A Guide to Using Red Filters for Underwater Photography

Taking photos underwater is an entirely different experience from snapping pics on land. Being a good photographer already takes a particular skill set, but combining that with swimming, constantly moving marine life, underwater currents, and the fact that you’re taking photos through water all make it much harder to get that perfect shot.

There are tricks that will help you take better underwater photos, including using a red filter. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about using a red filter for your underwater photography and how it can take your photos to the next level.

Why use a red filter for underwater photography?

The deeper you go underwater, the less natural light there is. Everything will begin to appear with a green and blue tint as the warm colors (reds, yellows, and oranges) are filtered out in a process called absorption. After 10 meters, the color red diminishes entirely, and after 18 meters, we lose all warm colors, with only green, blue, and purple remaining. That means all marine life will appear in these colors. A fish may appear purplish-brown but actually be a vivid red.

Additionally, the same dive spot can appear different throughout the day depending on factors like how sunny it is or how murky the water is.

But what if you could counteract the loss of light as you go deeper underwater? Many divers wear red-lensed goggles for that exact reason, and the same tactic can be applied to underwater photography. Using a red filter will allow you to put the warm tones back into your photos so images and videos appear more vivid and saturated.

How red filters work

When diving, your brain will naturally try to compensate for color loss, making you think you’re seeing warm tones, even if they aren’t there. But your camera won’t do the same, so the images will appear blue and green. That is because underwater cameras will measure the colors in the frame and white-balance based on the warm/cool tones observed. Even with manual white balance, you will still be white balancing in an environment that lacks warm light, meaning images will still appear muted.

Installing a red filter will restore warm tones to the frame, so when you white balance, the image will come out much closer to the true tones of your subject. Even if you prefer to white balance in post-production, you will still have a significantly better image to work with.

How water changes color as you descend

One of the most common surprises in underwater photography is that photos rarely look the way the dive felt. The reef looked colorful, the fish looked vibrant, and yet the images coming out of your camera often appear overwhelmingly blue.

The reason is that water absorbs different colors of light at different depths. Red light disappears first, followed by orange and yellow. As you descend, less of the warm end of the color spectrum reaches your subject, leaving mostly blue and green light available for your camera to capture.

Your eyes and brain naturally compensate for some of this color loss while you're underwater, making the scene appear more colorful than it actually is. Your camera doesn't make the same adjustment. It simply records the light that reaches the sensor, which is why underwater photos often look cooler and less vibrant than the dive itself.

Approximate color loss by depth

Depth	What Happens
0m	Full color spectrum available
5m	Red light begins fading significantly
10m	Most red light has disappeared
15m	Orange begins fading
20m	Yellow becomes heavily reduced
20m +	Blue and green dominate the scene

Water clarity, weather conditions, and the angle of the sun can all affect how quickly colors disappear, but warm colors are always the first to be absorbed.

Quick filter guide

Conditions	Recommended ProShot Filter
Snorkeling and shallow water (0–5 m)	Light Pink Filter
Clear blue water (7.5m+)	Red Filter
Green water environments	Magenta Filter

Pro Tip: If you're snorkeling in bright tropical water, a light pink filter often produces more natural results than a standard red filter, since some red light remains near the surface.

Best conditions to shoot with a red filter

If you’re diving too deep, it will be harder to take quality photos, whether or not you use a red filter. Beyond the depth you’re shooting at, the angle of the sun and the way your camera is pointed in the water will also impact the effectiveness of a red filter.

When you’re shooting with a red filter, always make sure the sun is behind you. This is standard practice when shooting underwater, as you want to ensure your subjects are fully lit. This will allow the red filter to work its magic and your camera to capture the full spectrum of your subjects' colors.

You may not need a red filter when shooting in shallow water, such as snorkeling a shallow reef, since you can likely capture warm tones with a standard white balance. The best depth of field to shoot with a red filter is between 2/3 meters and 22 meters. That is because red filters don’t work the best when used with a torch. Once you reach a depth where there isn’t as much natural light visibility, you will need to use a torch. When taking photos with a red filter and a torch simultaneously, your images may actually appear overly red.

Different types of red filters

You can get red filters for basically any type of underwater filming device. The one best suited to you will depend on your camera type and housing. Some red filters screw onto your lens inside your camera housing; these are called threaded filters. If you’re using these red filters, note that you will not be able to change or remove them underwater, so they are best for shooting something specific between 3 meters and 22 meters.

Another type of red filter fits right over your lens port; these are called push-on filters. Depending on the type of camera and the specific push-on filter you purchase, the filter may or may not be removable underwater.

Some red filters are flip-down, meaning you can flip the lens on and off inside your housing using a lever. If you’re using a GoPro, you can get a red filter adapter kit that lets you swap between red and orange filters. The great thing about these is that you can change lenses underwater based on the conditions you’re shooting in, so you don’t need to resurface and change filters.

You can also get red filters for your cellphone camera. If you use an underwater housing for your phone, you can shoot photos down to a depth of 15 meters. And with the ProShot Case, you can get custom-sized colored filters, including red for blue water, magenta for green water, and light pink for snorkeling. These filters enable you to shoot amazing underwater photos without an expensive camera. You'll also have access to a free underwater camera app.

Should you use a red filter for underwater photography?

So, do you actually need to use a red filter for underwater photography? The answer is that it depends. If you’re snorkeling or taking photos at less than 3 meters, you likely won’t need to install a red filter. There is still enough red light at this depth to effectively illuminate marine life. If you go any lower, we would definitely recommend a red filter for underwater photography, as it will make all the colors pop and show the true image of your subject in the photos.