How to Take Underwater Photos with your iPhone That Stand Out

When it comes to capturing the magic beneath the waves with an iPhone, it isn’t just about pointing and shooting. Taking pictures with your phone in an iPhone underwater case is an art form that combines technical know-how, creative vision, and the right gear.

So, how do you take your underwater iPhone photography from casual snapshots to striking, print-worthy shots? To capture those perfect shots, you need to master several things simultaneously. These include composition, camera settings, subject choice, and equipment considerations.

The ProShot Dive 2.0 Case

Mastering Underwater Photography

Composition

The bottom line with any photography is that composition and subject selection are what separates a memorable photo from one destined to the great hard drive in the sky. The environmental conditions of water make composition challenging but also present opportunities for some truly stunning images.

Rule of Thirds and Beyond

One of the easiest ways to add emotion, action, and perspective to your images is through the rule of thirds. Here are some simple tips to use the rule of thirds effectively:

• Imagine your screen split into a 3×3 grid. Place the subject of your photo at intersecting points or along gridlines.

• Position creatures or divers off-center on the two vertical lines to create tension and a sense of movement.

• Use negative space—areas of open water that help draw the eye to the subject, giving it room to “breathe” in the image.

  
  

Layering and Depth

Creating a layered image with a big depth of field is key to dynamic images filled with action. Imagine an image of a small fish in the foreground, a diver behind it, and a large shark behind them. This setup creates a masterpiece of tension. Here are keys to successful layering and depth:

• Ensure you have a clear foreground, middle ground, and background to draw viewers deeper into each scene.

• A foreground element might be a swaying anemone or fish, while the mid-ground features a school of fish, and the sea floor or deep blue ocean fills the background.

• Overlap the layers so they blend naturally, guiding the eye gently through the composition.

  
  

Using Lines and Natural Frames

Maximize what Mother Nature gives you, from beams of light to pieces of rocks and coral. Clever ways to use lines and frames include:

• Beams of sunlight create stunning images, especially when positioned to point directly at your subject.

• Wrecks, rocks, arches, and overhanging coral pinnacles create frames. Use them to focus attention on the subject within them.

  
  

Silhouettes and Contrast

Silhouettes and contrast can create stunning images, especially for recognizable shapes like divers, sharks, and manta rays. Here are some tricks:

• Dive deeper and position yourself so your subject is backlit against the bright surface light.

• Underexpose your images slightly to show creatures as dark, dramatic shapes against a lighter background.

  
  

Minimalism and Color Blocks

A minimalistic approach can create outstanding images. Depending on your environment, utilizing color blocks can elevate your image:

• Use expanses of uniform color and place one small subject within the frame.

• A lone starfish or jellyfish against a monochrome background (sand or water) delivers a striking, minimalist composition.

  
  

Camera Settings

Today’s iPhones have cameras that are stunning image machines. However, they are tuned for land photography. Capturing standout underwater shots requires fine-tuning the iPhone camera's settings to maximize its potential.

White Balance and Color Profiles

Water significantly impacts light underwater. Without proper color correction, you will lose most reds in your images. Without proper white balance, your images may appear washed out with a blue tint.

• Use manual white balance presets (e.g., “Sunny,” “Cloudy”) or custom Kelvin adjustments (around 5500K–6500K) to restore warm color tones.

• Alternatively, shoot in RAW to correct white balance precisely in post-production without quality loss.

  
  

A great workaround for adjusting white balance when using the ProShot Dive 2.0 Case is to use one of the add-on red filters from the Red Filter pack. Use the red filter for blue water, the magenta filter for green water, and the pink filter for snorkeling. Using a filter eliminates most of the need to adjust your white balance since it will add color back into your image.

Focus Modes and Depth-of-Field

Mastering focus enables you to hone in on your subjects. Continuous autofocus tracks moving fish but can wander in low-contrast areas. If you lock focus on a key subject, you can take time to recompose your shot. You can also use simulated bokeh for close-up marine portraits or to isolate fish or coral details.

If you are using the ProShot Dive 2.0 Case and app, which utilize autofocus, you can focus on mastering your technique without worrying too much about manual focus adjustments. These can be very challenging underwater unless you are a highly experienced underwater photographer.

Burst Mode and Timed Shots

If you are shooting fast-moving subjects or schools of fish that dart left and right, burst mode is your friend. Taking a burst of shots allows you to capture many images to find that one perfect shot. Alternatively, use a timer to allow divers to group together for that perfect underwater group shot.

While you cannot usually adjust the number of images captured in burst mode, one of the main advantages of the ProShot Dive 2.0 Case is that you can adjust the number of images in burst shot from the app during the dive. This is useful for capturing a school of fish darting around or a few larger fish swimming by.

Choose the Right Lens Options

When it comes to lenses, consider using an ultrawide lens to capture sweeping reef landscapes or large creatures like whale sharks. The primary (wide) lens is ideal for balanced perspectives and sharper detail. Macro fans can use a clip-on to make capturing macro shots a breeze. Keep in mind that if you need additional lenses, you're likely moving into a higher realm of image-taking and should consider switching to a dedicated setup for those images. Some pro photographers dive with two or three cameras.

That said, if you want an all-round underwater image powerhouse, pairing the iPhone with the ProShot Dive 2.0 Case and app is a great choice. The inbuilt lenses are more than capable of meeting the needs of most underwater photographers.

Flash and Natural Light

In an ideal world, always try to use ambient light near the surface (within 15–20 feet) and avoid using the onboard flash. If you dive deeper, external strobes or lights are needed to bring out true colors.

If you are using the ProShot Dive 2.0 Case with your iPhone, your best option is to pair it with the ProShot Camera tray and a pair of Underwater Dive Lights. This way, your scene will always be perfectly lit, and you won't need to worry too much about color correction.

RAW vs. JPEG

Your love of post-processing will determine whether to shoot in RAW or JPEG. RAW files preserve the maximum amount of data and are best suited for post-production. JPEGs are smaller and ready to share immediately, but you can do less to them in post-production. One caveat about shooting RAW is that the image size in MBs is massive.

For ultimate white balance control when using your ProShot Dive 2.0 Case, toggle the RAW setting before inserting it into your case. Now you can add all the color you need in post-processing.

Subject Choice

No subject is inherently better than another. Every subject, from the humble sea star and nudibranch to a great white and octopus, can star in a world-class pic. The key to subject choice is to stick to a few principles:

• Marine Life: Behavior and habitat are key. A picture of a fish doing something is far more interesting than just a fish! Always try to have your subject actively engaged.

• Seascapes: Wide-angle shots that highlight drama are essential. Wide canyons, reefs teeming with life, or reefs affected by coral bleaching all stand out dramatically.

• Macro Gold: The underwater macro world is home to stunning creatures. Many photographers specialize purely in the macro world.

• Humans: Humans make great subjects, especially in silhouette. A freediver hanging in the water column against the sun’s rays can create a truly emotive image.

  
  

The ProShot Dive 2.0 Case

For truly standout underwater photos, a specialized underwater iPhone housing transforms your iPhone into a photo machine. Among many models on the market, one of the best is the ProShot Dive 2.0 Case. It provides your iPhone with robust protection, gives you full control, and is designed for iPhone users at all skill levels.

Features of the ProShot Dive 2.0 Case

The ProShot Dive 2.0 Case is compatible with every iPhone model, from the latest iPhone 16 Pro Max to older SE versions. It boasts an impressive 130 feet (40 meters) depth rating, making it ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, and freediving.

The rugged design features custom silicone bumpers that reinforce the top and bottom edges. The floating hand grip ensures your iPhone won't sink if accidentally dropped underwater. Additionally, the rugged design comes with a travel case featuring organized compartments and accessories, including a microfiber cloth, wrist strap, and more. The ProShot Dive 2.0 Case also includes a dedicated O-ring cleaning kit and a tube of silicone grease. The latest edition features an anti-glare filter to minimize surface reflections and glare in bright conditions.

Underwater Photos with your iPhone & The ProShotCase Camera App

The ProShotCase Camera App is the perfect tool to ensure your iPhone and ProShot Dive 2.0 Case work seamlessly. The app unlocks full control via your phone’s volume buttons. You can use the buttons to cycle through modes, including photo, video, slo-mo, zoom, and more, as well as capture the shot or start and stop video recording.

Final Thoughts

While we have examined the primary considerations that enable you to capture stunning underwater pictures with your iPhone, additional factors can elevate your images and experience. Ensuring you have perfect buoyancy control minimizes camera shake and avoids disturbing marine life.

Scout dive sites in advance and time your session to optimize conditions for light, marine life, and environmental factors. Join forums, clubs, and workshops. Learning from others' experiences is a sure-fire way to accelerate your photography skills!