How to Capture Great Underwater Footage With Your GoPro

Your next dive could be worth $2,000 US. Capture amazing underwater experiences on your GoPro and share them with us via the PADI® GoPro Evolution Contest page for your chance to win.

Entries will be evaluated on composition and framing, perspective and degree of difficulty of shooting, the depiction of your observations during your dive, and overall beauty and lighting. Here are some pro tips for capturing spectacular shots.

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Before You Dive In

Charge up – Start the dive with a full battery and charge any spare batteries so you’re ready to dive in again.

Clean the lens – Check the lens of your camera and housing for any fingerprints or debris. The tiniest speck or smudge will be a big blemish on your footage.

Dial in your settings – Here’s what GoPro expert Jeb Corliss recommends:
Aspect ratio: 4:3
Resolution: 1440 or 2.7k
Switch on HyperSmooth on for the cleanest, smoothest looking footage.

For your HERO7, lock the LCD screen to ensure your settings stay the same throughout your dive.

Use the GoPro Super Suit – This protects your camera when diving deeper than 10 metres/30 feet.

Turn off WiFi – WiFi doesn’t work underwater and drains the battery.

Anti-fog – HERO7 Black does not require a waterproof housing or anti-fog inserts. If fogging occurs, simply remove the Protective Lens and allow the unit to dry in an air-conditioned and/or low humidity environment (<50% humidity) until traces of fogging have cleared.

Snorkel with Dwarf Minke Whales at the Great Barrier Reef's Ribbon Reefs

Cairns liveaboard scuba diving - divers photographed under the dive boat while scuba diving the Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef

Dive In Australia - underwater image from scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef

Use a GoPro Mount – Your GoPro can capture amazing images, but without the right accessories, even the best underwater videographer in the world can have shaky footage. Mounts are essential accessories you’ll find in the gear bag of every professional photographer:

Stabilize your footage by using a mount such as a hand mount (we recommend the GoPro Shorty or floating Handler) and a Head Strap.
The Head Strap allows you to shoot hands-free and helps the viewer see things from your point-of-view. The Shorty and Handler mounts allow you to shoot in front and behind you. No matter which mount you choose, make sure you have HyperSmooth on—it will deliver the most stable footage

Note: HERO7 Black has color-correcting technology built-in so you don’t have to worry about using a filter.