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, ensure you 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 footage and consumes your energy quickly.

Wearing a weight belt helps you achieve neutral buoyancy. This balance allows you 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. While this may seem easier, it results in flat and dull images. Water absorbs color quickly. 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. The closer you are, the more vibrant the blues will be, bringing depth 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. They also help you stabilize against currents. When conditions are challenging, anchoring yourself gently makes a significant difference in the steadiness of your footage. Always avoid touching coral or marine life. Use gloves only to grip stable rock surfaces and protect your fingers from sharp textures.

4. Hold Steady with Two Hands or Use a Tray

Stability is one of the biggest challenges when filming underwater. Even when you are 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. This position allows for quick shooting and better control.

For additional stability, consider the ProShot tray system. A tray spreads out your grip, dampens minor movements, and provides a steadier platform for shooting. This is especially helpful in current or gale conditions. Even small adjustments can significantly enhance the smoothness of your footage.

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

Underwater, frame rate becomes even more crucial than it is on land. Shooting at 60 frames per second provides smoother footage. It allows you to slow it down during editing without losing quality.

On sunny days, you can also film in slow motion for a graceful look. However, be cautious. Slow-motion settings can reduce shutter speed and introduce grain in low light. Always ensure there is plenty of light to maintain image quality.

6. Get Creative with Sunrise and Sunset

While many 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 interesting color palettes.

Experiment with your depth and angle. Position a subject just below the surface and film upward toward the sun. The beams of light filtering through the water create a surreal, artistic effect that's difficult to achieve at noon.

7. Skip the Selfie Camera

Although it may be tempting to use the selfie camera for easy framing, the quality is significantly lower than that of the main rear lenses. Selfie cameras have smaller sensors, weaker color processing, and lower dynamic range. For better image quality, flip your phone around and use the wide-angle lens. While you can't see yourself, the results will be sharper and more vibrant. ProShot Cases make it easy to handle your phone securely, so don’t settle for inferior footage for the sake of convenience.

8. Pay Attention to Sun Position

Understanding lighting underwater is essential. Shooting with the sun behind you results in richer colors and deeper blues. When you shoot into the sun, your footage can become washed out with lens flare disrupting your frame.

Before diving, observe where the sun is. 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 than harsh midday sunlight.

9. Use Lights for Deeper Dives

As you descend past 20 feet, colors start to disappear. Reds and oranges fade, leaving your footage with a dominant blue-green tint. Using an external video light restores these lost colors, allowing you to capture the underwater world as your eyes see it. Even in shallower water, adding a video light brings 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 light absorption.

10. Use Filters for Color Correction

Filters are vital tools 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 achieve rich, balanced footage without extensive post-production. They’re an easy way to get vibrant colors out of the camera.

11. Film at Night for Unique Shots

Nighttime underwater filming unveils 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, facilitating capturing close footage. Although night swimming may seem daunting, it often provides the best opportunities to film wildlife. The surrounding darkness eliminates distractions, making your subject stand out sharply.

12. Use Slow Motion to Reduce Shake

Beyond its artistic appeal, slow-motion filming can reduce the visible effects of small camera shakes. Slowing down your footage makes quick hand movements less noticeable, resulting in smoother, more polished video. This technique is helpful for beginners who are still learning to maintain steady hands underwater.

13. Buoyancy Control Is Key

Buoyancy is critical not just for staying underwater but also for how your footage turns out. Constantly adjusting your position introduces unnecessary movement into your shots. With good buoyancy control, you can hover steadily near your subject. Move slowly and smoothly, framing your shots without efforts. Practicing buoyancy skills will significantly 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 offers better control and keeps your fingers near the shutter button. For even better results, the ProShot tray accessory provides added balance and helps control your shots in choppy conditions.

ProShot Case Tips: Setup for Success

To ensure everything runs smoothly underwater with your ProShot Case, a few preparation steps make all the difference.

First, when setting up the ProShot app, select only the camera modes you plan to use during your dive. This reduces the need for toggling modes underwater, allowing for quicker footage capture. If you’re using the Touch 2.0 Case, activate Underwater Mode in the app. This improves touchscreen sensitivity, enabling you to shoot without delays.

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

• Set Auto-Lock to “Never” to prevent screen shut-off mid-dive.

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

• Enable Airplane Mode and disable WiFi to conserve battery and eliminate distractions during your dive.

  
  

When inserting your phone in the ProShot Case, double-check that the power button isn’t pressed by the insert clamp. Use the foam square piece at the bottom to keep your phone elevated, avoiding accidental shutdowns. Also, insert your phone at least five minutes before diving. This provides time to clear any last-minute notifications or alerts from your smartwatch or laptop. Once sealed and submerged, it's challenging to dismiss these pop-ups.

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.