Underwater GoPro Video Techniques: Lights

[@AK-et8xq]

Finally a very usefull and simple video, explaining just what we need to know! Do you have any recommandations for video lights to mount on a cave dive helm?

[@slplktr]

Very informative video. And not very long. Thanks.

[@pkotsolutions]

Where to buy this light and rig

[@andersonboy620]

The video is interesting and the music, wich normally ruins so much youtube videos is pleasent in your one, congrats! How would you make a setup similar to yours but for making pictures instead of filming? I made a cave dive recently where got amazing fish to picture, but not a single sharp picture with my diving flashlight and gopro. I wonder if it is a matter of me needing a video ilumination system that spreads the light in a wider angle to help the go pro to make a proper focusing in low light conditions. Mine is an old gopro, cannot set up iso or other parameters, it doesnt have the lcd screeen.

[@simonchoo1108]

Hi may i know how do u keep the casing from fogging ? Thks ❤

[@mitchkeddrell7021]

Links to equipment please

[@SnapsLp98]

Do you have a link to the lamps ?

[@Underwater_Explorer]

Hi. where do you buy the goodman handle that can attach arms

[@pkotsolutions]

And also the micro kit

[@BB-uy2vq]

Great video! The visuals on the whiteboard were really helpful. I just got the macromate mini +15.Do you change the settings on your GoPro when using the macro lens, or just flip it on and off?

[@PCoetzee24]

Hi Belinda. I use the Backscatter Flip4. No settings needs to be changed on my GoPro. I simply flip on and off... The trick is to get the distance to the subject right. (Practice is required.)

[@chadaztig07]

Question regarding the floaters? Or those tubes full of air. whats the length? And whats the circumference/diameter?

[@PCoetzee24]

They are metal tubes filled (and sealed) with air. very light and durable. It makes the system neutral in the water. They are about the size of a small soda can.

[@spandananallapati4140]

Great video. Thank you! Could you possibly link where I can get your gear?

[@PCoetzee24]

Thank you very much! I use the Light-For-Me Video 7200 system. light-for-me.com/video-lights/#GOPROSet7200 Backscatter makes some of the best GoPro accessories you can find. I have one of the older Flip4 kits. www.backscatter.com/underwater/GoPro

[@mxscubabylily1213]

great video!! thanks for sharing. I am a cave diver and a very novice videographer and find it very difficult to balance the darkness of the caves with those overexposed white formations we can find in there. Do you have more videos that can give me a hint on how to manage lights in caves? and could you send a link on where you get the macro lens. Thanks a lot!

[@PCoetzee24]

Hello! Glad you found the video useful! The secret is simple. Keep the lights far from the camera and share lights with you friends. Having all the light in one place is seldom good. A good idea is to brief who does what before the start of the dive. Example: One diver aim forward left while another diver aim forward right. If you swim at the back you can simply aim light forward. Also important to hold camera as still as possible. Look around with your head. not your camera. Otherwise your footage can get nauseating. I use a macro kit for a Hero 4 Black made by Backscatter. They have updated models for the newer GoPros. www.backscatter.com/FLIP7-Pro-Package-with-SHALLOW-DIVE-DEEP-Filters-15-MacroMate-Mini-Lens-for-GoPro-3-3-4-5-6-7

[@PCoetzee24]

send me a direct msg if you have more questions. Kind Regards.

[@mxscubabylily1213]

@@PCoetzee24 Thank you so much for the tip. I will do a couple of dives the coming days, lets see what comes out from the camera!. Thank you again!

[@basildubose]

I'm going to Cancun and Isla MUjeres Mexico and will be diving shallow reefs anou 15ft -30ft using gopro set up. Being new to the underwater video and photography world....How much light will I need on a bright day in the Tropics? Do I need at all? can I go cheap and get Amazon light with 500/750 lumans or should I get Kraken with 1000lumans or even more....I know at depths of 40ft and deeper having lights is a must and even then I don't knw if 2500L or 4300L is best? mainly for now as a new diver just shallow diving

[@PCoetzee24]

Hi Basil. I don't think you need much light at 15-30ft in the tropics. viz is good and the sun should reach almost everywhere. Colour will start to become blueish as the warmer colours start to disappear, but not too much yet. A good light is probably still a good idea as it will restore the colours a bit when filming close-ups or when peeking under a overhang or into a crack. I personally believe that a video light with less than 1000 lumens is a waste. 1000L is very bright as a focused beam, but weak if it has a 120-160+ degree beam. My advice would be to futureproof and get the better lights that you can afford. That way you’ll be future proof for those deeper dives you might do in the future. Since you’ll be in the Yucatan you absolutely must go into to cenotes also. You owe it to yourself. A brighter light will serve you extremely well in those conditions. Most operators in that area will offer a cavern dive cenote experience. You do not need technical/cave training for the cenote dives. (Assuming you’re a sport diver.) Hope this helps and enjoy the trip.

[@basildubose]

@@PCoetzee24 Thanks so much for your advice. You're right investing in a at least meduim good light maybe with 4000L this i have it for a whiletill I'm ready to upgrade down the road. As i said i'm just a Travel adventure doing gopro filming at leasr for now. Yes, I plan on doing some Cenote diving for sure...Thanks again

[@MrHandodo]

Great video! How long is your float arm? and whats your flood light beam angle?

[@PCoetzee24]

Hey! I have a camera bracket with 2x 8" Buoyancy arms plus all the ball clamps. The total width of the system is probably 0.7 to 0.8 meters wide. Both my lights have a 120 degrees beam.

[@Wazza_333]

Hi Pieter. Thank you for your video. I’m just starting out. Do you use coloured lenses at all or do you correct the colour balance post production?

[@PCoetzee24]

Hey! I prefer proper lights to colored filters. filters are nice on sunny shallow tropical dives though. Inside wrecks and caves, good lights are your only option. On deeper twilight dives (blue ocean), I also prefer good lights. Take a short vid clip of your white slate. This is a good "white balance" reference you can use post production when you video edit. Hope this helps...

[@AA-wd2or]

Cool cave..our are so muddy you need to be caerful nostop or you end with milk soup diving

[@danielyork3406]

I wanted to get your thoughts on an action camera (like GoPro). Is GoPro the best action camera option or are there others that are better while still being small like the GoPro (intent is for video).

[@ezibuy6147]

Hi Daniel. Herewith my thoughts on the matter: I believe that 90% of your video quality is attributed to the lighting system and not the camera. The camera is however still an integral part of the system. I also think that the action camera “craze” is largely over. Smartphones made sure of that. Today the latest Apple and Android phones can make excellent movies and companies like GoPro has lost huge market share because of that. In the GoPro glory days, many other companies, like Sony, Nikon, Kaizer, DJI and others, tried and sometimes succeeded in making cameras “as good” as GoPro and sometimes even better. I am however not sure if that is still the case. GoPro however seems to still be pushing the envelope with their new cameras. Here is what you need to consider: When diving you require something that is robust with decent waterproofing. GoPro has an excellent range of accessories that is not often matched by competitors. The Scuba housings available for GoPro alone makes me prefer the GoPro to other brands. The size is also ideal when doing demanding technical diving. I hope this answers your question.

[@danielyork3406]

@@ezibuy6147 thank you for the response. I am still waffling on which to get, I’m tempted to get a DJI for a couple dives, and then possibly switch to like the Sony a6600, or Sony A7SIII, the 6600 would probably act as a 2 to 4 year stepping stone to get to the A7 series but still not sure.