My GoPro Hero 12 underwater settings and modes will help make your diving and snorkeling videos bright and colorful.
We’ll discuss essential accessories for scuba diving and snorkeling, and I’ll give you tips on how to get the most out of your GoPro in your sea adventures.
In this article, you’ll discover essential techniques and insights for capturing stunning underwater videos with your GoPro Hero 12.
The Best GoPro Hero 12 Settings
These settings aim to balance image quality with the unique lighting conditions found underwater:
- Resolution: 4K or 5.3K for high-quality footage. 4K is a good balance between quality and file size, while 5.3K offers more detail for cropping in post-production.
- Frame Rate: 60fps for smooth footage of fast-moving subjects or to create smooth slow-motion effects in post-production. If light is very limited, consider dropping to 30fps to allow more light per frame.
- ISO: Set a max ISO limit of 400 for bright conditions and 800 for darker waters. Lower ISO reduces grain, but underwater settings often require a higher ISO.
- Aperture: The GoPro Hero 11 has a fixed aperture, so no adjustment is needed or possible.
- FOV (Field of View): Use the Wide or SuperView setting for expansive shots capturing more of the underwater environment. Narrow or Linear can be used to reduce the fisheye effect and focus on specific subjects.
- White Balance: Set to Auto for most conditions, as it adjusts to the color temperature underwater. For specific color corrections, manually adjust based on depth and water color.
- Color Profile: Use GoPro Color for vibrant footage straight out of the camera. For more control in post-production, select Flat to capture more detail in shadows and highlights.
- Sharpness: Set to Medium to capture details without over-sharpening, which can be adjusted in post-production if needed.
- Stabilization: Enable HyperSmooth for smooth footage, especially important when moving through the water.
How To Set Up Your GoPro Hero 12 for Underwater Filming
To ensure your GoPro HERO 12 captures the best underwater footage, follow these simple steps:
Safeguard Your Camera
While your GoPro Hero 12 is designed to be waterproof up to 10 meters (33 feet), deeper dives necessitate the use of a protective underwater housing.
This essential accessory shields your camera from water damage and enhances audio quality in your recordings. Always inspect the housing for cleanliness and scratch-free clarity before use.
Waterproof Housing
- Protects your GoPro from mud, dirt and debris during extreme activities
- Front LCD screen remains accessible for viewing
- Waterproof down to 196ft (60m) perfect for deep-water diving
The GoPro Protective Housing emerges as the premier option for safeguarding your Hero 12 camera during underwater adventures. While it may come at a higher price, its value is undeniable, allowing for dives up to 60m/196ft deep. Featuring a skeleton backdoor that enhances audio quality and provides touchscreen access, this housing guarantees exceptional image clarity.
Enhance Underwater Colors
The vibrancy of colors tends to diminish underwater, particularly reds and oranges. Attaching a color filter to your housing can counteract this effect.
Opt for a red filter in blue waters and a magenta filter for greenish waters to boost contrast and make your footage pop. Adjusting your camera’s white balance and color settings according to the aquatic environment is also beneficial.
Red & Magnets Filter Diving Lens
- Compatibility: This 4-pack lens filters are specifically engineered for official...
- Dive Filters: The dive filters offer color correction and helps capture vibrant...
- 5x Close-up Macro Filter: The 5x close-up macro filter is used to magnify scenery,...
Designed for GoPro Hero 12, 11, 10 & 9 Black models, this set comes with Red, Magenta, and Snorkel filters tailored for various depths. Although it doesn’t come with anti-fog inserts, it stands out for providing excellent color correction.
Prevent Fogging
Fogging inside the housing can blur your videos. Prevent this by using anti-fog inserts that absorb moisture and keep the lens clear. Avoid opening the housing in humid conditions and ensure it’s properly sealed before diving.
Stabilize Your Shots
Maintaining camera stability underwater is crucial to avoid shaky footage. Achieve this by mastering buoyancy control and employing the right mount or handle. A dual-hand tray offers maximum stability, though it requires both hands. For more flexibility, consider a floating grip or extendable pole, but be mindful of potential movement. The Hypersmooth 6.0 feature on your GoPro Hero 12 is also a great tool for minimizing shakiness and smoothing out your videos.
Floating Stick/Pole/Grip
- Keeps your GoPro afloat better than ever before so you can shoot in and around the...
- Easy to switch between mounts with a quick release base
- Makes it easy to aim your camera and capture a bunch of different angles
A floating stick, pole, or grip is incredibly handy for underwater GoPro filming for two main reasons:
- It gives you improved control over the camera underwater.
- It stops your camera from sinking. The GoPro Handler Floating Hand Grip, for instance, ensures your GoPro stays buoyant, allowing you to film in water without stress. It’s designed with a bright orange top, making it easy to spot if you drop it. Plus, its comfortable, non-slip design ensures a firm hold.
Diving Camera Rig
- SOLID CAMERA RIG - Strong Aluminum Alloy Tray is corrosion resistant and provides...
- MULTIPLE MOUNTING OPTIONS - Features two cold shoe mounts for LED GoPro light,...
- 1-YEAR WARRANTY: We’ve got your back. Our products are designed to ease your...
The Diving Camera Rig enhances your grip on the camera during scuba diving, enabling you to capture steady, high-quality videos.
Illuminate Your Scene
The underwater world is dimmer and light scatters more than on land, affecting the clarity of your footage.
An external light source, like a video light or strobe attached to your housing or mount, can brighten up your subjects, highlighting their colors and details. The HDR video mode on your GoPro Hero 12 is another way to enhance exposure and dynamic range, making your videos more vivid.
Waterproof LED Lights
- Widely used: Perfect compatibility with Gopro Hero 12/11/10/9/8/7/6/5/4/3/2/1 and Dji...
- GREAT DIVING LIGHTS Take amazing POV underwater video with this Suptig light for...
- WIDE-ANGLE 500Lumen Max. (5500K-6000K) by 36 LEDs.This is THE underwater light to buy...
If you’re diving at night or in deep, shadowy areas where sunlight doesn’t reach, waterproof LED lights can be incredibly useful! The Suptig Waterproof LED Light, compatible with all GoPro cameras, can be submerged up to 45m/147ft. This 500 Lumen LED light with a wide beam has three settings: High for normal lighting, Low for conserving power, and SOS for emergency flashing.
Lens Maintenance
Regularly inspect and clean your GoPro and housing lens to maintain focus and sharpness. Use a soft cloth or lens cleaner to gently remove any debris. After diving, rinse the housing with fresh water and dry it to prevent corrosion.
Understand Your Subject
Underwater visibility and perspective can challenge your perception of size and distance. To capture the best shots, get as close as possible to your subjects without disturbing them. Avoid using zoom, which can degrade video quality. Instead, select the appropriate FOV on your GoPro Hero 12, like wide, linear, or narrow, to adjust your shot’s angle and framing.
Take Your Time
Underwater filming is an experience to be savored, not rushed. Be patient and respectful of marine life, allowing natural moments to unfold. This approach not only yields more authentic footage but also minimizes environmental impact.
Thank you for reading this guide!
I hope that it was helpful in teaching you everything you need to know about how to set up your GoPro Hero 12 for underwater adventures 🙂
Don’t forget to share this article on social media with your family and friends.
Related Articles:
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- How to Shoot Slow Motion Videos with GoPro HERO 12
- GoPro HERO 12 Mic Adapter: Do You Need It?
- GoPro HERO 12: How to Shoot in Low Light & Night
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