COLORS OF 2020

[@juliasumerling5229]

Dear Florian and Behind the Mask Team, Thank you for your continual drive to create innovative and fresh videos from the underwater realm. Not only showcasing beautiful marine natural history, humans in the underwater realm, a great technical understanding of camera optics and lighting, the ability to create engaging and beautiful work with powerful conservation messages, your videos have been constantly original and artistic, that makes you stand out in the crowd and lead the way forward like the beacon in the dark. I enjoy seeing where your filming takes you next each time. I know it takes so much energy and thought and a great team, working together constantly to create such beautiful, creative and stylistic pieces. I can't help but watch every single one and then share it with everyone I know. I look forward to collaborating and supporting one of your projects oneday, just imagine that. Thanks for the great inspiration. And congratulations with the new baby. I hope that you continue to lead the way in underwater filming in 2021. Be well

[@BehindtheMask]

Julia. Thank you very much for taking the time to send us these warmhearted words. It means the world to us. If we ever have a chance to explore Australia together with you as one of our local connections, that would be awesome. We are following your adventures and have great respect for your work. Let's hope we have a chance to meet in the ocean one day. Kindest regards from the team!

[@juliasumerling5229]

@@BehindtheMask aw now thanks for your kind words. You will always be welcome here.

[@anjasawa1226]

To compensate my lag of diving opportunity i dived into myself and asked myself what i really want. I study marine biology and there is nothing more I love than all creatures in our beautiful home. I always wanted to protect animals, especially whales. I recognized that the Problem of pollution starts in the roots of our society. Now i changed my direction and want to write my final study work in polymeralternatives that are biodegradable. The Problems of pollution starts here. And its also solved here. Also when i am fucked up of biochemistry and physics, I found some deeper power behind my naturelove. (I wish so much to see this animals in life but finace as student makes that impossible. But your Videos make them closer to me. They always give me power

[@BehindtheMask]

Thanks Anja. We admire the ability to reframe and refocus. So cool to hear your story. Keep it up.

[@tiagoferreira9243]

Amazing!! I am so excited about the Azores video, I am portuguese and it is my beautiful country!! There are whales and dolphins everywhere, sharks everywhere, it is incredible! You should also go to Madeira, you would not regret! Please set yourselves in the Azores, I would move there from Lisbon, I swear! Thank you for inspiring us!

[@itsfinmatt]

This was the year with many dive trips planned From Fuvamullah and Fulidhoo in Maldives, Andaman Islands and Komod being a few. but none materialised due to the travel restrictions. Maybe it was good in a way, nature too had its break from inquisitive humans. So towards end of 2019 was when I started investing in my gear both diving gear as well as underwater photography equipments (and you guys were my inspiration seeing the videos you took made me realise Ithat would be my ultimate goal and start with taking photos and hopefully one day graduate Into taking inspiring videos like you guys do. You guys really know how to play around the viewers inspiration and that's something I aspire to do one day). Since I never got to use my equipments underwater, I spent almost every other week during the lockdown practising shooting stills with the camera in the housing, playing around with lighting , strobe positions and so on. I wouldn't say I became an exceptional photographer at least I got better than I was before since I started using a camera only in 2018 and hope to continue to do so. Thanks for all that you've done. Wishing everyone at Behind the mask a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

[@tiagoferreira9243]

Both the Azores and Madeira have whales and dolphins during all the year. In fact, in Madeira, during a 2 hour trip, the chance of seeing dolphins is 90% and whales and turtles is 60%. I have been in the water with pilot whales there and it is an amazing experience.

[@mazchen]

Wow! So many videos to look forward to. Not much done to compensate apart from lots of work (at least having a job still) to save up for next vacation...

[@danielkoren7030]

I was wondering what happened under the radar with you so glad to have you back. To compensate for the lack of diving opportunities i just took (look) the half full of the glass And dive as much as I can where I can near me house in the cost of mediterranean Sea of Israel and not looking on The neighbor's lawn. The are all very green just different Shade of a color :)

[@plastikschnitzer]

I could do a few dives in Germany near my home, but my highlight during lockdown was learning how to operate an excavator and how to weld - got some interesting projects done with this new capabilities :-D

[@TheJoostjuh]

AMAZING Video ! Inspiring as always ! Last year I moved to New Zealand from Aruba to live and work and travel in a van and to work on my underwater photograph skills. During the Covid New Zealand closed his border, Aruba did and I was forst to move back with my parents in The Netherlands. Now I am building a van with my old man to travel next year across Europe in search for epic underwater places !

[@reginasimms46]

Amazing! Thank you. Your u tube channel has helped the feeling of isolation and depression. Stuck in my house to stay safe from covid I watch for my health. So thank you for the hope !!!

[@hugodc1225]

After seeing the video bits of your diving trip in Azores, it made me to watch my footage that I shoot in jully 2019 and never ended the editing, it was way behind the quality of the content in this channel, but it makes me realize how hard i need to dive... damn I miss it.

[@BehindtheMask]

Haha ... happy that we encourage you tom finish your video about the Azores. Go for it. And show it.

[@bernardoribeiro5986]

Thanks for the return. Can’t wait for the Azores film. I went to Faial in September and have the special opportunity to dive with @norbertodivers and to “fly” with 7 blue sharks... amazing experience...

[@robbchadwick2793]

Great video. 2020 has been quite a year. I am in Hawaii and I gained a new appreciation for shore diving (it's cheaper, who knew) :-) Here's to a rejuvenating 2021!

[@BehindtheMask]

Hey Robb .... we can imagine it definitely helps to live in Hawaii ... the shore dives must be amazing in some places.

[@Masterryman]

Brilliant, i took the quarantine to make my Diver Carreer to **, it was hard to find the right teacher and make it with care Protocol but here i am... Ready for 2021... Also i (try) learned microcontroller programming but thats learning curve is aktually very low. But hey, nothing burns, thats good for the moment...

[@BehindtheMask]

Totally agree. This time when we all have to take a break, the world seems to be not moving away without us. So we can take smaller steps and focus more on details and of course on our own well being. Its a challenge to be ok with doing less. Keep it up and take care!

[@rockybalboa6265]

I really don't know what to see to you guys at BTM. I was always in love with watching wild life documentaries and actually took up diving to get closer and intimate with wildlife, but when I discovered this channel thanks to SimplyScuba and thanks to Tales by Light series, I discovered that I'm actually in love with photography and videography. as a medical student I barely have anytime to do anything major in that department. this year I actually dived a lot in Aqaba, did some beach cleaning and underwater cleaning and gonna volunteer this summer 2021 in the local dive shops to further help the community and spread awareness to reduce plastic waste. someday soon, I hope to get some good gear and with the guidance of the amazing Vanessa Cara-Kerr underwater filming Tutorial playlist I hope to travel the world and make videos of my own. especially ones that would rival "Angel in the deep". I just want the BTM team to know that they inspired me - a very shy student- to go out in an adventure. I wish you guys all the best, thanks for your amazing videos and can't wait for your new videos!

[@BehindtheMask]

Thanks bro. That is very good to hear. Keep going step by step ... happy that we can accompany you along the way. Keep it up!

[@ericmartinez9820]

Always happy to have you back. Thanks for letting us see what you have been working on, both for the channel and just yourselves! would be cool to see some of the outcomes of those projects, let us know if there is a place we can see any of them, like Vanessa's cooking videos! I've been busy this year doing housework and working on cooking skills. I can't wait to schedule a trip and get back in the water. Looking forward to seeing your upcoming videos, thanks for the update and thanks for all the content. Going back and watching your videos has been a bright spot this year, can't wait to see new ones :)

[@BehindtheMask]

Hey Eric ... Thats easy ... Vanessas Foodproject: .tastyshots.de Naomis Art: naomigittoes.com Marcels Music: soundcloud.com/goazwergli Antarctica Book: www.greglecoeur.com/book-antarctica Take care!

[@ericmartinez9820]

@@BehindtheMask Awesome, Thanks!

[@ralscher]

Not going for a dive was really bad this year, so i started going running to be in a perfect shape for 2021 :-) I really love your work, so great!

[@BehindtheMask]

Thanks bro. We should go running too. Too much office work lately.

[@antoombom9584]

As usual you guys & gals did an amazing job! I just got my open water divers license and during these dives I got hooked and thats how I found you. I really don’t know how I lived without diving.

[@BehindtheMask]

That is an amazing time ... when you begin something new and discover the magic in it. Especially with diving there are so many steps ahead of you. Enjoy!

[@diving_turtle]

This is the perfect end for 2020. Can't wait till i'm back in the water. Looking forward to the christmas release. 🤿💙👌🏼

[@BehindtheMask]

Same here. Hope you like the new videos. Take care!

[@pattravels]

So happy that you’re back! This summer I went freediving in lakes & rivers in my home country (Switzerland). Not sure I would’ve done this without the travel restrictions. It wasn’t all bad!

[@Gary-yo2fv]

Absolutely breathtaking. Your videos are inspirational. I have been planning our future dive trips to Egypt and Belize for when the borders reopen. Spending time finding backcountry lakes deep in the woods of Ontario, Canada! Please continue the stellar work!

[@BehindtheMask]

How is diving like in your backcountry?

[@Gary-yo2fv]

@@BehindtheMask I have brought a canoe back there before so I have been mostly on top of the water. I would say the visibility is 20ft and some of these lakes hold beautiful brook trout, splake, and rainbow trout. Now that you have planted the seed...maybe I will have to get back to you on that one ;)

[@markusklemmer1958]

Great to hear back from you guys! Can't wait to see your new projects.

[@DominikKrzywiecki]

Oh, actually because of what has happened this year I've moved from Europe to an island on the Atlantic Ocean to go diving. And this is why I even see this video. Probably not good enough to win the book 😀 but love you guys. Amazing job!

[@BehindtheMask]

Hey Dominik! We pick the winners randomly. And it’s funny, but you won an Antarctica. Can you please send us an email to: info@behind-th with your address? So that we can send it to you.

[@DominikKrzywiecki]

Haha, amazing! Sending my address via email 😁

[@santiagoestrada2038]

Me encantan estos proyectos

[@LukasNiebel]

You guys did a phenomenal Job! The footage looks amazing as always! Can't wait to see the full clips

[@BehindtheMask]

Thanks Lukas! Happy to hear that. Full videos coming step by step :-)

[@kevinsullivan8]

Much respect regarding the work and progress you've all made this year. You asked what we've been focusing on in 2020? Personally, I've been revolving my energy around meditating on LOVE and not on FEAR. Peace....

[@andreabigioni427]

Yeeeaaaahhh!! You're back! I missed you so much, coz you're part of the colors of my scuba life :-) I hope it will be possible to get the Antarctica book not only by winning one, coz I'm not that luky man... What I did during this year? I built 2 new shiny mountain bikes and a city bike starting from very old steel frames and, of course, I scubed ;-) One for all, I've been into the Haven for my very first time, a dream come true. Stay safe, keep distance and go diving :-)

[@BehindtheMask]

Hey Andrea ... sounds like a very satisfying activity to build your own bikes. Awesome. If you want to buy a book, you can do that here: www.greglecoeur.com/book-antarctica

[@andreabigioni427]

@@BehindtheMask it is. Re-giving life to old trashed frames again, mixing brand new components with old steel bones and getting back an overall good smooth equilibrium between each part of them, getting back something that run fine, satisfy your mind and your plan... is fantastic. But for me nothing is more exciting and satisfying to go diving, or at least dreaming of it by watching your videos. I've learned a lot from your videos and tutorials, I see it each time I compare my new videos to the old ones. I've got a lot to do yet on this way but... :-) so thank you again for all your work :-) Now I'm looking forward to the Xmas new release, La Fenice Blu, and last but not least thank you for the link to the bookshop ;-)

[@BehindtheMask]

@@andreabigioni427 Yes, must be awesome to craft something with your own hands. Thanks a lot!

[@charleshays7121]

I work in the food supply chain. All I’ve gotten to do without diving this year is keep food in stores to go in pantries.

[@BlueHorizonDiving]

Been looking forward to this and incredible as always, 😍 We been lucky to be in Bermuda during this crazy year but started making weekly episodes for fun after lockdown to share the underwater world with those who weren’t able to dive due to the virus. We have no idea what we are doing and learning along the way but seems people appreciated it.

[@turtle_diver4146]

This year I worked on my diving skills like buoyancy and color graded my underwater footage from Raja Ampat where I have been diving last year. That keeps you quite busy if you do it the first time. 😬😀

[@BehindtheMask]

Haha, yes, we know how busy that can keep one. Any results yet?

[@TobyHornFotografie]

To compensate the lag of diving opportunities I wrote two books my self and used the spare time to produce more videos for my own channel here on KZbin. I’m looking forward to see more videos of your really great channel in 2021!

[@BehindtheMask]

Great. Good choice. Keep up the good work!

[@TobyHornFotografie]

Since I bought a new housing to take my Sony a7iii underwater with me, I hope to get more chances to use it next year and produce some content for my channel with it.

[@garybrightwell4695]

Wow, so excited! Thank you!!

[@alfonsoribote6698]

Love your work!! Keep it up! I manage to dive a bit this year ... lucky me! so in the down time just editing and learning ;)

[@bjoern.c]

Despite this year, great seeing what you were up to, and especially what is coming in the next year. Stoked for the Azores video, I wanted to go there this year.. oh well. Without diving (except some lake diving) at least there was loads of opportunities for hiking and climbing. :) See you next year!

[@tanguymathieu5786]

I had to give up diving after a DCI and the discovery of a PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale)... To compensate I've started bouldering ! Hopefully this will be solved soon so I can get back into diving and start better underwater filming 😉

[@BehindtheMask]

Hey Bro, so sorry to hear about your heart. But happy that you are coping with it. All the best!

[@TheBronzorN]

The azores is in my top 5 to go diving Places, so really looking forward to the release of this one ❤️ As for 2020 - i bought my self a new setup (Panasonic G9 and a nauticam housing) - its basicly a gh5 with stills being its Main thing, but its a very good video camera aswell 🙂 Ive sadly only dived with it 1 time in this weird year 2020 😬 But hey, ive instead been practicing with it alot above waters instead, which have been okay, but i must admit i cant hardly wait anylonger taking it with me below, hopefully soon 🤞

[@BehindtheMask]

We hear you! lets hope for 2021.

[@francisnorte24]

Your videos are awesome! For me I've been busy working and hope return to Playa del carmen very soon and have a good time diving in Cozumel, Mexico. Thanks for all the loves in the videos guys.

[@BehindtheMask]

Thanks Bro! Playa del Carmen is a great place. Send our regards once you get there. If you need a good guy to help ou ... Octavio Valdez is the man.

[@ryanmoeller3308]

I'd love to win the book! I'm a big animal nerd and I love learning and studying about the magnificent creatures that inhabit the Ocean's. I'd love to learn more about the different subspecies of the Orca!! Keep up the GREAT work!! Much respect and support from Yuma, AZ. 👍👍

[@bjrnhavardskogstad5412]

Always a pleasure seeing your footage around the world. Love your storyetelling from the underwater world, linked with nice music, comments and interviews with the local people :)

[@firstworldboredom]

Spent 2020 following a documentary maker shooting free profile videos for NGO's, in the hope of taking those skills underwater. 💪 Love your work guys! Inspiring!

[@DavidRodriguezPardavila]

Brutal, menuda calidad. No puedo esperar a ver los siguientes!

[@BehindtheMask]

Thanks bro. The next one is coming soon ;-)

[@DavidRodriguezPardavila]

@@BehindtheMask Can't wait!

[@christianhenao31]

loves you guys, you are pure inspiration!!!!

[@blasdls8993]

I want that book.. you are all amazing..

[@BehindtheMask]

Thanks bro: www.greglecoeur.com/book-antarctica

[@ricardorey6477]

beautiful content, thanks for posting this kind of videos

[@Ecotasia]

Beautiful, I have been doing lots of video editing because making KZbin videos is how I compensate

[@MountainPirate]

I used the year to make my boating patents and started to restore an old boat i got by absolute chance ... bizzare year ...

[@alexanderwernke7619]

To compensate the lag of divin' oportunities I trained my body and mind by climbin' in the mountains. Life is an up and down. So I'm rdy for 2021. R u? Wish you all the best. #stayfit and #stayhungry

[@BehindtheMask]

Thanks Alexander!

[@ollommow]

First of all I enjoy your videos Soo much. You guys do an awesome job and you have so much love and passion for your projects. I was diving in Thailand in the beginning of 2020. Later I started jogging to get fitter for diving. I bought my first equipment for diving and I hope so much to be underwater in 2021. I would love to win the book.. and be at antarctica one time too.

[@BehindtheMask]

Hahaha. I think we all struggle to keep fit when we have to stay at home all the time. Thanks a lot for your comment. Take care!

[@BehindtheMask]

hi Oliver! You won the Antarctica book. Can you please send us an email to: info@behind-th with your address? So that we can send it to you.

[@ollommow]

@@BehindtheMask uii niiicee :) Thank you so much. I send you an email already

[@ollommow]

@@BehindtheMask did you receive my Email for the book? I didn´t hear anything so far :/

[@BehindtheMask]

@@ollommow Yes. All good. The book is on its way. If you didn't recieve it next week, let us know again.

[@Pablo_Dutto]

Can't wait to watch another next level video of yours! I love this little teaser with a glimpse of behind the scene footage, I'm excited!

[@BehindtheMask]

Thanks Pablo. Next one coming soon :-)

[@Pablo_Dutto]

@@BehindtheMask As for the giveaway entry I tried to get better at color grading and speed ramps, will get there eventually :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXS1g4N7q86CkKM

[@tarkawdrodze]

Beutiful, fantastic video:) in 2020 at least my dream came true AND in January i dived for first time with mantas in CostaRica:) But after i started to learn how to edit videos AND opened my YT channel:) Kisses

[@BehindtheMask]

Hey Tarka ... that's so cool. In the beginning of the Costa Rica Video it looks like the place where we have been filming bull sharks 8 years ago. Costa Rica has wonderful nature. Good job filming it. Even though we don't understand what you are saying we guess it is to explain about the underwater world. Thats great. Keep up the good work and good luck with the YT Channel.

[@tarkawdrodze]

@@BehindtheMask yeeeeeeee:):):):):)Thank u very much:):):) Soooo Good to hear from u specially that we love yr videos:) loaded with humor, Good vibes and perfect pictures:):):):):):):):

[@ramonc.214]

Happy you are hack guys. Just a curiosity, what happened with the Germany Diving Show raffles?

[@tomscholtes5897]

Hi, happy to see you're all well, beware of the cat's hairs, not a good combination close to housings and sealings ;-)

[@BehindtheMask]

Haha ... thanks!

[@Sharkman_Dan]

Beautiful video! Where the pilot whales in the Alboran Sea?

[@BehindtheMask]

Actually just in front of Nice. :-)

[@Sharkman_Dan]

@@BehindtheMask cool! That’s Nice 🤓

[@mateusztischner6064]

amazing

[@BigSleep89]

I focussed on finishing my degree so that next year I will have more time to go diving.

[@ScubaCarsten]

I've analyzed my energy consumption in my flat and optimise them to compensate the lag of diving. Additional I´ve made some clips of my diving career

[@zadilkhwaja]

❤️❤️❤️

[@scuba4families447]

We love you guys

[@ericalexander9527]

being lucky I tried to dive as much as was safely possible

[@our.midnightstory]

Thumbs up 👍

[@mdmannantech8817]

Nice

[@AquaticImages]

Good to see you all doing well ☺️ Me I got lucky, here in Thailand we've mostly been good and we could still go diving. Here's my favourite memories from the year kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoOnaoKIbc-Irsk

[@BehindtheMask]

Whoa ... you had a ,lot of great encounters. We especially like the eagle ray with the long tail. Have a good 2021 and keep up the good work.

[@AquaticImages]

@@BehindtheMask thank you guys, excited to see all your upcoming vids 🤙

[@oceanwaves4802]

Un video fantastico!! I can't wait for the new videos to come out especially in this period that we cannot dive. instagram.com/tv/B-unaACBRho/

[@PoseidonsAdventure]

beautiful stuff as always! can't wait to see the next videos! I kept busy uploading some great videos to my channel too, go have a look 🤗