Color Correcting Filters for Underwater Photography

Have you taken photos underwater when diving or snorkeling, only to review them later and feel disappointed with the results? Even with a professional underwater camera, you'll likely notice that underwater images appear blueish, especially as you descend deeper. Even as shallow as 15 feet, you'll notice that the color red disappears completely and instead appears a blackish-green color, so you won't be able to capture the regular tones in your photos. That is, unless you're using a high-quality, bright dive light that will replace the sun's rays or you're using color-correcting filters.

In our opinion, color-correcting filters are the most effective and least intrusive way to get amazing, colorful photos underwater. Plus, they can be used with underwater cameras, GoPros, or with an underwater iPhone case. Let's 'dive' into the different color-correcting filters available for underwater photography and the functions and applications of each (no pun intended).

How do color-correcting filters for underwater photography work?

So we know that we lose color the farther we descend underwater. The first color to go is red, then orange, followed by yellow, green, and finally blue, at about 200 feet. It might seem like putting a colored filter over your camera lens would add that color back into the composition. But that's not actually how the filters work. Instead, they reduce the amount of green, blue, indigo, and violet colored light so that it matches the available red, orange, and yellow light, making photos appear more balanced.

By doing that, there is slightly less light available for exposure, so they are best used during the day. But what about if you're using a dive light? You still won't get the best use out of color-correcting filters when diving and taking photos at night, even if you have a dive light, because they will essentially cancel each other out. And this will make your pictures and videos appear as if you're shining a red light on them. We wouldn't recommend using color-correcting filters with any artificial light.

Now let's look at the different colors of filters available and what each is best for.

Red filters for underwater photography

Red filters are best suited for any divers taking photos or videos deeper than 25 feet (7.5 meters), especially when diving in deep, blue water. The deeper you go, the more light you will lose, so you will get the best result with a red filter when shooting on a clear, calm, and sunny day. Always try to shoot with the sun to your back so your subjects are as illuminated as possible, enabling the red filters to do their job effectively and balance the colors in your frame. The ideal depth range for shooting underwater photos and videos with a red filter is between 7 feet (around 2 meters) and 72 feet (approximately 22 meters). For anything less than 7 feet, you would be better off using a pink filter.

Pink filters for underwater photography

For those who prefer to stick to the water's surface or are exploring and shooting in shallow reef areas, the best color-correcting filter for underwater photography will be light pink. Before you hit 7 feet, you won't lose a lot of red light, but there will be a slight variance within the first few meters, which you may not notice with the naked eye. But you will definitely notice the difference when you see the difference using a light pink filter makes vs. using none at all. The slight pink tinge will perfectly balance out that initial loss of redness to produce images and videos of shallow reefs and marine life that look incredibly vibrant!

Magenta filters for underwater photography

Not all water is clear and blue. A lot of water has a more greenish tinge to it, especially in areas with a high volume of algae blooms, rivers, lakes, and other freshwater bodies, or where there are more minerals. Where red counteracts blue tones, magenta neutralizes green, making magenta filters more effective when diving in any body of greenish-hued water. With a similar depth rating, magenta filters are best used between depths of 7 feet (around 2 meters) and 72 feet (about 22 meters). Again, you can use a light pink filter for anything shallower than 7 feet, and anything past 72 feet you won't be able to capture well without a dive light (which means you won't need the filter).

Color correcting filters for underwater photography

Take your underwater photography to the next level by using color-correcting filters and see an incredible difference in quality. The best part is you can get a pack of color-correcting filters that slide right onto your underwater iPhone case, so there's no extra bulk or having to deal with complex installation each time. Whether you prefer snorkeling and taking videos of shallow reefs or deep, open ocean dives in search of larger marine creatures, color-correcting filters will ensure that you can capture your experiences as effectively and vividly as possible.