bghazzal
Forum username: bghazzal
Posts: 252
Active years: 2020–2024
Primary forums: Video Gear and Technique, General Chat
Specialization: Underwater video, DIY rig building, macro video lighting
Community Role
bghazzal (Ben) is a Wetpixel community member active from 2020 to 2024, primarily focused on underwater video technique and gear modification. Based in Japan during part of his active period, he contributed extensively to discussions about DIY solutions for underwater video rigs, macro lighting techniques, and compact camera systems for underwater video.
Notable Contributions
Tripod System for Nauticam Flexitray
bghazzal’s most popular thread (49 replies) explored building a custom tripod system for a Nauticam Flexitray compact rig. He sought practical DIY alternatives to expensive manufacturer solutions, sparking a detailed community discussion about aluminum plate attachments, drilling and tapping tripod mounting holes, and various leg configurations. The thread drew responses from experienced builders who shared specific engineering approaches ([1]).
Macro Video Lighting Techniques
bghazzal initiated an in-depth discussion on black background and macro lighting techniques specifically for underwater video (20 replies). He highlighted the key difference from still photography: the inability to increase shutter speed due to the 180-degree shutter rule, requiring reliance on aperture control, light positioning, and snooting. He cited underwater videographers Dustin Adamson (Oceanshutter) and Marcelo Ogata (Bugdreamer) as exemplary practitioners of the technique ([2]).
Equipment Troubleshooting
He contributed to practical troubleshooting discussions including stuck clamp remedies (37 replies), where he sought solutions for a seized ball clamp on a tray handle ([3]). He also participated in discussions about choosing compact cameras for underwater video, GoPro housings from AOI ([4]), and Panasonic GH-series cameras for underwater use ([5]).
Activity Profile
- Peak years: 2021–2023
- Primary focus: Video technique and DIY rig solutions
- 18 threads started across Video Gear and Technique and General Chat forums
- Frequent contributor to equipment comparison and troubleshooting threads
Sources
- Forum thread: Any Ideas On How To Build Attach A Tripod System For A Nauticam Flexitray ↩
- Forum thread: Black Backgrounds And Macro Lighting Techniques For Uw Video ↩
- Forum thread: Stuck Clamp Remedies ↩
- Forum thread: Aoi Uh Gp Gopro Housing Announced ↩
- Forum thread: New Panasonic Gh Series Cameras Are Coming ↩
- Tripod system for Nauticam Flexitray thread (forum) ↩
- Black backgrounds and macro lighting thread (forum) ↩
- Stuck clamp remedies thread (forum) ↩
- AOI GoPro housing thread (forum) ↩
- Compact camera for underwater video thread (forum) ↩