenly showed up and have been around off-and-on periodically, since then. They move to deeper waters to breed, but the last time they were spotted was about a year and a half ago, leading some to think they may have been caught by fisherman to support the barbaric shark fin soup industry.

Photo by Jenny O'Flanagan

Some of us were here when they initially came and we were involved in a big debate about whether they were, in fact, Bull Sharks. That debate was settled a few years back when pictures were submitted to a few different shark experts from around the world and it was confirmed.

Now they're back and Open Water students, Divemasters, Instructors and of course the Videographers on Koh Tao are excited to get in the water at Chumpon Pinnacle. Filming these sleek bad boys underwater is a thrilling experience and we hope they stick around! They offer so much to our movies and the general mood around the video studio is lifted whenever we get some footage of these amazing creatures.

Hopefully, they'll be here for awhile as we'll be welcoming 4 new BSAC Professional Underwater Video Trainees in the month of December. So if you're reading guys, get ready for some of the coolest, most heart-thumping dives ever during your internship!

Pro Video Team from Oceans Below Win 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place in Koh Tao Photo Competition

Written by Administrator
Sunday, 06 September 2009 09:53

The Marine Conservation Branch of the local environmental action group, Save Koh Tao, recently held a photo competition open to all Koh Tao residents. The team from Oceans Below did exceptionally well with our Pro Video team winning the top 3 spots!

The photos will be printed in the upcoming issue of Sabai Jai magazine and the 2010 edition of the Save Koh Tao Calendar...

Pro Video Trainer Aidy Kaye's 3rd Place photo

Pro Video Staff Angie Kerridge's 2nd place entry

And Aidy's winning shot...

About Oceans Below Underwater Videography - Koh Tao, Thailand

Elisabeth [Co-owner & Video Training coordinator]
Elisabeth is an experienced PADI & BSAC Instructor who has been living and working on Koh Tao for 6 years. Her drive has seen The Company rise to the very top of the industry. She began her underwater video career filming freedivers at the island’s only freediving academy, and can hold her breath until she passes out. Elisabeth has the amazing capacity to never be wrong… about ANYTHING… EVER!! In addition to Oceans Below she owns Monsoon Gym and trains there religiously. She is truly one bad-ass Muay Thai bitch. In her free time she hunts sharks to film and screams at her business partner - a crumpled, broken, shell of a man.

Aidy [Co-owner & Video Training coordinator]
Aidy has also been on the island for ages and is an experienced PADI & BSAC Instructor. His expertise in IT and his proficiency in editing programs form the backbone of The Company. He has been working as a videographer for close to 7 years on Koh Tao and his time spent here has resulted in a complete lack of social graces. Aidy is currently undergoing a mid-life crisis as evidenced by his attempts to resurrect his Ska band and his professional skate-boarding career. In his free time he enjoys wake-boarding and having a social beer (or 12) with his many friends.

Amber [Marine Videographer & Staff coordinator]
Amber came to Koh Tao a few years back to train as a PADI Divemaster only to discover that her true passion lay in underwater videography. She has been working for Oceans Below since May 2008 and is one of the most talented and dependable members of The Team. In her free time she races motorbikes and is Koh Tao’s reigning ‘King of the Dinghy’ champion. Amber has recently undergone a dental procedure to sharpen her teeth and is often spotted lurking in the shadows waiting to bite unsuspecting passersby.

Cecile [Underwater Videographer]
Cecile joined The Team in December of 2006 and her consistency and professionalism is a valued asset to The Company. Her easy smile and open heart make her a joy to have around despite the fact that she speaks a totally incomprehensible and at times annoying language. She once owned and operated a successful events and marketing company in Paris which she recently sold, allowing her to spend her days slumming on the island with us mere peasants while not really having to get her hands dirty. In her spare time she likes to “…eat cake.”

Gill [Marine Videographer]
Our newest member of staff, Gill is easily one of the most popular, positive and outgoing of the fulltime Oceans Below Team. Gill is a natural people-person whose movies are continually improving. She came to us from filming at the the island's Flying Trapeze Adventure where she filmed the local dare-devils. She's soon off to study further pointless circus arts (lion-taming, miniature bike-riding and sword-swallowing) before she returns to take up her position with us in January 2010.

Underwater Videography Courses – Koh Tao – Thailand

Whether your looking for creative scuba diving career options or simply want to learn a new skill and receive a qualification. videographer training is for you:

Oceans Below underwater videography courses are recognized by diving industry insiders as Koh Tao’s best, most comprehensive videographer training courses available. Oceans Below trainees are working in underwater videographer jobs at dive shops all over the island, and are distinguished by their experience, professionalism and creativity.

During all underwater videographer training you will have the opportunity to work with a number of Koh Tao dive shops. You’ll be using high quality HD underwater video cameras, Gates housings and PC or Mac computers when editing your video production.

For those who excel in our underwater videography courses, we can offer a job placement at Oceans below which has existing contracts with many dive shops on Koh Tao. We also have numerous contracts on Thailand’s west coast and can help place you there, allowing you to access the great diving of the Andaman Sea.

Summary of Underwater Videography Training Courses:

Train to become an Underwater Videographer on Koh Tao, Thailand

2 Week Underwater Video Training
Become an underwater videographer in Thailand’s leading dive destination! While you are living on the beautiful island of Koh Tao, you will be trained to capture the stunning underwater world and people’s diving experiences. Oceans Below will equip you with all of the skills needed to produce professional underwater videos. Your training will include the use of high-quality video cameras, Gates Underwater Housings, and PC or Mac computers. Join our highly experienced team of professionals for the 2-week Underwater Video Training program.

You must be a certified PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent) with 50+ logged dives It is possible to add on the scuba training courses before the start of the Underwater Videographer Training if you have no prior dive experience. Oceans Below can organize your dive training and accommodation through Koh Tao’s Premiere 5-Star IDC Center.

2 weeks video training
Get hands-on experience in the making of top-quality underwater movies. Learn to edit your movies on Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro and get the satisfaction of selling your videos to students and fun divers.

Available Dates
The Underwater videographer Training Course is available year-round. It is possible to arrange start dates according to your schedule.

The best time of year for a chance to see Whalesharks is close to the monsoon period, so April/May and October/November are the best months. Nothing is guaranteed, however. May to February are the best months to get close encounters with the Bull Sharks. April, May and June are the easiest months to spot Green and Hawksbill turtles. Throughout the year you’ll see Moray Eels, Stingrays, Scorpion Fish, Octopus, Sea Snakes, Boxfish, Jacks, Groupers, etc...

Health Requirements for underwater videographers
If you are looking to participate in this program you need to ensure that you are reasonably fit and free from any conditions that may prevent from or be a danger to you while diving. Before coming to Thailand, it is best to consult your doctor and get a signed Medical Statement.

4 Week Underwater Video Internship (only available after the 2 week course)
Once you have completed your training, you will get paid work opportunities in up to 5 different scuba centers associated with Oceans Below to help fund your active social life on the island. The location is the perfect place for you to stay and enjoy your Video Training Internship. With white sand beaches, a comfortable mix of Thai and Western culture and a laid-back atmosphere, Koh Tao has everything for the underwater adventurer!

You must be a certified PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent) with 50+ logged dives. Being a competent scuba diver is critical as you will be filming PADI Instructors with students in training and you will be expected to look after yourself underwater. It is possible to add on the PADI Divemaster Training Course or even the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) before the start (or even during) the Underwater Videographer Internship.

6 week underwater videography program
The Internship includes an additional 4 weeks of practical training and a chance to fully develop your own unique style – all under the guidance of Koh Tao’s most respected videographers. During the entire program you’ll be earning money for each video that you sell! By the end of this course, you’ll have gained all of the knowledge, skills and confidence to be fully employed in the field.

Available Dates
The Video Internship is available year-round. You may begin any time after your 2-week Video Training Course. The approximate length of the internship is 4 weeks, depending on customer numbers and the season. However, this schedule can be extended to fit your itinerary and needs. Oceans Below will give you as many opportunities as possible to gain experience.

Oceans Below Underwater Video Training: Muck Diving in Koh Tao!

Written by Aidy
Thursday, 17 September 2009 14:54

As Andrea reaches the end of her BSAC Professional Underwater Video course and prepares herself for the Oceans Below video internship, I thought it would be nice for us to go out with the new HD underwater cameras a few more times so she can get some more practice with the close-up, macro shots. So we headed out on the Koh Tao Easy Divers boat, the Sea Hawk. Our destination for the day was Mango Bay and Twins, which are two of my favorite dive sites around Koh Tao for getting up close and personal with some of the little critters out in the sand.

We found three seahorses at Mango Bay, all different sizes, from about 2.5 cm up to 17 cm. Very cool! This was a great chance for Andrea to hone her skills with the manual focus, as it can be a bit tricky to master on such small animals.

Checking out the quality of the new HD cameras at Koh Tao's Mango Bay

Shooting the shooter...

Then over at Twins we found another seahorse but went hunting for something else to film, as we’d filmed enough of them for one day. Settling down next to an anemone with a large family of saddleback clownfish living in it, I started to search in the sand around it.

Aidy and his pipefish...

Unexpectedly, I spotted a devil scorpionfish, a young double-ended pipefish, two different kinds of shrimp, and a flounder. It was great to see so much life in such a small area. Andrea got on with filming the pipefish while I got some lovely close up shots of the flounders eyes, and some great footage of the shrimps.

Flounder...checking me out!

We spent the whole dive lying in the sand with these little guys without another diver in sight. Another great day in "Amazing Thailand"!

PADI Underwater Videographer Specialty Course (3 or 5 days)

The 3 or 5 day course is designed to introduce student divers to the selection, use and care of underwater video equipment and the basic principles of underwater video production.

The advantage of taking the 5 day course is that we're able to take more time developing your underwater videography skills, plus include extra information - a detailed breakdown is given below.

To qualify for the Underwater Videographer specialty course you must be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver or have a qualifying certification from another training organization.

The PADI videography course includes:
• The selection, maintenance, care and handling of underwater video equipment.
• Safe diving practices while diving with a camera
• Shot types and camera moves - Developing a storyline
• Making a short underwater movie with music
• The basics of post production
• 4 (or 6) training dives with a video camera

The course fee includes video camera rental, video manual, PADI certification card, 4 dives, use of computers and your final DVD with music.

Here are the two options [3 or 5 day videography course]:

3 Day PADI Underwater Videography Course [10,000 baht]

Day 1 - morning - Orientation and on land camera practice

Day 1 - afternoon - 2 training dives, filming underwater

Day 2 - morning - Check previous days footage and introduction to video editing

Day 2 - afternoon - 2 more training dives, filming underwater video

Day 3 - full day - Video editing

5 Day PADI Underwater Videography Course [15,000 baht]

Day 1 - morning - Orientation and practice on land with camera and housing

Day 1 - afternoon - 2 training dives, capturing hd underwater video

Day 2 - morning - check previous days footage and introduction to video editing

Day 2 - afternoon - 2 training dives, filming underwater video

Day 3 - full day - video editing

Day 4 - morning - 2 training dives, filming hd underwater footage

Day 4 - afternoon - Begin editing footage

Day 5 - full day - editing footage, DVD production and public screening!

Shark Underwater Videographer Training Course

Koh Tao, one of Asia’s premiere shark-diving destinations is the setting for an adventure like no other. The waters surrounding this idyllic island in the Gulf of Thailand offer a seasonal home to some of the most awe-inspiring and misunderstood creatures of the deep- the mighty Bull Shark and the graceful Whale Shark. The video team at Oceans Below has logged hundreds of hours filming these magnificent animals and has exposed many of their secrets. Today, as conservation efforts are failing them, the sharks’ key role as balancers of the marine ecosystem is only just being uncovered. Time is ticking away on the chance to observe our planet’s most spectacular sharks in the wild.

An unprecedented opportunity has arisen for people with a passion for the natural world. Five days of training will introduce you to the art of video production allowing you to memorialize these wonderful creatures in your own underwater movie.

The team of Oceans Below will introduce you to the use of the most advanced high-definition cameras and housings and train you to use the latest professional editing programs.
This is more than a holiday. It’s a chance to witness the last of a dying breed and document their majestic beauty for future generations.

Oceans Below Underwater Video- Help Neded to Identify an Odd Fish!

Written by Aidy
Wednesday, 26 August 2009 15:42

A few days ago I was out filming a new promotional video for Koh Tao Easy Divers. I took Stuart- who's finishing up his professional underwater videographer internship- along with me to try out Oceans Below's newest toys, the Aquatica HD Wave video housings and Sony HDR-XR500 cameras. We had a nice dive at Japanese Gardens and then moved round to Twins.

After shooting a bunch of underwater shots for the video, we headed off into the sand just north of the dive site itself. We were in search of the sea horses that live out there, as they would be great subjects for a bit of close up HD macro work.

We found the sea horses and spent about 15 minutes filming them. We then swam off north to see what else we could find. After about 10 min of swimming over sand I spotted something moving quite strangely. On closer inspection it turned out to be a fish that I have never seen before. It was moving like a juv sweetlip- dancing around aimlessly- but the long fin on top of its head rules that out. It also did not stay in one spot like a sweetlips would instead flickering all about the place.

Have you seen this fish?

I always love to see something new out there and this is definitely new to me. But I could use some help identifying this little guy. He was only about 10-12 cm or so and it was tough to catch a good close-up shot of him because he just wouldn't sit still! These photos were also from the video camera we had out for a road test rather than the Canon G10's that we use for photography, so the images are a bit grainy, but I'd love to hear from anyone who may have an idea.

Oceans Below Underwater Video News: Name This Fish!

Written by By Gill
Saturday, 25 July 2009 07:19

Just had another reminder that being an underwater videographer on Koh Tao is a job that never gets old! A few days ago while out filming an open water course on the Easy Divers boat at Chumphon Pinnacle, we came across the most interesting looking jellyfish. Swimming elegantly around the top of the pinnacle, the jellyfish came so close to the school of batfish that it might have thought it was one! Shaped like a rectangular box , it had 4 long yellow tentacles. Neither I nor the dive instructor whose group I was filming had seen one of these before, and luckily, I was able to capture it on film.

Can you identify this jellyfish?

After heading back to the Oceans Below offices to edit my movie, all the staff and video internship trainees had a thorough search in the various fish guides and over the internet to try and identify the odd creature. We ended up drawing a blank. The jellyfish starred in the open water video that evening, and many of the dive center's PADI Divemasters and Instructors came to have a look and see if they could identify the new specimen. It's amazing that with the collection of scuba diving experience that we have from around Thailand, nobody can agree on what type of jellyfish it is. So, here's a photo. If anyone has any ideas please let us know!

Pro Underwater Video Trainee Course Report

Written by andrea
Wednesday, 09 September 2009 06:15

Oceans Below's latest Pro Video trainee, Andrea, writes of her experiences only a week into her 2-week program. Afterwards, she'll remain on Koh Tao to complete her internship where she'll be filming in the various dive shops along with our full time staff...

Halfway, But More Than Half Full!

"Well, here I am less than half way through my Underwater Videography course and already yesterday I was able to film and edit an entire piece in one day! I can't believe the arc of this learning curve! Fantastic!

I owe it all to the amazingly efficient tutelage of Aidy, who has whizzed me through the many different tried and true shots and shown me all the speediest ways to handle a professional edit. How great is it to be learning so many years of knowledge in such a short time? I'll be up and running as a professional in no time! It is so inspiring to be learning from individuals who are so passionate about their craft. When I am out diving with Aidy, I can see how interested and excited he is about filming, he can barely wait to get back to the office to see what we managed to capture.

Videographer filming a Videographer on the wreck at Tanote Bay!

This type of attitude is contagious, you can't help but be excited about the whole process. It's the coolest feeling to see a finished project and know that you did it. Wow!"

Oceans Below Underwater Video Trainee Review

Written by Leila
Tuesday, 04 August 2009 11:51

Oceans Below has recently become a BSAC Accredited Videography Centre. This was a great bit of news not only in the sense that it's added to the quality of instruction at Oceans Below on Koh Tao, but also great for its trainees...who now get the 'Professional Videographer' title upon completion of the 2 week videography course as well as the videography internship.

My internship finished just as Oceans Below became accredited, so I got to be the first one to get a fancy new BSAC card. It was a great honour, indeed. Everyone was especially excited as the card came hot off the press...but none moreso than me! I feel incredibly satisfied with the level of instruction I've received at Oceans Below as well as with the amount of experiences I've garnered. I highly recommend coming to Thailand and doing a video course with Oceans Below to anyone who wishes to pursue a career in underwater videography!

Oceans Below Underwater Videography Thailand - Underwater Video Projects

Miami Ink goes diving!

Written by Aidy
Wednesday, 20 May 2009 16:55

We got a call a few weeks ago about a job for The Travel Channel.

So we naturally thought it was going to be the usual stock footage sale and some commissioned shots for who knows what?

When the producer came into the office for a meeting, I found out that we would be shooting underwater video for a TV show involving the guys from Miami Ink on the Discovery Channel! http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/miami-ink/miami-ink.html

Image: Us and Miami Ink on the Simple Life boat

They are in the process of filming a new show about tattoos from around the world. So they are travelling from country to country filming local artists along their way. As they were coming to Koh Tao, they thought they should write diving into the episode, as it's what this island is all about. So that's where we came in.

We got them set up in Simple Life Divers with our friend Nicki to instruct them. It was a great day out on the boat.

Image: The Miami Ink guys head out diving

Image: Filming aboard the dive boat in Koh Tao

The guys were all really cool and easy to work with. We also had our mate Rex out with his speed boat to serve as chase boat.

Image: Rex's Chase boat with film crew

The whole thing was a great experience, and it was nice to be doing something a bit different.

From Dawn Till Dusk

Written by Elisabeth
Saturday, 02 May 2009 17:30

Image: Funky Mantis Peacock Shrimp

Results from the prestigious 19th Belgian NELOS underwater photo- & film festival in Antwerp which in 2008 had a huge number of submissions from around the world have recently been announced.

My movie 'From Dawn 'til Dusk' was awarded 8th place! The short compilation movie highlights a day in the underwater world around Koh Tao from early morning until the shark’s come out to play around sunset!

The original music was provided by a fantastic composer named Kevin McLeod. The movie can be seen on our facebook group Oceans Below and is also featured on all the Sea Tran ferries coming to Koh Tao from the neighboring islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and the mainland.

TAT [Tourism Authority of Thailand] Underwater Video Project

Written by Aidy
Wednesday, 08 April 2009 17:04

Some time ago we were asked to film some specific underwater video shots for the guys at Studio pro design, in conjunction with a project they were working on for the TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand).

They also bought some of our stock footage for the film. It's been a long time since we heard anything from them and had almost forgotten all about it.

Then we got a call today to let us know that they have put the finished piece on You Tube. It will be officially released at a later date to be used for promoting tourism in Thailand.

If you look closely, near the end of the piece, the snorkeller swimming up to the anemone is our very own Elisabeth. Ha ha. Fame at last.

High Definition HD Underwater Video Stock Footage

Professional Underwater Video
Creating your own presentation? In need of specific images? Oceans Below has a wide range of stock footage to catch the attention and imagination of your viewers.

With SD footage and HD underwater video from a number of tropical dive sites throughout Southeast Asia, our professional underwater video library is sure to have that perfect shot for your production.

• Bull Sharks
• Turtles
• Coral Reefs
• Koh Tao, Thailand
• Scuba Divers
• Sea snakes and moray eels
• Whale Sharks
• Groupers
• Barracuda, jacks and trevellys
• Thai Boxing

Oceans Below Underwater Videography training– Koh Tao – Thailand

Video Production Facility

Oceans Below is based on tropical Koh Tao, Thailand – an excellent base for our HD underwater video production and underwater videography training activities.

Serving many of Koh Tao’s busiest dive shops, Oceans Below has a custom built video production facility. Based in the Sairee Beach plaza, Oceans Below is fully equipped to provide the best possible product for our customers:

• High performance PC computers for SD and HD underwater video editing and production

• Internal local area network, simplifying file sharing

• HD and SD video cameras, and robust Aquatica & Gates underwater housings

• Camera servicing desk

• Air conditioned

Oceans Below recently invested in some “HD WAVE” Aquatica High Definition Video Housings for the NEW Sony HDR-XR500 camcorder.
Built with high quality solid aluminum, keeping in mind total ergonomics and underwater balance, its compact design makes the unit extremely user friendly. The housings have a 30? viewing angle on the large side LCD viewfinder for optimal filming capabilities. Giving access to almost all key camcorder functions, including the critical Manual White balance function; it will give our trainees the ability to create the best possible HD video underwater.

With the Aquatica Housings Oceans Below uses the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500, a 120GB hard-disk-based AVCHD camcorder which integrates the first of built-in GPS for geotagging video and photos and a new Exmor-R back-illuminated CMOS sensor: the technology, which flips the layers so that the photo sites are above the electronics where they can get more light, prove an effective way to improve low-light performance.

If you’re considering getting involved in underwater videography, make sure you check out our underwater videography training. Our mix of experienced staff, custom built facility and quality SD and HD underwater video equipment mean you couldn’t be better placed.

To find out more about our underwater videography training, either drop us an email or if you’re based on Koh Tao, come and visit us in our Sairee Plaza office. We’re normally there from 10:00 am till 18:00 [when we’re not in the water!].