30th May 2024
A must for any dive is a waterproof housing of some sort, making sure your GoPro can handle the depths of Koh Tao.
Water absorbs color, and even just a small amount of use will lessen the distortion effect.
Red and magenta filters are used to correct this cause for usable footage that is true to life in real color. This is starting to solve your absence of light under water and it should work well with proper underwater lighting, this gives you an annularity necessary for the clarity and depth in your videos.
Stabilizers such as hand grips and tray systems are used to create smooth, professional-looking video.
So, to take the plunge into the turquoise waters of Koh Tao, don’t forget to start by choosing a diving-friendly GoPro! 5K Video Resolution – The newest models, such as the GoPro HERO9 or HERO10,treat adventurers to a breathtaking and detailed view of 5K video resolution. They have good stabilization too, which is important especially when navigating around high waters. Also ensure your GoPro is capable of high frame rate capture, to be able to slow down that footage and experience every moment in vivid detail.
While most modern GoPro models are waterproof themselves, you will need additional protection for diving on Koh Tao. The best of the best: GoPro Hero9 Black — Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5K Ultra HD Video, 20MP Photos,1080p Live Streaming Stabilization That is not only a matter of keeping out water, but also protecting your camera from the pressure at depths of up to 30 meters or more. Because without it, you’re risking your memories and your gear. Try to find housing models which are made for the Gopro version you have (in my case the GoPro4 Black) so it fits perfectly.
Have you ever watched a video that was filmed underwater and the colors appear pale, or even blue. This is because red and orange are colors that water absorbs. To restore the vibrancy of your videos, you will already want red and magenta filters. These filters are your GoPro’s sunglasses, they bring back the colors so you can better capture what is hiding in the reef. Essentially red filters are ideal for blue water conditions and magenta will make an underwater photograph pop in green water conditions. Just a reminder, the darker you go, the heavier your color correction will be.
“GoPro Underwater Video Lights [Detailed …” from www.housingcamera.com and used with no modifications.
Underwater, the behaviour of light changes. It doesnt just dim, it diffuses too so will make your footage look muddy if you are not on the ball. Having the right lighting can greatly enhance the outcome. All the better to capture detail in shipwrecks or beautiful, brightly coloured coral reefs that make Koh Tao’s underwater world so interesting to film. It is not simply about being able to see, but about those shots that will leave you breathless on dry land as well.
Deciding on the best lights for your underwater GoPro rig can be incredibly overwhelming, its much more straightforward than you’d think. Get the LED lights which have a bulb wide beam so that it can light up more areas without creating hotspots. The light is also concievable at variable degrees of brightness, good if waters are deep or the natural light begins to fade. It takes a more considerate mind than any of the animals you would film to use those red light modes, which most lights brag about because they are less intimidating and thus help getting natural behavior recorded.
Underwater lighting isn’t just about which torch is the most powerful, it’s all about placement. To prevent backscatter and suspended particles distracting from your foreground subject, position your lights slightly away from your lens. That even helps minimize the likelihood of particles glaring light back at your camera directly. Two lights with arms no more than a foot or so from the camera will help ensure nearly uniform lighting across your frame. The dual-lighting approach also ensures very little shadow is produced and the underwater landscape textures and colors really pop.
“Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera Handles …” from www.bhphotovideo.com and used with no modifications.
The underwater realm presents its own issues even with GoPro’s in-camera stabilization. You definitely do not want some wobbly footage capturing the calm and clear beauty of Koh Tao due to currents or your own buoyancy influence. This is where stabilizing gear comes in. These accessories assist your work to not let you divert from focusing on what truly matters which is how the frame of the shot should be?
For 100 bucks, I used to mount a hand grip and call it even. They’re more upstream, relatively simple to manage and drive better than the harder fishes. For ultimate support, get a set with handles built in. Larger sides on trays mean a wider base support, that typically leads to a smoother experience. In addition, you have position points for mounting your lights = killing two birds with one rock; stability as well as lighting.
Float arms for make non compromising buoyancy one of the benefits to your rig when you add float arms. They help stabilize your rig, ensuring that it is neutrally buoyant. As a result, you can release the camera and it stays still — helpfully allowing you to fix your mask or just admire the surroundings without needing to manage your gear.
Now that you have some fundamentals in place, let’s explore the tech that can make a good dive great. We’re talking the game-changers – tools that add a whole new level to your time beneath the waves.
The display on your GoPro would show such things as the depth and water temperature of your dive in real time. That’s where Smart HUD (Heads-Up Display) attachments come in. More than just cool gadgets, they allow you to monitor critical dive metrics without moving your eye from the viewfinder
You really do not want the GoPro to turn off half way through your awesome dive. Longer life batteries and power banks to make sure you never run out of juice while capturing the moments. With some housings you can even use additional batteries, that switch out underwater. Make sure to inspect the seals though — a flooded camera is your dives ruined!
“The best video editing software …” from www.creativebloq.com and used with no modifications.
Now you’re back with gigabytes of beautiful footage. The next step is to take those clips turn them into stories that will impress your friends and family. Good diving editing software will help you showcase the best parts of your time underwater, add in music, and even overlay those clever HUD metrics for a polished finish.
You need a fancy editing suite like adobe premiere pro or final cut pro to do color grading and clip stabilization, which are critical aspects underwater editing. If you want something a bit more user-friendly, GoPro’s own Quik app, or my person favorite Cap-Cut, let you create clips and share them right from your phone.
Posting videos of your dive adventures is more than just showcasing the trip- it tells a story. Draw them with an epic opening shot, keep your cuts tight to avoid losing their interest and throw in a selfie or two (Serious moments only. GoPro scripts your underwater stories!Tell your tales from the depths of YouTube or Instagram, just keep in mind to hashtag correctly to attract other diving lovers.
After You Dive: Rinse Your Gear Maintaining your GoPro and accessories will assure you that they are ready when you take them for a spin underwater again
The first step is to clean the gear in freshwater, removing any salt and sand. Next, allow your gear to completely dry before unzipping or opening any housings or compartments. Do not leave your GoPro and accessories in moist or under the sun. This basic routine can easily double or triple the life of your gear.
While your GoPro is going to do most of the heavy lifting, don’t neglect the other bits and bobs that make up a scuba kit. Also, wetsuits, fins and masks require proper care as well. Wash in fresh water, lie them out to dry in the shade and remove from heat sources. Remember — your gear will take care of you on YOUR next dive if you take care of them!
Joining the diving community is one of the best ways to improve your underwater experiences. The RAID (Rebreather Association of International Divers) organization offers a diverse array of courses, from the first steps into technical diving to professional-level instructor certification.
RAID is so much more than just diving safely — RAID courses build skills and confidence. You will be taught about buoyancy control, navigation and even underwater photography which can only lead to enhancing your GoPro footage. What more, you’ll become a part of other like minded divers love the pleasure immersion into the deep world.
The next step is to start communicating your passion with others and devouring the passion of others. There is no better way then to attend RAID community events. These meet ups, usually conducted in dive meccas such as Koh Tao and attended by like-minded divers from all corners of Earth. You can tell your stories, connect new shots and keep adding more GoPro tips to your knowledge base. These typically provide workshops on underwater photography and videography allowing you to improve on your skills versus entering with your best work.
All GoPro cameras are rated to go diving down to a depth of 10 meters (33 feet) without a housing, but dive specific housings extends that safe limit all the way out to 60m (196ft). This allows you to discover nearly all of Koh Tao dive sites, without the stress of destroying your camera. Be aware, though, that the deeper you go, the more light and filters — as accessories — you need to get sharp footage.
Absolutely! That is why GoPros are the best choice for scuba diving:compact, easy to use and can take high quality video and photo. Their wide-angle footage captures the splendor of the great blue world, and followed up with some accessories you can take home silky-smooth cinematography from your underwater adventures.
For underwater footage, you’ll want to use settings that capture as much detail as possible. Set your GoPro to the highest resolution and frame rate it supports. For example, 4K at 60fps is great for clarity and slow-motion editing. Turn on the Hypersmooth stabilization feature to counteract the movement of the water. And most importantly, use the appropriate color correction filters to ensure your colors pop just as they do in real life.
Set GoPro to highest resolution and frame rate
Enable Hypersmooth stabilization
Use color correction filters for true-to-life colors
To protect your GoPro from water damage, always ensure that the seals on your camera and any housings are clean and free from debris. After each dive, rinse your gear in fresh water to remove salt and sand, which can compromise the seals. And always do a pre-dive check in shallow water to look for leaks.
Across from the big 7/11 in the middle of the island road between Mae Haad and Sairee, there is a mobile phone shop that sells GoPro accessories, or if you have more time you can find everything you need on the Thai version of Amazon, Lazada. It might take 3-4 days to arrive.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned pro, our school is your portal to the wonders of scuba diving. Join us into the world beneath the waves.
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