8 TIPS FOR CINEMATIC UNDERWATER FOOTAGE WITH YOUR ACTION CAMERA

#underwaterfilmmaking #underwatervideography #underwaterfilmingtips
In this Episode we discuss 8 Tips to create cinematic looking underwater footage, with any action camera. These tips also apply for above water filming and for any other camera (point and shoot, DSLR, Mirrorless).
But in this episode we concentrate specifically on action cameras (e.g. GoPro, DJI Osmo Action, Rollei, Actionpro or any other brand).
The first part are settings and gear you need before you start filming and the second half discusses the tricks you can apply during the post production process.
As always, we love to hear about your action camera filming experiences, and how these tips work for you! Feel free to share your work in the comment section below, so we can check out your videos and underwater filmmaking skills.
See you in the next episode! NJOY!
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This is the gear we use:
kit.com/BehindTheMask/underwa...
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Camera, Edit & Animation / Illustration: Vanessa Cara-Kerr
GoPro Hero 7 Footage: Lutz Eckardt
Float with us: behind-the-mask.com/

[@rockybalboa6265]

You know, i always thought i loved nature and diving, and its true, but after seeing this vid, i always realized that im in love with photography

[@victoriathaxton8512]

This is one of the best underwater footage tutorials I’ve seen! 💙 Thanks for the help!

[@PumaCH]

Danke für ein weiteres Video mit einfachen aber sehr nützlichen Tipps :) Weiter so!

[@1x2x3]

Thanks for sharing the video. I guess the first like given by me :)

[@ReefPatrol]

Thank you very much 😍😊

[@scubasausage]

Ive made one video with a cheap action cam, it was awful. Now I have a GoPro8, a laptop and a holiday to Egypt booked. Your videos are going to be very useful! Thanks for making them.

[@rhylongervacio5691]

thank you for this video! liked and subscribed!

[@fredallen4501]

Excellent tips! Thank you

[@apexunderwaterfilm675]

Wie immer ein tolles Lehrreiches Video ✌🏼

[@ReefPatrol]

Danke 😎😊

[@wael6172]

Great tips, thanks a lot

[@Liquid188]

Could listen to her all day. Nice and professional! Good video, thank you!

[@ReefPatrol]

MERCI!

[@gayagayaideas3206]

Thank you for the tips. It s very helpful

[@azymasger9088]

The only youtube page that will educate and entertain more on underwater content 🌊🐠🐟🦈😍

[@ReefPatrol]

Hehe great thank you

[@christopherpen]

Really looking forward to see the episode on colour correction

[@BehindtheMask]

hope you watched the last Episode. We covered that topic.

[@Frankmejor]

This video is awesome, super helpful.

[@rohithkrishnan.r4678]

Thank you for the tips. I was looking for your work online for some time and I finally figured out that reef patrol is your channel. Great work and keep going. I have questions regarding GoPro hero7 and dji osmo action. 1) which one is better based on their underwater performance( macro, wide shots, stabilisation etc)? 2) availability of accessories online? Thank you

[@thedivevibe4082]

Thank you thank you thank! And you have my subscription🤙🔥🦈

[@deebookshelf]

You had me the whole time but you sold me when you mentioned Blue Planet 😩 my favorite 🖤🐳

[@ReefPatrol]

love it too!

[@jhamark3929]

Thanks for this tutorial.. very helpful

[@Snorkellovers]

Great!!! Thanks for this interesting video

[@raphi1294]

I look forward to see the video for sounds effects! Great vidéo thank you

[@ReefPatrol]

yeah we are working on it! :)

[@ahmedkhalil3802]

Thank you so much for such valuable tips 😍

[@ReefPatrol]

welcome! :)

[@glennyong200287]

Awesome work there Vanessa !!

[@ReefPatrol]

Thank you Glenn 😊😍

[@djohnny8807]

thanks for providing this tips very useful!

[@ReefPatrol]

happy to help!

[@bernardoribeiro5986]

Dear Vanessa, thank you for the tips. Great video.

[@ReefPatrol]

thanks!

[@joshuakimmich7601]

Love your content. I just got back from a trip and have been going through many of these videos. Wish I would have watched fist haha. I feel more prepared for next time though. Thanks again

[@escarpade]

Very helpful information. Looking forward to improving my videos. Thank you!

[@zerogravity5908]

Super Vanessa 👍🏻 Outtakes sind immer cool am Schluss

[@ReefPatrol]

Danke 😍

[@karyleianawildernesscapes]

Another awesome video! 🙌🏽 I did a somewhat similar video earlier this year about shooting underwater with a gopro. Nice to get confirmation that I'm doing most things correct 😊.

[@ReefPatrol]

Coool we will check it out!!!

[@Ghost-Divers]

Thank you, really useful and easy! I am very happy that I was aware of most of these tips and I loved the idea of the black bars for cinematic effect... I am doing it for pictures sometimes, but never tried for videos! Adding sound effects BBC style is also very cool, and using music with license!!! I personally find it useful to choose the soundtrack already while editing, to match action with music! It would be great to find a competent partner like you for my projects!

[@ThiagodaSilveira82]

Excelent tips! Thanks for sharing ;)

[@ReefPatrol]

welcome!

[@lorenzomuratori2462]

Thank you, really cool and helpful stuff 😎

[@ReefPatrol]

welcome!

[@steveh1844]

Great advise 👍🏻🤙🏻

[@ReefPatrol]

thx! :)

[@dananderson8806]

Hi, this is a great video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. At 6:22 you mentioned round filters where can I find those? Cheers!

[@marlonvisbal7054]

Loved it 👌

[@ReefPatrol]

cool thx!

[@willesloco]

Great video thank you!

[@ReefPatrol]

welcome!

[@kokomyk]

Nice tips Vanessa. Thanks! And love your accent! 😀

[@ReefPatrol]

thanks! :)

[@ActiveDutyOutdoors]

Awesome video! One question… where did you get the bird pictures in the background?? Lol, they are awesome!

[@JamiePiyada]

Thank you for the tips, will give it a try on my next project :)

[@ReefPatrol]

Cool let us know how it went! 😎📽😊

[@JamiePiyada]

@@ReefPatrol Will do :)

[@paulk7527]

Excellent!

[@ReefPatrol]

thanks!

[@RainbowReefDiveCenter]

Hey! Really great video and tips! We do a lot of underwater videography and photography at our dive shop in Key Largo and found your video very useful. Thanks for sharing! :)

[@ReefPatrol]

hey guys! :) I think I went diving with you a few years back ;) say hello to everyone.

[@RainbowReefDiveCenter]

@@ReefPatrol That's awesome! We would love to have you guys come back sometime ;)

[@ericmartinez9820]

This came out just after I got back from a trip with a bunch of dive footage. Thanks for uploading such useful videos! This was a massive help in making my video and I think you guys have the best underwater cinematography I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing your work and inspiring me to try and be better.

[@ReefPatrol]

wow, thank you so much!

[@jumbodog5955]

Hello, Thank you for the wonderful and very informative video The gopro hero 5 black let’s me go into narrow FOV only when in 1080p and in 2.7k linear ( medium FOV corrected for distortion ) is the closest to narrow Should I use that for filming or should I stick with 1080p 60 fps and narrow FOV Iam only worried about re framing / cropping in post when shooting in 1080p Looking forward to your reply. Thank you

[@SuperCarzetin]

Thanks!!!!

[@emanuelhenriot3148]

Thanks for those amazing videos. I'm a french diver and I have an Akaso v50 pro action cam. Can you give me some links or a brand for screw on filter adapter pls? I have seen the other video on filters and the mix with light and I would definitly give it a try. Thks a lot and keep going.

[@RareAmourCaptures]

good tips

[@38-farm-sea-life]

I learned alot

[@38-farm-sea-life]

Nice 👍

[@WaterlandFilms]

I love your tips

[@ReefPatrol]

Great:) thank youuuu

[@WaterlandFilms]

@@ReefPatrol great to meet you!

[@allencrostic9128]

Thanks for these tips. What do you recommend setting the white balance to?

[@HiFocusedCinematography]

Great video thank you so much for the tips! What is your advice on a camera? I’m kind of stuck between two options I can either spend 450 on a go pro 9 or spend way more and get a housing for my A7siii. I wish there was a $1200 option like a go pro made for professionals.

[@divervince]

Thank you for making this great video! I'm a fan of your entire series. I love diving wrecks, sometimes down to 60 meters / 200 feet. At that depth would you still recommend 60/50 FPS with an action camera? There's less light with more FPS so wouldn't that decrease the video's quality? Also do you recommend the linear Field of View for shipwrecks? Distortion looks bad on wrecks but I find having a wide view helps with the tight spaces.

[@ReefPatrol]

Okay this is very special 😯 so IF the bitrate/compression is the same with 25 or 50 you could choose 50, if no loss. BUT if you use 50 you have a higher Shutterspeed - now this will depend on you setting if manual or if camera automatkc but even in automatic the shutter speed will be higher which means less light will hit the sensor, so 25p would be better because your camera can use a slower shutter speed so brighter Image and nicer motion blur. So less noise. Also if you are kn the wreck you will move slowly so you dont need slowmotion anyhow and fast moving fish you wont have much too I assume usually they just hang around. So perhaps stick with 25p :) About the FOV... I would go narrower where it makes sense... like on top of the wreck filming, closeups or fish or any maschinery. For rooms and outside sure stick with Wide 📽😊😎💙

[@divervince]

Thank you so much @@ReefPatrol! I will try out these settings next time I'm on a wreck.

[@gilsassi]

Thanks for such a great video! Do you have any recommendations for the best GoPro editing software?

[@ReefPatrol]

Davinchi resolve from blackmagic is free :) and super pro!

[@alwyndmello2972]

Hi Vanessa the videos are great. Which compact you feel is the best in 2020 for underwater. I was in for Sony RX100 VII however, it seems the WB underwater is not the best. I shoot video 90% of the time.

[@jejediverman]

Thanks for one more lesson Vanessa. Can you tell me where do I can buy those red and magenta circular filters with protection lens? Keep teaching us. Best Regards from Portugal.

[@ReefPatrol]

Here a few gear parts... :)

[@KudaRaaah]

Again a very professional and helpful video with easily understandable instructions! You always make me feel like being deeply submerged in a beautiful reef, thanks a lot 😊! But what about lights? Wouldn't it be appropriate to attach also lights on the tray in deeper water instead of a red filter even with an action camera or do you think it's overrated?

[@ReefPatrol]

Lights is one of the next episodes :) so stay tuned ;) usually lights only make sense if they are really powerful to compete against ambient light... and if you have enough money to spend on good lights you may as well invest in a slightly better camera than an action cam. Cheap lights... forget it.. tried that been there... didnt work.. ;) for action cams best to stay in the shallows for best quality... it is a small sensor... so it will always be limited 🥴

[@arkyologist]

@@ReefPatrol Using a gopro6 with a tray and two JAUNT D40 lights rated at 4200 lumens each. Other research indicates setting WB at 5000K. My dives are between 15 to 40 meters. Is this my best option or just stay with a red filter? Diving in the Bahamas

[@MA-tn1ob]

Liked even before watching

[@ReefPatrol]

Hehe thank you

[@sararibeiro3959]

Great tips, thanks! Do you need to activate white balance while you are filming just below the surface so without going below 3 meters?

[@ReefPatrol]

WB is always activated :) but set it to daylight if the sun is shining :)

[@louis840]

Hi, great video, if we do not use red filter during a shooting, will it impossible to restore the original red colour simply by coulour grading ? Thanks for the info

[@markjvairy]

Thank you for the awesome tips .... Which websites can I find free sound effects for my videos?

[@user-sj9xv8bc9k]

Hello. What equipment recommendations for the amateur photographer would you recommend adding to the Gopro 9? Intention for lighting, filters and camera settings. Do you have an instructional video related to my question? Thanks in advance for your reply.

[@PaulLungu1]

Just recently discovered your channel and I LOVE the Amazing footage and helpful tips. I only started to film underwater any tips for Sony A7Rii?

[@ReefPatrol]

Redfilter!!!! Sonys are not always good with Whitebalance ;) so that would be the most important 😎📽

[@ReefPatrol]

And check out the buoyancy episode it is one of the first videos in this playlist.

[@PaulLungu1]

Reef Patrol thank you for your advice. Definitely I will try the filter

[@PaulLungu1]

Reef Patrol for sure the buoyancy matters I know from taking photos.

[@ReefPatrol]

@@PaulLungu1 perfect :)

[@ebrahimhamdy5263]

I'm planning to build a custom blue filter for my underwater video light any recommendation for filter material please

[@ydesrappelet9226]

Nice video, thanks. However if you film protune flat and native WB on gopro, you need to do everything in post, so no need for a red filter then

[@ReefPatrol]

Redfilter will help get better colors even with protunes. :) at least it did when I tested it :)

[@garybrightwell4695]

Awesome thank you so much!.. Would you have tips for using a Go pro in low light conditions? I'm going back to Norway to dive with the Orca in November.

[@ReefPatrol]

Well in that case you wont be diving right? So dont use a filter. Protunes ON. Iso setting you will need to see how high you want to set the max. So do some testing before (you can do that above water too) and see with jow much noise you are ok with. Filming in 25p will give u a slower shutterspeed so more light. But 50p will give you smoother shots. So you can mix the fps depending on what you are filming. You could add 2 powerful lights too :)

[@garybrightwell4695]

Got it, thanks.. love your work!

[@kienanrobbins8534]

What do you set the white balance if using a GoPro and red filter?

[@Hyragnor]

Das Video ist echt der Hammer vor allem, da ich demnächst selbst vor habe einen Tauchfilm zu machen vom Roten Meer. Dazu hätte ich gerne gewusst, welche Farben die Farbfilter haben, die ihr für die Aufnahmen verwendet bzw vielleicht ein Produkt Beispiel für die Farbfilter mit Filtergewinde. Vielen dank schon mal vor ab. Und die Tipps sind echt klasse :)

[@ReefPatrol]

kit.com/BehindTheMask/underwater-filters-and-accessories

[@ReefPatrol]

Daanke :)

[@Holycrabbe]

I have done some testing, and for GO-pro at least, it seams that using anything but wideangel view does not make sense. Thats due to go-pro effectivly just cropping the futage to get the slimmer view. So if you are going to pos process anyway, then keep as much information as possible, who knows perhaps you catch even more greatness

[@dkdude]

10 dives later I noticed my footage could be improved so here I am. Thanks!

[@SolitahKmr]

Hello, Thank you for the video, I would like to know wihih application are you using for editing your videos ?

[@soniafriedrich6899]

Thanks for this. Great. Can you recommend a simple edit programme for a novice for go pro videos and basic camcorder presentation footage? Thanks Sonia

[@pellerselsjd]

I just bought a Go Pro Hero 8 and I am going to Roatan diving this winter... I will be doing some test dives with my go pro and was wondering, what have you found works best for neutralizing your bouyancy with a go pro? Is it better to go over on your bouyancy floats or under? do you really need them for a go pro with a double handled frame? do you have recommendations for frames for a go pro? Thanks!

[@ReefPatrol]

actually the new stabilisation of the gopro is fantastic... I doubt you will have much shake if you dive smoothly ;) otheriwse use a tray with small floats :)

[@LoscoX]

What you use for protect your color checker underwater? Because I've the passport video version and I'd like use it underwater

[@ReefPatrol]

Keldan lights will have this out later this year. I am using their prototype. But I have heard you can use the xrite underwater if you clean it well after... but I have never tried.

[@lucaarchetti3312]

hello Vanessa, great tips! Could you suggest me a good stick for action cam underwater? the link that you have put below seem don't work (gear used) thanks!

[@elaineross9365]

Another top video with great tips. I used to have a Hero4 mounted on my rig hotshoe until it broke. So I need a new action cam. If you could choose 1 for free for unverwater filming..... Hero7 or DJI Osmo Action? I'm swaying towards DJI.

[@ReefPatrol]

Actually from what I gather the Osmo should be better. BUT I havent tried it and I dont know how the color profiles work uw compared to Hero7. But I would assume very similar. Rocksteady should be really good.

[@ReefPatrol]

But check the internet if there are any uw comparison videos. I also could Imagine that the gopro color could be better because they have such an experience with underwater since years. Dji hasnt been uw before. So best would be to test it :)

[@pactis]

What is the greatest program to edit the underwater footage? In Mac and Windows... nice clip. Thxsss 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ReefPatrol]

DaVinci Resolve is free and suuuper. Otherwise Premiere Pro or Final Cut.

[@simonstory29]

RAW

[@LMGNGUZMAN]

Please make one about yellow filter at a night dive , how and when tu use it PLEASE I BEG YOU HAHAHAHHA

[@ferrangrau8392]

Was about to buy a gopro8 because it seems to give the most saturated colours without post editing (which I would like to avoid). And record at the widest settings to see everything around me.... am I completely off? What do you think

[@madirag888]

Hi Vanessa, I just started using Go Pro this year, and will need to take videos and photos underwater (river/lake) next month. What specific macro lens, magenta filters (brand), and mount tray would you recommend?

[@BehindtheMask]

Keldan Lights Spectrum Filter :)

[@ReefPatrol]

Keldan Spectrum Filters! Invest for the best and it will bring you happyness for years and other setups! :)

[@aliface100]

your channel is an online under water filming university 🙏🙏

[@dannydanny8510]

what program do you use to edit footage? not sure if I missed it....thanks

[@temporal0044]

👍

[@myatthwin4589]

Hey👋🏼what kind of editing software do you recommend for this?

[@basheuberger]

Again very nice tips. Could you ( or anyone else ) explain why I should use an red filter and loose light if I can apply one digitaly in Premiere Pro.

[@ReefPatrol]

This is the next episode so stay tuned 😊📽😎 working on it right now! You cant add colors that arent captured :) it will never look as good as when captured in camera. Also you wont be able to change the whitebalance as much because you will run into bending and quality loss. But as said... will be the next episode

[@basheuberger]

@@ReefPatrol Thnx, could you include a non filter correction in the upcoming video?

[@ReefPatrol]

@@basheuberger sure :)

[@miickw1973]

How do you get the round filter on a go pro super suit? In the UK I’m looking online and it seems I have to use another case/frame attached to a naked GoPro thus limiting how deep I can go. Any advice?

[@ReefPatrol]

kit.com/BehindTheMask/underwater-filters-and-accessories check this out there is an option there.

[@HavikenHayes]

How do I manually white balance my gopro as I increase depth if it's in a housing?

[@azymasger9088]

I can nit wait to learn more about color grading 😋⚡🌊🐳💙

[@ReefPatrol]

Will do my best. What software u use? And what would you want to know???

[@divervince]

Reef Patrol I don’t mean to hikack Azym’s comment but I’d like to chime in with Final Cut Pro.

[@azymasger9088]

@@ReefPatrol i use premiere pro. I have some video in flat color while some not in flat color. Especially with gopro. Had a hard time editing the ones not in flat color. Id also love to learn using the color wheels and the rgb chart

[@ReefPatrol]

@@divervince ok I use Premiere manly... but color correction manly is the same in both.. so we will see soon :)

[@ReefPatrol]

@@azymasger9088 okay this will all be a part of the episode ;)

[@chadpharris]

Hi there, the kit link doesn't appear to work anymore. Do you know what the adapter brand is for the screw on 55mm filters? Thanks so much!

[@DiveMonster]

ALWAYS extend your pole, if possible. the longer pole makes your footage much more stable. It makes you automatically holding your action camera more steady. you can test that on land while walking. compare the steadiness of handheld action camera shot (or even phone) with the one of a extended pole. The latter will be much more stable. NEVER use a red filter. Like mentioned, it takes away light. Make different filter for postproduction. 4 different reds (orange to magenta), for different depth, and play with the opacity will do a much better job. However, this is the lazy fast way, if you dont want to mess around too much with color-correction.

[@secretsofthelake1966]

Changing field of view to narrow isn't just a digital cropping? Wouldn't it make more sense to do it during the post processing (editing the video)?

[@krueml1]

How do you guys deal with stray light? I very often have the issue, especially when using the red filter on the GoPro, that stray light is making the image very red and very soft. On top of that it depends on the angle towards the sun. It makes editing a nightmare. Do you know of any lens hood for action cameras to deal with this problem?

[@itayrousso1527]

Hi, what is your recommendation for WB setting in an action camera?

[@ReefPatrol]

depends on the action cam ;)

[@supphathata]

Have you done the uw colour grading already? Thanks.

[@ReefPatrol]

not yet we are working on this Episode! :)

[@hichemzitouni2814]

what free software do you suggest for editing gopro 8 videos?

[@c.patricksadowski9959]

What program are you using for editing?

[@khamai5353]

Hi, What is program for your edditing the video,,may i ask?

[@debranchelowtone]

There are no black bars at cinema. But you can export in whidescreen without black bars.

[@Colja1987]

Ich nutze auch noch die GoPro Hero3 Black Edition! Habt ihr Empfehlungen für Akkus mit langer Laufzeit?

[@ReefPatrol]

die Original sind meiner Meinung nach immernoch am Besten. Selbst wenn Dritthersteller mehr Amper haben, halten die oft nicht so lange.

[@Colja1987]

Reef Patrol O.k.! Gut zu wissen!👌🏻 Von den originalen Akkus habe ich 3 Stück!😁🤙🏻 Hätte ja sein können, dass Ihr noch eine „bessere“ Alternative habt!

[@SebiKoerner]

Regarding the whide-screen bars, editing in an actual 18:9/2:1 or 21:9 gives people who are watching on wider screens like most of the modern sartphones an actul wider image becuase youtube does support and adjusts to these formats. If you just use fake letter boxes, people on wider screens have black bars all around which destroys the illusuin. If possible, never use fake letter boxes these days!

[@cgongui]

Hello, wich software do you use for post production? Thks

[@ReefPatrol]

we use Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut :) check out the latest Episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXraqmuggMyNpZI