GoPro Tips
May 26, 2020

Welcome! You are now tuned into the GoPro Creator Series. This unfiltered series gives an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how our favorite GoPro Family members are creating content. Grab your notepads, because the following is chock-full of how-to tips + best practices that you’ll want to tap into the next time you charge up your GoPro. 

Nicole Teeraporn Ramkomut, better known as Nicole.Aloha, picked up a HERO4 Silver as her first GoPro ever in 2015. This wasn’t all she picked up, though. This is when Nicole also started freediving in the south of Thailand. Her diving, as well as her GoPro use, have taken off since then, and we are continuously in awe of the underwater beauty she shares. Nicole has truly mastered the art of underwater photography using GoPro. 

 

Here are Nicole’s Top 5 Tips + Tricks for using a GoPro action camera in the ocean.

 

1. For Underwater Selfies, Accessories Matter

When it comes to dive shots, first thing's first—get yourself a Super Suit! The extra casing is ideal for deep-water diving as it’s waterproof down to 196 ft (60m); whereas the GoPro on its own is guaranteed to 33ft (10m).

To capture the best underwater selfie, I recommend using a longer selfie stick like my trusty El Grande and setting the digital lens to Wide. This makes it so your GoPro will capture your entire body in addition to the the background. I promise it won’t awkwardly crop out your head—trust me I learned from experience! 

  • Resolution: 2.7K
  • Mode: Video
  • Lens: Wide
  • Color: GoPro

2.  Use More LiveBurst: Capture Photo + Video in 1 Click

This is my favorite feature introduced on HERO8 Black. Now, I don’t have to choose between photo or video, LiveBurst lets me take both at the same time. In 1.5 seconds, this little camera delivers 90 still images, which can be rendered into a 3-second 4K video clip too, cool right? This feature is best for action (my favorite is for jumping off the boat or getting split shots using a GoPro-compatible dome). With LiveBurst, you have options for choosing the perfect shot.

3. Try Creative New Things Every Day

Take a risk or lose the chance! Sometimes, you just have to be a little bit crazy and do things outside your comfort zone. Sinking a GoPro is one of my favorites. I was finding normal selfies to be boring, so I thought why don’t we throw it away (kidding, kind of)! By letting the GoPro sink to the ocean floor, it changed my perspective of capturing the moment underwater. Just make sure you can get it back!

For this shot, I chose a dive spot that was 10 meters deep, so I knew I could find the GoPro after. You can get another awesome shot by diving down and placing your GoPro on the sand intentioanlly. Then, have your friends swim around the surface in the frame (shooting from worm’s-eye view).

  • Resolution: 2.7K
  • Mode: Video
  • Lens: Wide
  • Color: GoPro

4. Capture Marine Life—From a Safe Distance!

Filming sea creatures is challenge because they're moving, swimming creatures, unlike coral or underwater statues. Sharks, for example, move very quickly, so I suggest you set your digital lens to Linear to make objects look bigger. Wide or SuperView digital lenses tend to make the object, or shark for example, appear to be very tiny unless you’re really close to it. Also, when you encounter an animal like a sea turtle, shark or whale shark, please stay as still and quiet as possible so that you don’t drive them out.

  • Resolution: 2.7K
  • Mode: Video
  • Lens: Linear
  • Color: GoPro

5. Take GoPro Everywhere With Your Friends

Why? Because every single day is full of surprise! You never know which amazing shot you’ll get. Yoga in the morning, freedive under the sea or sailing on the boat—just take GoPro everywhere you go together with your friends to capture fun and creative content, and always let your friends try it—you never know what they’ll get! This will also makes your content look lively and colorful. And the most important thing for divers: NEVER DIVE ALONE, baby! It’s for your own safety :)

Bonus PRO TIPS for underwater GoPro photography:

  • Turn Screen Lock On: The first thing you should do before jumping in the ocean is turn on the screen lock so your settings don't change accidentally in the water. Do this by swiping from top to bottom on the back LCD screen and tapping the lock icon. Once you’re underwater, change modes by tapping the mode button on the side of the GoPro.
  • Lick Your Lens: You can never lick your lens enough! Licking the lens and then dunking the camera prevents water drops from forming.
  • Care for your GoPro: Take a shower together with your GoPro—seriously. Wash your GoPro with fresh water every time you use it in the ocean to preserve sealants and  prevent build up from the salt water.

Head over to the GoPro Tips YouTube channel for more Creator Series inspiration.