Wetlook World Forum

I have been toying with the idea since the late 90's. My advice is to invest in professional lighting, and light temperature (you can not mix them nor lighting types) You can never have enough lighting. Self educate and practice with the camera and lights/ shadows, fill lights, and the "eye light" and back lighting which adds more realism and a 3d look to your videos. Natural lighting at indoor pools can be very bright, but know what type they are (sodium vapor, halogen, etc)  Always AVIOD fluorescent lighting since the camera sees it as green. The eye/brain makes adjustment for this, so we see it as white light, but it is in fact GREEN. Also for example, lower temperature lighting would be sunset, which the camera (and the eye) sees as red, so color adjustments must be made since the camera will exaggerate the red hues. Higher temperature lighting is natural sunlight, however shade is higher (contrary to logical thinking) since natural shade is blue. So, if you were to have a model walk from sunlight into the shade, you'll have all kinds of hue changes and over/under exposure shifts (never use the point and shoot auto features on your camera since the camera takes time to focus/adjust color/ f-stop settings to changing lighting conditions) Auto focus is definitely amateur, and almost NEVER focuses on what you want in focus.

This brings me to my pet peive, which all producers are not doing enough of, which is the close up. The usual is the eye of the camera in a full shot , then looking up and down, up and down, followed by a brief zoom close up which almost invariably goes out of focus. So my advice is to know your hardware, know how to use it, know your lighting. This takes practice, and best to audit a college class on videography to learn how to do it like a pro. The close ups are seriously lacking in wetlook. The active/subjective shots via a moving camera is also seriousy lacking in wetlook. Most producers are still over-using the zoom (better to move up with the camera with only 4x zoom already dialed in to prevent ":wide angle" distortion of the image. The propoer lens for the application is  another point any videographer must know, The longer lens is best for close up shooting, a wider lens (short lens) better for long shots. The long lens can be used for active subjective without using the zoom, so you'll have a more stable image with little to no shake, also no distortion of the image.

As I mentioned, I have almost become a producer on several occasions, the family factor stops me. Back in 1998, I had the girls lined up who were more than happy to do a wetlook shoot for FREE! What fun that would have been. My partner was to be a Hudson Valley painter experienced at still photography, and what fun that would have been. My style would be ( if I ever do this) dressing up in more expensive clothing heels, nylons, business attire, formal dinner or night club. There would be perhaps less frolicking and splashing, more self indulgent themes of the girl being more reserved and just savoring the moment. It has been my observation, true wetlook ladies (who get wet alone because they like it) are not usually raucous about it, rather more of a quiet, relaxing event for them. In real life, I have observed just a small sampling, one being friend's girlfriend under the influence who quietly submerged herself clothed with shoes on, in her pool, and then asked all of us to join her. (we should have) At the little sandy beach on the Hudson River, Cold Spring NY, many hikers go to the river to cool off, usually more quietly, just enjoying the effects of the water. One group of young men and women went in clothed, dressed nicely. The last girl in was hesitant, and certainly I was trying to be as disinterested as possible, I looked in her direction gave a nod, and said "go for it". She did and loved it. This would have been great to video since the after scene would have been prolonged, as the ladies adjusted their wet clothing, one shook like a dog, cute and funny, and then settled in the sand to dry off in the sun still wet. The last lady in was wearing her shoes, dress pants and nylons. She was observing her wet shoes while turning the ankles, etc, and this is very sexy. Lastly, my wetlook style would include more prolonged out of the water footage, since this is also seriously lacking by most wetlook producers. The typical video contains not nearly enough out of the water scenes, and then abruptly end within 15 seconds after she emerges, not nearly enough time to take in her response, and all the beauty of her wet clothes.

Lastly a successful producer should have a way with the ladies. Any discomfort, or apprehension will manifest in the video, and so it will appear too rehearsed. (and she will not be enjoying the experience) I feel too many producers over-direct, others not enough, or annoying instruction which sometimes occurs just at a time the model begins to appear comfortable, and doing something interesting.. over directing can be a major distraction. The lady should know what she's expected to do in advance, but not dictated DURING the session. (there are always the exceptions) Being a good director is a skill and an art.