Top Mistakes New Underwater Photographers Make and How to Avoid Them

Underwater photography is one of the most rewarding creative pursuits out there, but it's also one of the most technically challenging. Capturing the ocean’s beauty demands more than a good eye. It requires specialized gear, careful planning, and a clear understanding of what not to do.

Whether you’re snorkeling in shallow reefs or diving 100 feet deep, avoiding the most common underwater photography mistakes can make the difference between a blurry, blue-hued disaster and an image worth printing.

At ProShot, we’ve worked with countless divers, snorkelers, and underwater creators. We’ve seen the same beginner pitfalls come up again and again. In this guide, we’ll break down the most common mistakes new underwater photographers make and exactly how to avoid them so you can create content that does justice to the world beneath the waves.

1. Skipping Color Correction (and Ending Up with a Blue Mess)

The mistake: One of the first things new underwater photographers notice is that their photos and videos look overwhelmingly blue or green. That’s because water absorbs light differently than air, and reds, oranges, and yellows disappear fast, even just a few feet below the surface.

How to fix it: Always use color correction tools, either in post-production or during filming. For best results, add physical red filters to your gear. Red filters help restore the lost warmth and contrast, especially when filming at depth.

ProShot Tip: Our Red Filter 3 Pack is specially designed for use with both the ProShot Dive Case and the ProShot Touch 2.0 Case, with variations tuned for snorkeling (Pink Filter), blue water diving (Red), and green water environments (Magenta). These filters make a noticeable difference in your footage straight out of the water, saving you hours in post.

2. Using the Wrong Housing (or None at All)

The mistake: Trusting a cheap, generic phone bag or skipping a housing altogether is a surefire way to damage your device and lose the shot. Many new underwater photographers assume a splash-proof phone case is “good enough,” until it leaks at 10 feet and fries their phone.

How to fix it: Invest in a housing that’s purpose-built for underwater photography and rated for the depth you’ll be shooting at. Check compatibility, depth ratings, and ensure it seals properly.

ProShot Tip: Our ProShot Dive Case is depth-rated to 130 feet (40m) and includes a 12-month iPhone Protection Guarantee, so you can shoot deep dives with total peace of mind. For snorkelers and surface shooting, our Touch 2.0 Case is fully touchscreen-compatible above water and rated to 50 feet (15m), with a universal fit for every iPhone model.

3. Not Understanding How Light Works Underwater

The mistake: Beginners often assume their camera will expose and focus the same way underwater as it does on land. In reality, light behaves very differently under the surface. It fades faster, diffuses more, and bends in ways that distort perception.

How to fix it: Understand the limits of natural light and plan your shoots around optimal times of day. For clearer, more colorful photos, shoot during midday when sunlight penetrates the water more directly. Also, stay close to your subject. Water reduces contrast and sharpness the farther away you are.

ProShot Tip: If you’re diving beyond 25 feet or shooting in low light, consider upgrading your setup with a dive light or our camera tray & dive light bundle. These accessories allow you to manually control your light source and reduce noise in your footage.

4. Not Practicing Buoyancy Control Before Shooting

The mistake: One of the biggest barriers to underwater photo success isn’t your gear, it’s your body. New photographers often struggle with floating too much, sinking unexpectedly, or kicking up sand that ruins the shot. Poor buoyancy control can lead to blurry photos, damaged reefs, and even safety risks.

How to fix it: Before you bring your camera into the water, practice neutral buoyancy and controlled breathing. If you’re diving, complete a buoyancy specialty course. If snorkeling, practice staying horizontal and still while adjusting your breath to control depth.

ProShot Tip: The ProShot Touch 2.0 and ProShot Dive Case come with a floating hand grip that keeps your rig stable and easier to manage in the water. Less flailing = more control.

5. Forgetting to Pre-Set Camera Controls

The mistake: You’re underwater, you see the perfect shot… but your screen is locked, or your settings are wrong, and you can’t fix them. Sound familiar?

How to fix it: Pre-set your camera settings before your dive or snorkel. Use your phone’s volume buttons (or a camera app that supports button control) to shoot without relying on the touchscreen.

ProShot Tip: Our ProShotCase app is built for underwater use and gives you full control via your phone’s volume buttons. With version 8.3 (released April 2025), we’ve improved the UI and shooting logic to make things even smoother. Bonus: all footage saves directly to your iPhone’s camera roll for easy access.

6. Not Getting Close Enough to Your Subject

The mistake: Water reduces sharpness and clarity over distance, which means photos shot from far away often look dull or hazy. Many beginners play it safe and zoom in digitally, which only makes things worse.

How to fix it: Get as close to your subject as you can. Aim for 12 to 18 inches if possible. Use your legs or fins to move, not your zoom function. And don’t be afraid to wait for your shot. Patience always pays off underwater.

ProShot Tip: Our cases are compact and lightweight, meaning you can get up-close without bulky housings slowing you down. For advanced setups, the camera tray keeps your shots steady, especially for macro or slow-pan footage.

7. Not Rinsing or Maintaining Gear Properly

The mistake: Saltwater is corrosive. Sand and sunscreen can jam buttons. Failing to rinse your gear after every session can shorten its life, or worse, cause leaks.

How to fix it: After every dive or snorkel, rinse your housing in freshwater thoroughly. Press all the buttons to flush out salt and sand. Let everything dry completely before storing it in a protective case.

ProShot Tip: Every ProShot housing comes with a protective travel case to keep your gear safe between shoots. We also recommend using the provided microfiber cloth in your kit to dry your lenses and housing ports.

8. Trying to Shoot Without a Plan

The mistake: New photographers often go underwater without a clear goal, hoping for spontaneous magic. The result? Random footage, missed moments, and inconsistent results.

How to fix it: Pre-plan your shots. Think about lighting, subject type, framing, and where your best opportunities will be. Create a mental or written shot list. Time your entry with optimal sunlight, tides, and visibility.

ProShot Tip: Because our housings are compatible with all iPhones, you can scout and plan your shoot using apps like Dive+ for conditions, Google Maps for reef layout, or even your phone's compass to track light direction. Then shoot it all seamlessly in the ProShotCase app with zero file transfers needed.

9. Overediting in Post

The mistake: After a shoot, it’s tempting to crank up contrast, saturation, and clarity. But going overboard in post can create unnatural colors and mask what could have been a better photo with proper shooting technique.

How to fix it: Start with minimal edits: adjust white balance, exposure, and sharpness first. Use natural presets if you're working in Lightroom or mobile editing apps. And remember: the better the footage in-camera, the less you’ll need to fix later.

ProShot Tip: When you use the right filters and lighting from the start, you’ll save hours in post. Many of our customers report needing “almost no editing” when they shoot with a red filter at depth.

Final Thoughts: Gear Doesn’t Make the Photographer, But the Right Tools Help

The ocean is unpredictable. Lighting conditions change, currents shift, and wildlife is never on cue. But with the right preparation, and the right underwater photography gear, you can minimize your chances of making common mistakes and maximize your ability to capture the underwater world in all its beauty.

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into underwater photography or planning your next 100-foot dive, ProShot is here to help you create, protect, and explore. With universal compatibility, depth-rated reliability, and a growing set of accessories, we’re proud to support new and seasoned underwater storytellers alike.