How to Use GoPro Underwater

Tips for Using a GoPro Underwater: Photography Ideas 

Photographs have become a part of every event in our lives. Whether it’s a family function or any auspicious event, we need cameras to capture those moments.

Similarly, underwater photography is the new trend that maintains the memories of the action or adventure enthusiasts.

Be it snorkeling, scuba diving, or underwater sports, it’s now possible to catch each of your activities. They aren’t just memories, they are the stories you would tell. These stories would mark up your inner hero when you grow old.

There are innumerable ways to capture your underwater adventure. One of the best ways is to use the New GoPro collection. However, there are some ideas and tricks to use these accessories.

Go through the ideas given here to find the best footage and snaps while enjoying your favorite water sports.

The best ideas that can get you a footage under the water are:

Check the seals on the camera doors

GoPro gadgets are designed to go waterproof, but you can’t forget to take care of the seal. Without it the waterproof property can’t be taken advantage of. Ensure that the rubber seals around trapdoors around the USB and HDMI port are free of grit, tears, and nicks.

So in case they aren’t available as inbuilt parts, you can buy them as spare parts. If you are sure to suit dive housing, then make sure that the lenses are in place. In short words, you need to set up the entire setup and make sure that water doesn’t seep into the camera.

Once ruined, you can hardly pay for the loss. Make a verification possible before going out for underwater photography. Either you make sure things are fine or see your favorite GoPro getting ruined.

You can add a float and strap

The small size and gray nature of the GoPro cameras make them hard to find. Once they sink, you can’t recover them easily. However, adding floats can help greatly to protect them from sinking. With the use of floaty grip, you can keep a hold of the device when wearing the dive gloves.

Some other alternatives are floating wrist straps or floaty casings. Either of them can help in protecting the camera. However, some other options are the foam floaty cases. They are bulkier than the previously mentioned ones.

Yet, they offer great protection and can be the best addition. When you use the floating strap part without the floating part. Obviously, that won’t solve the sinking issue. One more thing is to use Sleeves and Lanyards.

Lock the orientation

Are you a swimmer who likes to dive deep and catch it? Well, GoPro is a great option, and it can capture great footage. However, not every time those cameras would stay level and balanced. For ensuring safety, make use of the automatic rotate method.

There is nothing to worry about if you use the automatic rotation feature. Not only can it save you from the post-processing hassle, but also you can capture mind-blowing and attractive footage. There are more features to protect your phone, but you can use this in case of basic protection.

Lock the screen

Although GoPro accessories are made to go deeper into water and catch the best footage, not always water splashes are welcome. The screen might suffer damage due to the inclusion of the drops. Even the shooting mode might change.

Locking the screen can’t do anything else, but it can definitely protect your screen against such dangers. Let me tell you that it can not guarantee the protection against frequent shooting mode changes, that are a common result of water splashing.

You cannot use touch screen, GPS, and underwear wireless controls

There are many accessories out there that you can use underwater. Especially where you can get it out of the water easily. For instance, while shooting in rain where you can get the camera easily out, there is no issue.

However, underwater photography presents many challenges. The shooting settings might be possible up to some extent or not at all.

The newer versions of GoPro allow you to change the shooting modes from photography to videography. Yet there are some restrictions on protune, frame, resolution, and frame rates.

Although the touch screen located at the back of the mobile application can be of help, it is not underwater.

gopro underwater with lens protection

Prevent water drops from ruining the lens

As already explained, it is easy to control shoot mode where you can easily get your camera out. Once you are underwater, you don’t know what might happen.

So you need to protect your lens from being damp. This can happen with the help of the following tips:

  • Spitting on the lens is an old technique used by the scuba divers. Although it seems quirky, yet us is one of the best options when nothing seems possible underwater. Divers often do this to make their mask rinse. When nothing works, this trick can help.
  • If you feel that the above-mentioned trick is inappropriate, you can go for anti fog spray or detergent.  What’s best, you can get the same effect for longer. The efficiency can persist for longer than that obtained by the first method.
  • Different versions of these sprays are found. For example, many fog and water-repellent sprays like the Rain-X that are used as spray on cars.
  • Many other sprays are available for diving and snorkeling. Some people also use oily gel as a substitute for these sprays.

Using Hydrophobic filters can do wonders

Hydrophobic as the name suggests, means something that repels water. These filters are attached to the outer port of the lens. They help in rolling and pulling the water out of the camera easily.

Financially, this is an expensive option as it consists of the premium filters. The functioning of these filters is going to keep the unavoidable water drops away. Just take care of these accessories, and you will find they are working way better for months.

However, there are some drawbacks. When you are clicking with these lenses on, make sure nothing undesirable comes. Underwater filters also help in making things look less blue under the water.

Due to the short wavelength nature of the blue light as compared to red or orange, it will capture things easily. The shade of all these images would be bluish yet attractive.

Using snap on filter over the lens port can help

Snap on filters can add to the quality of the images and video footage captured. Using the Backscatter Flip system, it yields high quality output. The only con of this system is its cost ineffectiveness.

Polar pro is one such solution that offers a less expensive and simpler option. Its aqua filters are also well. One thing to be kept in mind is that they would work only in super dive housing combinations.

Most of these filters have been designed to be in and around water. So, don’t waste time checking the waterproof properties of these lenses. Also, check out the right size and shape before purchasing the lens. Since different models have different requirements, check out yours.

Final touch

Many water sports enthusiasts and adventure lovers often need something that captures their adventure for a lifetime. There are many options for them. GoPro is one of them and offers many features.

However, the underwater failure can be countered by using appropriate accessories. While some recommend using tips and tricks, a housing along with the best filters are the best. They are available in various ranges and for various budget options.

If you want to use your GoPro to get awesome footage, you cannot miss out on these gimbals for GoPro including GoPro Hero 7, 8, 9.

Just make sure to match the size and shape requirements before making the final purchase. So water, camera, action, and you can capture anything, anywhere.

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