4 steps to keeping a clear dome port (water drop free)

[@JaydenLawson]

Used this tip yesterday with my GoPro dome, and it worked so good - thanks!

[@dreamlifephotography]

yew! stoked you had success

[@cjmac8233]

Nice vid. Was looking for something like this

[@dreamlifephotography]

Yew!! happy it helped! shoot questions anytime CJ

[@tc3imagery]

Thanks for such a great and thorough explanation on how to keep water droplets off with the saliva. Most thorough one I’ve seen out of several!

[@dreamlifephotography]

Yew! thanks for your feedback glad you liked it. I have more content like this over at my free 40 minute training at this link if you are interested? waterphotographycourses.com/wp-sign-up-page

[@josefreyre2928]

Great video! Would you recommend this technique when shooting fully underwater (diving)? Or is it just for shooting above the surface and splits? Thanks!

[@dreamlifephotography]

Great question. So if you plan to take all of your photos fully submerged then there is no need to do the port method. This will only help for above the surface photos. I have an updates free workshop on keeping domes and flat ports water drop free. Link to get it here: www.waterphotographycourses.com/clear-lens-ports-tutorial

[@shanedawson4437]

I subscribed just because of the excellent detail you put into the video and advice. I'm going to the Great Barrier Reef for the first time next month, I'll be trying my hand at underwater photography for the first time as well. Thanks for the tips!

[@dreamlifephotography]

Awesome Shane - super stoked to have you as a subscriber.... enjoy the reef, so good out there!!

[@dazxmedia]

FINALLY an actual solution to this

[@dreamlifephotography]

Yew!! cheers mate, if you want to go more in depth with it and find out about the technique for flat ports (which is entirely different) you can get my free workshop here: www.waterphotographycourses.com/clear-lens-ports-training-video-sign-up

[@MattLambley1501]

Great tutorial mate!! Found it very informative. Been struggling with beading on my dome port so this helped a tone!

[@dreamlifephotography]

Thats awesome to hear. With these techniques I never seem to have drama with water beading, so Im so happy it was of some value to you. Cheers Tom

[@StickyMubbs]

Nice and concise. Had a shoulder injury all year so have been shore bound. Looking forward to getting back in the water soon so good refresher on techiques. I am one of those that has spread the saliva with my hand so will stop that.

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey there, thanks for your message and glad you are excited to get back out there after your injury. Sometimes those little breaks away from the craft help to strengthen our inspiration to get better photos. Yes the rubbing the port with fingers is just a small detail but it can be the difference in getting that perfectly clear port. Thanks again!

[@genericgymvlogsph9739]

Love it mate! Thanks for the tips!

[@dreamlifephotography]

Yew!! so stoked you got some value... appreciate your message

[@EbisHernandez]

thank you.

[@dreamlifephotography]

cheers Ebis, glad it was helpful

[@uniqcliks1729]

Great tips Tom.. any tips for cleaning inside the port?

[@dreamlifephotography]

If you keep the back caps on when not in use you shouldn''t have to clean it very much. I sometimes wipe over with a clean micro fibre cloth

[@fsinarahua]

Do the back buttons need some cleaning and greasing? Thanks mate!

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey mate, must have missed this message so thanks for your patience in reply. I don't regrease my back buttons, but every few years I get Aquatech to do a service on my housings and they would no doubt do it then, personally I haven't needed to so far, but it wouldn't hurt to do it every so often

[@JamesDaly]

This was so helpful, thank you!

[@dreamlifephotography]

So glad to hear James, appreciate your message!

[@petereichstein5603]

Got any more tutorials coming out Tom?

[@dreamlifephotography]

Yes Pete, we have a full length course releasing mid to late March 2020. You can sign up here if you aren't already on our list to get the invitation and never miss any of our content. Link to subscribe www.stimages.com.au/subscribe-photography-education

[@janikalheit5094]

Hi there! I seem to have somehow scratched the dome right in front, any tips on how to deal with those scratches or ways to get treat them etc?

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey Janik Sorry to hear... scratches on dome ports are not good especially when shooting above the surface of the water. However you can normally polish them out. I have polished out some nasty scratches before and it has worked well. This is the link to the polish that I used from Aquatech store: aquatech.net/collections/water-housings-accessories/products/na-novus-cleaning-and-scratch-remover-kit

[@jordyaird5598]

Great Vid! What are your thoughts on candle wax for 8" domes?

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey Jordy I would NEVER use wax on a dome port... wax in my experience is only good for flat ports.... just use spit for dome ports. I have a free 40 minute water photography training that goes deep into both of these methods. If you want to check it out go to this link: waterphotographycourses.com/wp-sign-up-page

[@Davidmccombs]

How to I get rid of water spots on a flat port?

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey David, I have a free online workshop which shows you how reduce water drops on a flat port.. totally different technique. You can get access today at this link www.waterphotographycourses.com/wp-sign-up-page

[@mifarr]

Hey bro great video thanks for clarifying! I've just changed my normal port to a dome port and I'm using a wide lens and I've just found some interesting technicalities regarding the lens reflecting inside the port when trying to shoot into the sun while getting some lens flares any tips on reducing this reflection?

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey mate, thanks for the question. The reflection is normally from the inside markings around the lens. from just outside the lens if you know what I mean? so using non reflective tape to cover that up will help. Hard to explain this in text, so I might do a live instagram video or possibly a quick KZbin about this topic. its a great question

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey Michael have you got a sample picture of the reflection? I will be doing a video on this I reckon, hopefully we can make this a problem of the past. if you have a sample please send through to [e-mail] cheers mate

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey Michael, just loaded the video on this topic. You can watch here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i32woph9mcmahZo

[@anamarijamilos1290]

Where did you get your port?

[@dreamlifephotography]

Thanks for your question Anamarija! All of my housings and lens ports are from Aquatech.

[@benjoubert7263]

Hi Tom, love your videos. I mainly use a flat port so licking it doesn't really do the trick. What else could you recommend to keep droplets off a flat port? I have heard some surf wax could work

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey Ben, Yes definitely DO NOT lick your flat port. Wax is a good option, however the technique and other factors help. You can get access to my free online workshop that shows you how to do it for best results. Join at this link: waterphotographycourses.com/wp-sign-up-page

[@scottthompson7009]

I saw a video on KZbin with a guy saying to use candle wax on the lens port, what’s your opinion of that?

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey Scott, wax on the port is definitely NOT for dome ports which I am talking about in this video. However flat ports are a different story. I go into multiple techniques for using different types of wax and methods in my free online course. If you want to get access go to this link: dream-life-through-photography.teachable.com/p/transform-your-water-photography

[@liquideyewaterhousingsjapa1511]

Hey Scott! Yes, unscented candle wax works great on flat element lens ports when you want it to repel water (aka dry port) but on dome ports you definitely want to shoot through a wet port as Tom suggests.

[@KingofKooksSurfMedia]

I know the thread is about dome port however I’m really struggling to keep my flat port droplet free! I’m using red sex wax as you advised on your course but still struggling as it leaves a white layer of white smudges and when I buff them all out the droplets are coming straight away! Is there any technique I’m missing? Your channel is awesome!

[@TRvisuals]

Hey mate my question is about focus, do you use auto or manual focus under water? I'm having trouble with that, cheers!

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey mate, thanks for your message. For underwater I always use auto focus. Mostly I use wide angle lenses for underwater. My 15mm fish eye, 17mm wide lens or at the most a 20mm lens. As the focusing is so hard to preset unlike photographing on the surface with wide lenses I use auto focus when going below. Focusing distances vary a great deal from surface to underwater. I go more into this in my full length course. But I would suggest trying auto focus with wide lenses when underwater. Hope this helps. Cheers Tom

[@TRvisuals]

@@dreamlifephotography cheers mate

[@TheGabi1200]

Thanks for the video, it's great. I think I see a black cardboard in your dome port, is that right? It would be a good idea to avoid seeing the reflection of the fish eye on the dome port, sometimes I have this problem when taking underwater pictures.

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey Gabi, Yeah its a thin piece of black fabric that sticks to some double sided sticky tape. I don't always use it, but you are right it is to help with reflection. Sorry for the late reply I only just saw the comment

[@WorkForAvocados]

Who would have guessed that daily morning iced coffee was contributing to all these water droplets 😮. Gonna have to give some of these tips a try. Spent all morning shooting just to have 95% of my shots covered in droplets

[@dreamlifephotography]

hahahah try it out, find what works for you and then refine is my method

[@amandasheldon4900]

Are those white things in the dome to keep it from fogging up? I put some in my dome but I could see the reflection of them. I haven't tried taping them on

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey Amanda thanks for your question. No actually those are just double sided sticky tabs that enable a black piece of fabric to stick to the inside of the port to help prevent reflection. I don't have many troubles with reflection so I rarely use the fabric

[@inhast]

Another amazing tutorial Tom, when you say is better use a flat port when shooting 20mm lens or higher, are you considering the crop sensor factor ? I have a 12-35mm on the lumix gh5, have both Dome and Flat port and still have doubts on when using one or another! The gh5 has a micro 4/3 sensor. What you suggest in this case ? Thanks a lot.

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey WIlliam, great question. Using a flat or a dome port really depends on what you are shooting. If you are photographing split level images the dome port is better. If you are shooting surface work (above the water line) then flat ports are fine to use with pretty much all lens lengths, except maybe fisheye lenses (they are best with the dome) underwater wide angle is best done with a large dome. With the crop sensor I think its fine to go off the lens properties rather than the converted lens length. With your 12-35 I would shoot surface work with a flat port, split level and underwater work with a dome with the lens set at the widest setting (12mm) but you really should experiment and see what works for you the best. How have your results been so far?

[@inhast]

@@dreamlifephotography Very informative Tom, will go for it then let you know the results, once again thanks a lot for your time and all videos. They are very helpful. Cheers

[@thomastarner8683]

Do these techniques apply to fresh water too?

[@dreamlifephotography]

Great question! Yes I do mainly shoot in saltwater, however I use the same techniques in fresh water rivers and streams. I also shoot in swimming pools all the time for my commercial photography and I use the the exact same techniques. Cheers mate

[@jean-louishupe5562]

Do you think using a water repellant spray would work for this purpose? Like, there's spray selling on the internet for shoes, I've used them with great success, I'm geniunely wondering if that would work with a dome ahah

[@dreamlifephotography]

Aquatech don't reccomend chemicals to be used on the dome ports. The products are generally designed to sheet the water off which is what you want for a flat port, but the theory for the dome port is to keep a perfectly thin sheet of water intact over the entire dome and nothing does this better than saliva. Spit on the dome 5 minutes before entering the water and you should be sweet. The salvia dome port method has worked pretty much flawlessly for 20 years now for me, personally it my recommendation for domes... save your money use your spit.. hhaahha cheers for the message and question

[@jean-louishupe5562]

@@dreamlifephotography ahhaha thx Tom! I'll stick to spit then XD

[@janferree6540]

How about “Spit” anti fog spray or other for face masks?

[@dreamlifephotography]

I find your own salvia works the best and its always with you

[@wheelspeed831]

What is your suggestion for cleaning the dome after a session?

[@dreamlifephotography]

Hey there! thanks for your question. I give the entire housing... especially the dome port a really good rinse in fresh water. I pat dry a little with a clean towel and leave to dry on top of my case or on a bench. After it has dried I clean with a micro fibre cloth and store with a protective cover. Always have a cover when not using, as the domes are sensitive to scratching

[@AngelaPerez-ie4gy]

I tried sea drops and soap none of them worked ugh !

[@dreamlifephotography]

Have you tried using the Saliva method?

[@daansteegmans]

Cool! I will be selling jars of saliva soon 🤑

[@dreamlifephotography]

hahhaa .. you need a bit hey?

[@kurtnelle]

perhaps collect in a spray bottle and carry a microfiber cloth? I'll just use a hydrophilic spray.

[@dreamlifephotography]

I guess you could, but spit works every time for me and Ive always got it with me. I find wipers and cloths are better for flat ports, with dome ports saliva works great

[@1vegasdood]

FWIW...I use Johnson's baby shampoo which does not hurt the environment.

[@dreamlifephotography]

Glad that works for you Robert... I know a fair few dive photographers that use the baby shampoo.... only problem is you have only got that when you are on shore/boat.... you always have saliva and thats why its my preferred... but I know it does work and Im glad you have shared on here for others to try... yew!!

[@sand_shifter]

Ok unreal … how about anti fog like in scuba masks 🤿

[@dreamlifephotography]

Yeah you can definitely use those moisture packs, lots of crew do. I just haven't had to with the housings that I have owned