Diving with a GoPro
A GoPro is a very handy camera. It is small, can take both photos and videos, it is waterproof and can be used at depth! Making it very attractive to divers.
In fact, just about every second diver has a Go-Pro but not everyone has good buoyancy which should be one of the first criteria for using the camera. Something we notice is that once someone whips out a GoPro under water it becomes their main focus. Recording the moment is more important than being present and making the memory in your head.
Of course, we understand that you may want to re-live your dive once you are back home, so we have some tips to offer if you are a GoPro owner.
- For your first dive we encourage you to just concentrate on the diving, especially if you haven’t dived in a while. Get your buoyancy correct and refamiliarize yourself with the gear and the actual feel of diving.
- When using your GoPro don’t forget your surroundings. Make sure you aren’t getting too close to wildlife and the reef or too far away from your buddy.
- You don’t have to record everything. Maybe try to keep the camera in your pocket for half the dive, or only use it when there is something extra special.
- Don’t make long videos. Try making a number of shorter ones. Also remember to edit, especially if you intend to post them on social media.
- Hold the GoPro very steady, don’t swing it around too much or make jerky movements. This will avoid making the viewer very dizzy.
- Take videos in shallow water, you will have more light. Use a red filter when you take videos deeper than 10 meters.
- Consider getting more storage for your computer or a separate hard drive were you keep all your movies.
If you really like the idea of underwater photography, you could try doing a speciality course where you learn in depth about how to take good photos underwater. View some of our GoPro videos on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Remember to enjoy your dive, take it all in. Try not dive through your view finder!
