Best GoPro Settings for UNDERWATER Video & Photos

[@ToddMiddlebrooks]

This video is awesome. Just went through and updated my underwater settings on my Hero 8. Looking forward to better footage on my next trip!

[@CircleHScuba]

Hey Todd, thanks for the comment! I hope you’re happy with it and the trip is awesome! 🤙 Where are you heading???

[@ToddMiddlebrooks]

@@CircleHScuba Planning to head back to the British Virgin Islands sometime in the next few months.

[@CircleHScuba]

Amazing! I’ll be in the Bahamas in June, doing St Thomas in October. Definitely need to make it through BVI some time haha. Looking forward to hearing how it goes, you better come let me know! 😉

[@christinadipinto]

This was the easiest, most informative video on how to set up the basics. Thank you!! Definitely subscribing!

[@CircleHScuba]

I’m glad it was so helpful!

[@souswes]

Well done! You seem to be very knowledgeable. I know photography is a college instruction level subject, but going more in depth into white balance, RAW, the light triangle, etc. would be cool! Probably more applicable to people with a shutter speed concern than my iPhone but it’s neat to learn about new things. Props on the shoutout from Matthias. He’s a bit of a legend

[@CircleHScuba]

These are great ideas, I’ll note them down for my idea backlog haha. @MatthiasLebo is definitely a legend! I’m self taught, along with KZbin advice of course, but I think I can definitely shine some light (pun intended) into the light triangle. I think one big issue is just limitations of GoPros and iPhones too for either camera features and/or using those features underwater. I could see a little mini series though about aperture, iso, shutter speed, and then the triangle as a whole. I can’t promise a time frame because I’d want to level up myself a bit more before I spoke to it, but I’ll research and put an outline together for some content! Good idea, and always great to see you in the comments! Thanks for coming back week after week! 🎉

[@patrikdeak104]

Do it for the Hero 13 please

[@CircleHScuba]

I don’t own one yet but I know a lot of the settings will be similar. If I get my hands on one I’ll make a video for it for sure

[@k.chrisrachalphdmpabn7713]

Hi Thomas, Great video. I recently used an old Hero 5 along with the backscatter red filters according to depth. Unfortunately, my video at 50-60 ft was so dark I couldnt tell what I was videoing. I didnt have any lights. What might I be missing here? Any suggestions?

[@CircleHScuba]

Hey Dr. Rachal, this is a great question and unfortunately can be a common problem when it comes to underwater video. I may actually make a dedicated video on this topic some time because it's truly a big problem that I think a lot of the normal videography tips on lighting and exposure just don't cover since they don't understand the Scuba elements that complicate it. Let me try my best to answer here and please leave follow-up questions, I'm happy to help. First - to define the issue clearly, these filters do block some light, and the deeper the red color is, the more natural light is blocked as well so it's a matter of optimal balance between adding the filter to get the most color back while not darkening the shot too much. If you add video lights, the problem now becomes that your lights are casting daylight, so you actually wouldn't want a filter because your footage would have a red tint to it, since daylight has the red spectrum in it still (it hasn't penetrated from the surface down 60 feet, losing the red wavelength). Additionally, video lights for most of will never light an entire reef properly, they're more for close up shots and macro shots. What I'd recommend is trying a couple things here, and unfortunately it will be a bit of trial and error: 1) You can try the lighter "red" filter for the shallower depth. This will still add red color back to the footage, just not as much as what may be needed and you'd likely want to use something like Dive+ if not fully color correct in a video editor to get the reds bumped up more. The shallow filter will allow more natural light in, which can help solve the problem of the darker footage. If it's an overcast day or even partly cloudy, sometimes I keep that shallow filter at depth for this reason. if its bright and sunny, great visibility, etc. then the darker red filters are usually great at depth still. 2) If the above doesn't work out, another thing you can try is adjusting your ISO settings. The higher the ISO, the more light we can let in, however setting it too high can lead to that "grainy" footage you may be familiar with. You can try bringing up the ISO to compensate for the lower light level, and see if you can find a good balance between "noise" or "grain" in the video and the darker shot. The downside to either of these methods is that on GoPros, it's not really easy to review footage underwater on the small screen, so it may be something you try, then review on a surface interval and adjust from there. I hope that helps some, please leave any clarification questions below and I'll reply as I can (though it may end up being tomorrow due to the holiday, will be having dinner in a bit here, haha).

[@k.chrisrachalphdmpabn7713]

@@CircleHScuba Excellent suggestions… it was a very cloudy, rainy day in Belize so makes a lot of sense. Would love to see a dedicated video on this… as a novice, with no photography experience, I thought it was as simple as flip on a red filter and Voilà… wish is was that easy but thankfully diving is great fun with tons of subjects to photograph and video.

[@CircleHScuba]

That’s a great idea! Yeah, I may or may not have a whole trip of dark footage and then also out of focus footage 🤦‍♂️😂 Next week I’ll have a video going up about dive accessories for your GoPro, I think I’ll have to outline a video on how to use filters properly too and just tips I’ve picked up along the way. Thanks for the suggestion!!! It’ll be in the works!

[@pxrcision9285]

Could you do a video for the GoPro 11

[@CircleHScuba]

The 12 is out now! Haha. For the 11, a lot of this is the same to be honest, but you can check out my buddy @DiveSaga who has great GoPro settings videos in the meantime until I get to it!

[@pxrcision9285]

@@CircleHScuba would you in the future do a video for the 12?

[@CircleHScuba]

I may! I don’t own the newest one yet, but if I get one I will probably do a video

[@dieterarras4735]

GoPro Hero13: Sorry, how do I switch from Water1 to Water2 when I am diving?

[@CircleHScuba]

I believe on the hero 13 it’s the same, you hold the power/mode button on the side then hit the shutter button on top.

[@dieterarras4735]

@@CircleHScuba Thanks. Its power/mode button + shutter button, then power/mode button to make your selection, then shutter button to confirm your selection

[@CircleHScuba]

Ok perfect that’s how it is on the older versions, glad it’s the same

[@CircleHScuba]

Get a GoPro for your next trip! 👉 amzn.to/3EQOcJV How to Color Correct GoPro Footage ▶ kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4nPlnZmesiZrMk (more tips below) ========== GoPro Equipment I Recommend: - Backscatter Tray & MW4300 Video Lights: www.backscatter.com/Backscatter-MW-4300-Dual-Underwater-Video-Light-Package?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX18HAQIDBAUCCae3medHDvgBygo+9nV5Gew= - Backscatter Flip PRO System: www.backscatter.com/FLIP10-Two-Filter-Kit-with-DIVE-DEEP-Filters-for-GoPro-HERO-5-6-7-8-9-10-11?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX18HAQIDBAUCCae3medHDvgBygo+9nV5Gew= - Backscatter Macromate Lens: www.backscatter.com/15-MacroMate-Mini-Underwater-Macro-Lens-for-GoPro-3-3-4-5-6-7-8-9?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX18HAQIDBAUCCae3medHDvgBygo+9nV5Gew=

[@kartikayagrawal5756]

Very insightful video, thanks for that! I was wondering if I should change the settings mentioned here for my scenario. As a newbie diver (~50 dives), I am not keen to carry a tray with lights etc. I just use an extendable stick, and shoot short clips when I see something interesting. I am also not that keen to color correct afterwards as I really do not have the time! The intention of shooting videos is just for me to remember, and to show my family and friends. Hence I satisfy the "garbage-in" requirement perhaps. Regardless, What should I change from the settings mentioned in this video if I am not keen on color correction, but still get the best possible outcome given the constraints? I am usually diving from liveaboards up to a max depth of 30m, and I have a GoPro 11.

[@CircleHScuba]

Great question. Personally I think so, but I’d at least use an app like “dive+” for free color correction because it really makes a huge difference. Even without, I’d try a dive with it, check the footage, and see how you like it compared to your other video.

[@kartikayagrawal5756]

@@CircleHScuba Thanks, this is really helpful. Just very quickly - if I use just the dive+ app, should I still set white-balance to native? Or to a specific value (depending on the depth of the dive site for e.g.)

[@CircleHScuba]

Native still. I forgot to say in my previous comment that dive+ is just one tap and done color correction using AI, so you don’t need to worry about learning how to color correct or anything

[@ChrisD624]

Would you select any different settings for the Hero12? For example there’s an HDR option available. My GoPro arrives tomorrow and trying to get it set up before this weekend’s dive.

[@CircleHScuba]

I just bought a hero 12 and haven’t gone through settings yet. 10bit I’d turn on, HDR too. Idk what options are different fully yet though. If you have specific questions I can help you from here in the comments though as I know what I’ll be turning on or off haha.

[@ChrisD624]

Thanks for the quick reply! I’m sure I’ll have some questions once it arrives. Appreciate the help.

[@CircleHScuba]

@chrisd6607 absolutely! Ask away and I’ll be sure to help where I can!

[@mrob3888]

Just got a hero 12. the menus are not the same as what you are showing. help

[@CircleHScuba]

The settings are very similar. I can’t recall specifics right now but it’s very very similar. Worse case, check my friend @divesaga who I believe has a Hero 12 video too 🤙

[@1asset]

have you had a chance to decide settings for the hero 12 yet? taking mine on a snorkel vacation monday eve.

[@CircleHScuba]

They should be very similar, but I believe my buddy Nick on @DiveSaga has a recent video if you want to be sure!

[@patrickelger6574]

Is it just me? I can't get the Preset Selection work with the buttons. I have 2 Custom Presets on the Video Tab. When i click the mode button it just lets me change between video, photo, timelapse. when i keep it pressed it will switch off. What am I missing?

[@CircleHScuba]

Which GoPro series?

[@patrickelger6574]

@@CircleHScuba 9 black, so same as you in the video

[@CircleHScuba]

Hmm, I hold the mode button then tap the shutter button.

[@scubavery]

GoPro 11 no narrow lens 😢 .Thanks for the tips especially the night video settings 👍 new sub . Shame that you can’t type in a title name on the GoPro for the setting would be handy .

[@CircleHScuba]

Welcome to the channel and thanks for subscribing, I appreciate it!! I TOTALLY agree on GoPro not having a custom title option. It drives me nuts, haha. I am glad I have custom settings but I really wish I could type something with the app at the least, then have it sync over. For GoPro 11 I’d do wide for wide angle shots and linear for macro 👍. Sorry for the confusion in terminology, I may get a 11 soon but was trying to hold out until the 12 comes out in September haha.

[@scubavery]

@@CircleHScuba ok wide 👍 I had an GoPro 8 was time to upgrade still playing around with settings. I have set your settings set now . Recently had it set to 4K/120 in the waterproof went diving case fog up over heated the closed down drained the battery. Did change to 4K /60 big difference. Will be interesting to see what the 12 offers and price . But believe the DJI action camera will be number 1 soon . I be diving Sunday hopefully vis will be good thanks again like your content of your channel. Maybe mine be like yours one day 👍😀

[@CircleHScuba]

Oh where are you diving?? That’ll be exciting! I’m very interested in testing a DJI Osmo some time too!

[@scubavery]

@@CircleHScuba I been living in New Zealand for a couple of months but soon heading home back to Scotland wheee I live a dive . I will be diving in a area called island bay in Wellington it’s a natural reserve. I made a video about it on my channel . I have not seen anyone that has a DJI as yet would be interesting to find out there views on it.

[@CircleHScuba]

That sounds amazing!!!!!! I cant wait to visit NZ and Australia too some day! If I get my hands on one I’ll do a comparison video for sure

[@Chilididit]

Good Job bro! #VRAFAM

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks for coming by!

[@rabjhuxley1989]

Hi mate I'm messaging u via Instagram. Have you a link for the go pro rig and lighting please

[@CircleHScuba]

Ah the description has the links to what im using on backscatter’s website 👍 www.backscatter.com/Backscatter-MW-4300-Dual-Underwater-Video-Light-Package?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX18HAQIDBAUCCae3medHDvgBygo+9nV5Gew%3D www.backscatter.com/FLIP11-Pro-Package-with-DIVE-DEEP-Filters-15-MacroMate-Mini-Lens-for-GoPro-HERO-5-6-7-8-9-10-11?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX18HAQIDBAUCCae3medHDvgBygo+9nV5Gew%3D www.backscatter.com/15-MacroMate-Mini-Underwater-Macro-Lens-for-GoPro-3-3-4-5-6-7-8-9?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX18HAQIDBAUCCae3medHDvgBygo+9nV5Gew%3D