Anti-Fog Inserts and LCD Touch BacPac

For underwater photographers, the GoPro Waterproof LCD Touch BacPac is a must for framing your underwater shots. The LCD touchscreen does not work underwater, nevertheless it can be used to set the jump settings before inserting the GoPro into the waterproof housing. Never use the ‘Skeleton Door’ or the ‘Touch Door’ that comes with the LCD Touch BacPac. Using them will be the source of a flood or immediately flood your camera while on a dive.

The Anti-Fog is a bit pricey, but a very useful addition. This insert will prevent your GoPro camera from fogging up on a dive.

GoPro Firmware and Memory Cards

GoPro updates the firmware regularly for their cameras, it’s always advisable that you update the firmware to the latest version. This will help your camera to perform more reliably. Do not use cheap fake memory cards, GoPro have recently updated a support document with memory card recommendations for their cameras.

O-Ring Maintenance and Batteries

The battery life of GoPro cameras is unfortunately very short. The best solution is to have multiple batteries for your cameras, all of them fully charged.

Inspect your camera housing more so the rubber seal for debris (hair, lint, sand etc.) Ensure that there is nothing that is inhibiting the camera housing lid from having a tight seal.

Remember to fully charge your camera batteries. Charging is done by inserting the battery into the camera and connecting the camera to the USB plug.

5 Amazing tips to using you GoPro for Underwater Photography

1. Take away the blurriness. Do not assume that your GoPro camera is ready to shoot videos underwater. There’s a huge difference between the HERO3+, HERO4 and the earlier models. If you are using the HERO or HERO2 you will need to purchase an aftermarket flat lens.
2. You will capture the best colour if you stay shallow. Staying above five metres deep will enable you retain almost 100 per cent of the natural vibrant colour that tropical fish and coral reefs are made of. Filming below five metres will force you to add a colour correction filter so as to bring back the red colour that depth removes.
3. Use the sunlight to your advantage. Always try to shoot while the sun is behind you. The light will you to lighten your subjects and thus bring full colour spectrum to your video. On the other side, it’s sometimes very nice to have the sun rays punching through the deep water to add the solar flare effect.
4. Get closer! GoPro cameras are designed in a way to shoot the widest angles possible so as to catch all the action on video. When shooting underwater you want to get a good close-up of the object. Just steadily approach your subject till you are almost on top of it.
5. Underwater photographer? Just Mount your GoPro camera onto your current camera’s housing if you’re down there taking still shots. This way you can still shoot video at the same time.

For more tips on how to use your Go Pro underwater, check out this article.