Capturing the Deep: Tips for Using ProShot Cases Underwater

Capturing stunning underwater footage is about more than having a waterproof case. It’s about understanding how light, movement, and the environment change when you head below the surface. With the right techniques, your ProShot Case can unlock the true potential of underwater photography and videography, helping you bring home rich, vibrant images that do justice to the underwater world.

Below are the key tips you need for both capturing the best footage and making the most of your ProShot gear.

1. Get Weighted Properly

Before you think about camera settings, you need to ensure you can maintain stability when underwater. Without proper weighting, you will float to the surface and struggle to hold your frame steady. Fighting against buoyancy leads to shaky, unstable footage and burns through your energy fast.

Wearing a weight belt allows you to achieve neutral buoyancy, helping you stay suspended in the water column without effort. This balance gives you the freedom to hover calmly next to your subject and film smoothly. It is a simple but crucial step for both snorkelers and freedivers.

2. Swim Down and Get Close

Many beginners stay near the surface and shoot downward. Although this seems easy, it produces flat, dull images. Water absorbs color quickly, and the farther you are from your subject, the less vibrant and sharp your footage becomes

To capture rich colors and better detail, swim down and get close to your subject. Aim to be within 12 to 18 inches. Get eye-level or slightly below your subject, and frame them against the open ocean, not the seabed. The closer you are, the more vibrant the blues and the more depth you bring into your image.

3. Use Gloves for Stability and Protection

Gloves serve an important purpose when filming underwater. They allow you to hold onto rocks without scraping your hands and help you stabilize against currents. When conditions are less than ideal or there is strong surge, anchoring yourself gently makes a significant difference in keeping your footage steady. Always avoid touching coral or marine life. Only use gloves to grip stable rock surfaces and protect your fingers from sharp or abrasive textures.

4. Hold Steady with Two Hands or Use a Tray

Stability is one of the biggest challenges when filming underwater. Even when neutrally buoyant, water movement can push you off balance. Always use two hands to hold your ProShot case: one on the floating grip and one on the body near the volume buttons for quick shooting.

For additional stability, use the ProShot tray system. A tray spreads out your grip, dampens minor movements, and provides a steadier platform for shooting, especially when you are filming in current or when dealing with surge. Small adjustments like this make a noticeable difference in how smooth your footage looks.

5. Film in Bright Light with 60fps or Slow Motion

Underwater, frame rate becomes even more important than it is on land. Shooting at 60 frames per second produces smoother footage and gives you the ability to slow it down during editing without losing quality.

On sunny days, you can also film in slow-motion mode for a graceful, fluid look. Just be cautious. Slow-motion reduces shutter speed, which can introduce graininess in low-light conditions. Always ensure there is plenty of light when using this mode to maintain image quality.

6. Get Creative with Sunrise and Sunset

While most people film underwater during midday, some of the best footage can be captured at sunrise or sunset. These golden hours provide soft, diffused lighting and more interesting color palettes.

Experiment with your depth and angle. Try positioning a subject just below the surface and filming upward toward the sun. The beams of light filtering through the water at these times create a surreal, artistic effect that’s hard to achieve at noon.

7. Skip the Selfie Camera

Although it might be tempting to use the selfie camera to frame your shot easily, the quality is significantly lower than that of the main rear lenses. The selfie camera has a smaller sensor, weaker color processing, and lower dynamic range. For much better image quality, flip the phone around and use the wide-angle lens. Even though you cannot see yourself while filming, the results will be far sharper, more detailed, and more vibrant. ProShot Cases make it easy to handle your phone securely even when flipping it around, so don’t settle for inferior footage just for convenience.

8. Pay Attention to Sun Position

Lighting underwater changes everything. Shooting with the sun behind you will result in richer colors and deeper blues. When you shoot into the sun, your footage can become washed out, and lens flare can disrupt your frame.

Before you start your dive or snorkel session, observe where the sun is and plan your shots accordingly. Positioning the sun behind you enhances the contrast and vibrancy of your images. Morning and late afternoon light can also create softer, more dramatic scenes compared to harsh midday sunlight.

9. Use Lights for Deeper Dives

As you descend past 20 feet, colors start to disappear. Reds and oranges fade quickly, leaving your footage with a dominant blue-green tint. Using an external video light restores these lost colors, helping you capture the underwater world as your eyes see it. Even in shallower water, adding a video light can bring back vibrancy and clarity, reducing the need for heavy color correction afterward. Lights reveal textures and details that would otherwise be muted by the water’s absorption of light.

10. Use Filters for Color Correction

Filters are another must-have tool for underwater filming. A pink or fuchsia filter works best for shallow snorkeling, while a red filter is ideal for deeper dives. Filters correct the color loss caused by water and help you achieve rich, balanced footage without heavy post-production. They’re an easy, effective way to get vibrant colors right out of the camera.

11. Film at Night for Unique Shots

Nighttime underwater filming opens up a different world. Many marine animals behave differently after dark, becoming more curious and less shy. The focused beam from your dive light attracts these creatures and makes it easier to capture close, intimate footage. Although night swimming can seem intimidating, it is often the best time to film wildlife. The darkness around you eliminates distractions, allowing the subject to stand out sharply against a black background.

12. Use Slow Motion to Reduce Shake

Beyond its artistic effect as we mentioned above, slow-motion filming can help reduce the visible impact of small camera shakes. When you slow down your footage, quick hand movements become less noticeable, resulting in smoother, more polished video. This technique is especially useful for beginners who are still learning how to maintain steady hands underwater.

13. Buoyancy Control Is Key

Your buoyancy is not just about staying underwater. It directly impacts how your footage turns out. If you are constantly adjusting your position, you introduce unnecessary movement into your shots. With good buoyancy control, you can hover steadily next to your subject, move slowly and smoothly, and frame your shots without effort. Practicing buoyancy skills before you focus on filming will dramatically improve the quality of your underwater footage.

14. Stabilize with the Right Grip

The way you grip your case impacts the quality of your footage. Many divers use a two-hand grip: one on the floating handle and one directly on the case. This method provides better control and keeps your fingers near the shutter button, allowing you to react quickly to fleeting moments while maintaining a steady hand. For even better results, the ProShot tray accessory offers added balance and makes it easier to control your shots in choppy conditions.

ProShot Case Tips: Setup for Success

To get the best experience with your ProShot Case and ensure everything goes smoothly underwater, a few preparation steps make all the difference.

First, when setting up the ProShot app, only select the camera modes you plan to use during your dive or snorkel session. This reduces the need for mode toggling underwater and helps you capture footage faster. If you’re using the Touch 2.0 Case, make sure to activate Underwater Mode in the app. This improves touchscreen sensitivity underwater, allowing you to change settings or shoot without frustrating delays.

Adjust your iPhone’s settings before sealing it inside the case:

• Set Auto-Lock to “Never” to prevent the screen from turning off mid-dive.

• Turn Auto-Brightness and True Tone off to keep your screen consistently bright and readable.

• Enable Airplane Mode and disable WiFi to save battery and prevent distracting notifications during your dive.

  
  

When placing your phone in the ProShot Case, double-check that the power button isn’t being pressed by the insert clamp. Use the foam square piece at the bottom to keep your phone elevated and secure, avoiding accidental shutdowns. This is especially important if you’re jumping into the water.

Finally, insert your phone at least five minutes before you dive. This gives you time to clear any last-minute notifications or alerts, like those from your smartwatch or laptop. Once the case is sealed and submerged, there’s no way to dismiss these pop-ups, so it’s better to be safe and ready before you dive in.

Make Every Shot Count Underwater

Underwater photography is a craft that rewards preparation, patience, and the right tools. By mastering buoyancy control, using two-handed grips, paying attention to light, and adding lights or filters, you can transform your underwater footage.

With ProShot Cases and accessories, your iPhone becomes a powerful tool for capturing the underwater world in vivid, professional-quality detail. Whether you are snorkeling, freediving, or night diving, these techniques will help you film the beauty of the deep. Explore the full range of ProShot cases and accessories and take your underwater photography to the next level.