Underwater Photography in Low‑Visibility (Murky) Water

There’s nothing worse than gearing up for an underwater shoot, getting everything packed, taking a boat out, suiting up, and finally dropping into the water, only to find that the visibility is terrible. Everything looks cloudy and washed out, like you’re shooting through a bowl of soup. You’ve hauled all your gear out there, the conditions aren’t ideal, but you’ve still got to make the most of it.

The tough part is, you can’t control water clarity. It might be perfect when you check in for your dive, and completely different by the time you hit the bottom. Maybe it’s your only dive window for the week. Maybe you’re hoping to catch something rare on camera. But unlike a land-based shoot, you can’t just wait for better light or scout a new spot. You’re in it. And when you’re in it, you have to know how to work with whatever conditions you’ve got.

That’s what this guide is for. Whether you’re freediving, snorkeling, or scuba diving, we’ll cover what causes murky water, how to adapt your approach, and which gear can actually help you get decent shots when the conditions are rough.

What Causes Low Visibility in Water?

Low visibility happens when something interferes with how light moves through the water. Sometimes it’s stirred-up sand from waves or fin kicks. Other times, it’s suspended particles from runoff, algae blooms, or even plankton. You might be diving in a lake with tannins from leaves, or near a beach where surf conditions churn up sediment. It’s especially common after storms or in shallow, protected areas with a lot of foot traffic.

Whatever the cause, it means you’ll be dealing with limited range, diffused light, and images that tend to look flat, grey, or full of distracting specs. The good news is that none of this makes good photography impossible. It just means you’ll need to adapt.

Why Murky Water Is So Tricky to Shoot In

There are a few things that make murky water particularly tough for photographers. First off, your camera has less contrast to work with. Everything in frame tends to blur together, making it hard for autofocus to lock onto your subject. Color tends to vanish too, since particles scatter and absorb light, especially red and yellow tones.

Then there’s backscatter. That’s when your camera’s light reflects off tiny particles between your lens and your subject, creating those little white dots all over your image. It’s especially bad when using flash or strobe directly in front of the camera. And of course, the lack of visibility just makes it harder to find or frame your subject to begin with.

Gear That Helps Underwater Photography in Low‑Visibility Water

Let’s talk about gear, because what you use makes a huge difference when visibility is low. You want equipment that not only protects your phone or camera but also helps you overcome the very challenges that murky water creates.

1. Start with your housing

The ProShot Dive Case is built for scuba diving and low-light conditions. It gives you full control of your iPhone’s camera at depths up to 130 feet, with a high-quality lens window that stays clear and distortion-free. For shallow dives, snorkeling, or freediving, the ProShot Touch 2.0 lets you use your full touchscreen above water, which makes it easier to adjust settings on the surface when things aren’t looking quite right.

2. Lighting is everything

In murky water, natural light often isn’t enough. That’s where the ProShot underwater dive light attachment comes in. It’s a continuous light, not a strobe, so you have more control and less backscatter. The key is to angle your light slightly, instead of pointing it head-on. That way, particles in the water aren’t lit up directly in front of the lens.

3. Color correction is also a game-changer

Because murky water messes with the color spectrum, using the right filter can help your images look more balanced from the start. ProShot’s red filter pack includes red, pink, and magenta filters, each designed for different depths and water types. In green-tinted freshwater, the magenta filter is often the best bet. In tropical or deeper blue water, red tends to restore warmth and contrast.

4. And don’t forget about stability

When conditions are unpredictable, the ProShot Camera Tray helps you keep your shots steady. It’s especially useful for video or slow-shutter photography, where even a small movement can make a murky shot worse. Holding your camera in a stable frame also helps reduce the chance of stirring up more sediment around you.

Camera Settings and Shooting Style for Low‑Visibility Underwater Shoots

Gear helps, but your technique will also play a role. In low-visibility water, getting close to your subject is non-negotiable. We’re talking within 12–18 inches. The farther away you are, the more particulate matter is between your lens and your subject, and the more the image falls apart.

You also want to shoot upward whenever possible. Framing your subject against the light, whether it’s the surface or just a brighter patch of water, helps to create separation and depth in the image. If your camera app allows it, shoot in RAW. That’ll give you more flexibility in post-processing, especially for color correction and exposure tweaks. And manual white balance can save your image from looking like it was taken in a greenish soup.

Burst mode is helpful too, especially if your subject is moving or visibility is fluctuating. Sometimes you only get a split second of clarity, and burst mode increases your chances of catching that perfect frame. And lastly: move slowly. Sudden movements can stir up sediment, and it’s easy to lose your sense of orientation when visibility drops. Take your time and let the scene unfold. You’ll get better results and reduce the risk of fogging up your lens or creating more backscatter.

Lighting Techniques That Actually Work in Murky Water

Let’s dig a little deeper into lighting, because it’s one of the most misunderstood pieces of murky water photography. A lot of people think a stronger light will solve everything. But if that light is aimed straight ahead, it’s going to illuminate every tiny particle between you and your subject. That’s what creates that snowstorm look in your photo.

Instead, use side lighting or angle your light just slightly off axis. If you’re using the ProShot light attachment, mount it so it sits to the side of your lens, and experiment with tilting it up or down. You’re trying to light the subject without lighting all the junk in the water around it. Sometimes it also helps to reduce brightness a bit. A softer, diffused light creates more natural shadows and doesn’t highlight the fog in the same way a harsh beam does.

Editing Tips to Recover Detail and Color in Post

Even if you’ve done everything right underwater, chances are you’ll want to clean up your shots afterward. Start by correcting exposure and contrast to bring more depth back into the photo. Then move on to color balance. Adjust the temperature and tint until your subject looks natural again. If your image looks grainy (and many will), apply just enough noise reduction to smooth things out without losing too much texture.

One trick that works really well for murky shots is to increase clarity or dehaze, especially if your subject is well-lit but the background is muddy. That contrast can make your subject pop even if the rest of the frame stays soft. You can even edit underwater photos on your iPhone using a smartphone app.

Places Where Underwater Visibility Is Bad, But the Shots Are Worth It

Don’t write off a location just because it isn’t crystal clear. Some of the most unique underwater environments are murky by nature. Freshwater lakes often have tannin-stained water that creates a moody, cinematic look. Mangrove forests, tidal estuaries, and cenotes all offer incredible biodiversity, even if visibility isn’t great. And even the shallows along sandy beaches can turn up interesting shapes, textures, and animal behavior.

What matters is how you frame the shot, how close you get, and how well you manage the elements. Low-visibility photography rewards patience and curiosity. It’s less about shooting wide, and more about getting intimate with the details.

Final Thoughts on Underwater Photography in Low-Visibility Conditions

Murky water might feel like a creative block, but it’s really just a different kind of challenge. It forces you to slow down, to get close, and to make deliberate choices. And if you’ve got tools that are built to handle those conditions, like those from the ProShot lineup, it’s completely possible to walk away with strong, usable images. Don’t wait for perfect water. Get out there, adapt, experiment, and capture what others overlook.