Get Good Underwater Footages Using your Action Camera with these Tricks!
Underwater filming is a pretty tricky subject when it comes to action cameras. No matter how expensive or advanced the model you have is, you still won't have decent enough videos if you don't have any idea how to use any of them. Good news is you don't really need to be a pro just to get high quality videos of your underwater adventures. Here, we will share to you some tricks that can improve your skill in taking below surface footages.
Accessories 101:
Lens
While other sports don't really require the use of action camera extras, underwater filming is a little different because there are certain add-ons that can improve your gadget's performance. Some examples are standard/flat lens and lens covers. Flat lens help in making the colors of your videos brighter while lens covers increase the focus and resolution of your camera.
Filter
Filters are usually added into the standard housing of a camera. Since the colors underwater are different from above ground, red filters are usually used to even out the green and blue color bias of the below surface surroundings. Using a red filter will also make the water turn out lighter and the objects more vibrant in colors.
Housing
Different models of action cameras are all waterproof but can manage various underwater depths. For example, there is the Contour Roam 2 which can be used up to 3 feet underwater and the GoPro model which is more advanced with their 200 feet depth maximum. Before going underwater shooting, check if the maximum depth level of your camera can accommodate your planned underwater activity first. If not, get a housing that can protect it from pressure and leaking.
Get Underwater Videos like a Pro:
• Film with the sun always behind you. This will serve as your natural underwater lighting source. If you want to take silhouette footages then you just do the opposite and film with the sun in front of you instead.
• Close-ups require the auto-focus setting while medium shots and long shots need the manual focus.
• If you subject is far, you can make its colors more vibrant by simply shooting it with corals as foregrounds.
• Keep steady as much as you can. One of the most common mistakes in underwater filming is that the person ‘jogs’ or creates too much movement by swimming and taking record at the same time. To correct this, try to float while the record button is pushed on.
You don’t need a special set of skills or even lessons just to take good videos with your handy action camera. Just follow and apply these tips and you can get videos worthy of being called professional.