I have seen lot of underwater footages and photos
where divers make frequent mistakes with most cameras underwater and ended up with frustration with how underwater videos and snaps looks. Even I did mistakes so many times. With my past experiences I would like to share things that you should consider to get awesome underwater videos and pictures.
We have to keep in mind these 5 important factors before.
- Shakiness
- Settings
- Equipment
- Weather
- Water
Let’s dive into details one by one.
1. Shakiness
This is most likely first thing I noticed when viewing other underwater recordings. Indeed, using a gimbal is not an option underwater. Yet, latest GoPro cameras assist you with getting truly smooth recordings with options inbuilt. In the event that you have old GoPro or another submerged camera that doesn’t have hyper smooth adjustment, I prescribe to utilize a double handle mount. It will assist with keeping the camera steady. If that it isn’t adequately smooth, at that point use software stabilization while post video editing. If you are carrying a handle or a stick it can shake easily. Two hands keep the video smoother.
Additionally, regardless of what mount you use and whether you have camera inbuilt stabilization no not, you actually must know about how you stable your body. Fins on before jump in. It will help you navigate around without shaking the camera. But keep in mind not to do hard kicking. Do it delicate and slow. If you are going for freediving, I would suggest to wear a weight belt. It will assist you with descending smoother without battling attempting to make a plunge. Without weight belt it would difficult for you to keep body even. Weight belt assists with stay close to bottom and keep consistent to shoot. Figuring out how to move easily in the water while recording is something that just takes practice.
- OK
- descent
- End the Dive
- Five
2. Camera settings
For video - I like use 4K 60fps with wide FOV with Hypersmooth on.
For Photo - 12 MP RAW format with wide FOV.
I don’t use SuperView or linear FOV underwater because they don’t look right with underwater images. At the times of freediving most of us are not able to hold our breath for long time or don’t get a long enough clip of a beautiful fish who just swam by so quick.
Therefore, my recommendation to use a higher frames per second like 60 to slow down the video later to get double length. Like in the event that you have a decent short 4 seconds clip of a fish and slowdown it to twofold length. Now you have great 8 seconds clip of the nice fish.
I generally select Manual (Protune) settings when I’m out shooting underwater, since I like to have the freedom to adjust tone in post editing. Furthermore, it keeps exposure and white balance consistent. Things in the water can easily get overexposed when the sun gleams on them.
Manual (Protune) settings, I use it all the time.
Exposure - Use (-0.5) to (-1.0) to not get overexpose on the skin when the sun is out very bright.
White Balance - use native to keep white balance steady.
ISO - 400
Sharpness - Use low so it gives more flexibility to adjust sharpness in post editing later.
Gopro color - ON if I want to keep GoPro color and don’t have to do deep color editing.
- Flat if I recording to put clips on a video that I filmed with other different cameras and devices to get colors to match and looks same in all the clips when editing with color grading.
LCD screen settings
Screen saver - Never !
In times that you LCD screen goes off and you can’t touch the LCD screen to wakeup while underwater, you could miss the moment. Attention! But this will drain your battery sooner.
3.Equipment
So, there are several different equipment I use to shoot with GoPro depends on the situation. It is good remember that Hero 5 onwards are waterproof already.
Mounts - Telescopic pole, Floating handle, dual handle.
When I go deeper than 15 feet, I will use filters. Because when we go deeper, we lose lot of natural color and everything will look all blue. So, I shoot with a protection case and filter. You need a case to hold the filter and to protect your GoPro from pressure as you go deeper.
Color filters –
Color filters help get the natural colors back on the picture and video.
Pink-magenta filter is for greenish water.
Red filter for tropical blue water.
Light red is for shallow water 10’-15’ deep.
Dark red is for deep water.
Even when we swimming at the surface and have the camera face down with 15-20 feet deep it is recommended to use red filter.
Also you can do color correction later with different applications like Dive+ to get your natural colors back to your footages and images later.
If you are planning for underwater 360 images it would be tricky. Currently GoPro 360 cameras doesn’t have any options for seamless 360 image or footage. But Insta 360 cameras have dive cases that gives better 360 results underwater. Using a bubble globe is another option for other 360 cameras which can consider.
To get a wider shot underwater SuperView FOV option in GoPro doesn’t work that way. Have to use dome case in that situation. I’m certain you have seen individuals use dome cases for half air and half water shot. However, they are likewise excessively valuable to get 30% more extensive FOV shot underwater. I love the vibe of wider photographs and recordings.
4-5. Weather and Water
Weather and water conditions can impact the video and photo quality big time! The wind, strong currents, swells, recent rain all can ruin the water quality or visibility. I always avoid shooting if any of those conditions are present. If it is not calm and clear water I rarely shoot unless I have to. Even when it is beautiful sunny day and calm but water can be bad like waves/ currents.
Also, sun is major!
Full sunny day is best for underwater shooting.
I hope my underwater tips help you when you planning to go diving next time.
@ravindus @IlankovanT @OSAMA_1 @InaS @indahnuria @Daria_DKNY @Aditya_Patil I would like to mention you guys have a passion for photography and for the ocean.
Feel free to share with other underwater enthusiasts you know.