oceanshutter

Forum username: Oceanshutter
Real name: Dustin
Posts: 514
Active years: 2011—2019
Primary forums: Video Gear and Technique, Photography Gear and Technique, Shooting Technique/Workflow/Editing
Specialization: Underwater video production, wreck photography, Canon DSLR systems

Community Role

Oceanshutter, known as Dustin, was a dedicated underwater videographer and photographer active on Wetpixel from 2011 to 2019. He used a Canon 5D Mark II in an Ikelite housing for both stills and video, later upgrading to the Canon 1DX Mark II with the Canon 16-35mm f/4L lens. Based in the United States, he was a frequent contributor to both the video and photography technique forums, sharing original films, asking detailed technical questions, and developing creative DIY solutions to gear problems.

Dustin produced a series of short underwater films titled “Rolling in the Deep,” showcasing destinations from Papua to Bali and Truk Lagoon. His macro video work was particularly praised by the community for its stability and subject behavior documentation. He transitioned from primarily stills to video over the course of his Wetpixel tenure, becoming a knowledgeable voice on DSLR video settings, white balance, frame rates, and video asset management.

Notable Contributions

DIY Solution for Stuck Housing Buttons

Oceanshutter’s most-discussed thread was “Housing buttons that stick” (40 replies), where he shared an innovative DIY solution for Ikelite housing buttons that became unresponsive at depth. He fashioned a tool from a stainless steel toenail clipper, drilled a hole into the cutting area, and coated it with rubber dip to create a button-pulling device for mid-dive use. The thread revealed this was a widespread Ikelite issue, with other users reporting the same problem at depths as shallow as 60-70 feet. One respondent had switched to Aquatica to escape the problem entirely. The thread became an important reference for Ikelite users troubleshooting button reliability. ([1])

Betty Bomber Wreck Film — Truk Lagoon

“Betty Bomber - Truk” (32 replies) showcased Dustin’s video of the famous Mitsubishi G4M “Betty Bomber” plane wreck in Truk Lagoon, shot with the Canon 16-35mm f/4L on a full-frame 5D in an 8-inch dome. Community members praised the color rendition and stability, and the thread generated discussion about using divers for scale reference in wreck videos. Dustin noted his preference for shooting wrecks without divers in frame, calling it a personal stylistic choice. ([2])

Frame Rate Technical Discussion

“30p or 24p?” (31 replies) became a comprehensive community discussion about video frame rates for underwater DSLR shooting. Dustin asked about the differences between shooting at 30p/1/60th shutter speed versus cinema-standard 24p/1/50th. The thread attracted knowledgeable responses from Nick Hope, Blaise Douros (a Light & Motion employee), and other video specialists, covering the 180-degree shutter rule, finishing format considerations, and the visual differences between progressive frame rates. ([3])

Video Cataloging and Workflow

In “Video catelog” (31 replies), Dustin raised the practical problem of managing growing underwater video libraries, seeking solutions for keyword-searchable, ratable video asset management. The thread identified a significant gap in the market, with contributors discussing Lightroom’s limitations for video, Sony Vegas Pro’s Media Manager, and other tools. ([4])

White Balance and Lighting Technique

“White Balance with Lights? Wide Angle” (28 replies) explored the intersection of video lighting and color correction for DSLR underwater video. Dustin used two Light & Motion Sola 4000 video lights and sought advice on manual versus auto white balance when combining artificial light with available light or Magic Filters. The thread became a reference for mixed-light underwater video technique. ([5])

“Rolling in the Deep” Film Series

Dustin produced multiple episodes in his “Rolling in the Deep” underwater film series:

Activity Profile

Sources

  1. Forum thread: Housing Buttons That Stick ↩
  2. Forum thread: Betty Bomber Truk ↩
  3. Forum thread: 30p Or 24p ↩
  4. Forum thread: Video Catelog ↩
  5. Forum thread: White Balance With Lights Wide Angle ↩
  6. Forum thread: Rolling In The Deep Eastern Papua ↩
  7. Forum thread: Rolling In The Deep Dauin ↩
  8. Forum thread: Macro Film From Bali Lembeh And Png ↩
  9. Housing buttons that stick (forum) ↩
  10. Betty Bomber - Truk (forum) ↩
  11. 30p or 24p? (forum) ↩
  12. Video catelog (forum) ↩
  13. White Balance with Lights? Wide Angle (forum) ↩
  14. Rolling in the Deep - Eastern Papua (forum) ↩
  15. Macro Film from Bali, Lembeh, and PNG (forum) ↩