Digital Videographer Diver
The Digital Videographer Diver Course at OCD Divers teaches you how to plan, shoot, and produce high‑quality underwater video using modern camera systems and streamlined diving techniques. This course blends videography fundamentals with in‑water skill development, helping divers create stable, well‑lit, and visually compelling footage while maintaining excellent buoyancy, trim, and environmental awareness. Training covers camera setup, underwater housings, lighting strategies, shot sequencing, marine‑life approach techniques, and post‑dive editing workflows that turn raw clips into polished stories.
Whether you want to document your dives, capture marine life behavior, enhance your travel adventures, or build skills for conservation and scientific documentation, this course provides the tools and techniques needed to film confidently underwater. Graduates leave with a strong foundation in underwater video production and the ability to create cohesive, engaging final videos.
To register, select a class from the list below. If you see the message “Availability: Contact us for booking information,” click here to contact us about scheduling your class: Contact Us.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
DIGITAL VIDEOGRAPHER DIVER
Who This Course Is For
- Certified divers who want to capture high‑quality underwater video.
- Divers documenting marine life, travel adventures, or personal dive logs.
- Anyone wanting to improve stability, composition, and lighting underwater.
Prerequisites
- SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent.
- Minimum age 18, or 10 with parental consent.
What You Will Learn
The Digital Videographer Diver Course covers the full workflow of underwater video production—from planning and equipment setup to filming techniques and post‑dive editing.
- Video Equipment — camera types, controls, accessories, and video formats.
- Underwater Housings — housing types, controls, features, and leak checks.
- Dive Planning — objectives, storyboarding, and safety considerations.
- Camera Handling — viewfinder use, stability, tripod use, and point‑and‑shoot techniques.
- Shot Techniques — shot selection, timing, sequencing, and marine‑life approach.
- Lighting — natural light, artificial light, filters, and lighting systems.
- Night Video — safety, entries/exits, and low‑light camera operation.
- Editing — basic editing techniques, equipment, and in‑camera editing.
- Care & Maintenance — post‑dive cleaning, long‑term storage, and flooded‑system handling.
- Traveling With Gear — packing, flying with equipment, and renting gear.
Skills You Will Demonstrate
- Planning a video dive and setting a clear objective.
- Sequencing shots to tell a cohesive story.
- Executing safe entries, dives, and exits with video equipment.
- Maintaining buoyancy and stability while filming.
- Approaching marine life respectfully and safely.
- Editing footage into a polished final product.
- Proper care and maintenance of video equipment.
Course Structure
- Classroom session covering equipment, lighting, and video techniques.
- Land‑based workshop on camera setup and housing preparation.
- Open water dives to practice filming techniques and shot planning.
- Editing session to assemble and refine your footage.
What’s Included
- Instructor‑led training and video workshops.
- Hands‑on practice with your camera and housing.
- Open water training dives.
- SDI Underwater Video Diver certification upon completion.
What’s Not Included
- Personal video camera and underwater housing.
- Lighting systems (optional but recommended).
- Editing software (free options available).
Where Training Takes Place
Training takes place at the shop, with optional underwater videography dives conducted at:
- The Scuba Ranch (May–Oct)
- Balmorhea State Park (Nov–Apr)
- OCD Divers Trips
What Comes Next
Digital Videographer Diver pairs well with specialties that enhance buoyancy, environmental awareness, and imaging skills:
- Advanced Buoyancy Diver
- Digital Underwater Photography
- Underwater Naturalist Diver
- Marine Ecosystems Awareness Diver
- Fish Identification Diver
This specialty also counts toward the SDI Master Scuba Diver rating.
