How to take split-level water photos with your GoPro

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Hoe maak je split-levelwaterfoto’s met je GoPro?

You've probably seen them before: photos where half of the image is underwater and the other half is above. At first, you might think these photos are edited, but that's not the case. These photos were taken with a special GoPro accessory: a GoPro dome port. A GoPro dome port is a waterproof dome into which you can attach a GoPro or other action camera. This dome keeps the water out and therefore ensures that the waterline is clearly visible. This allows you to take a sharp photo of what's above and below the waterline. In this blog post, we'll discuss exactly what you need to take a split-level water photo, along with helpful tips for the best result.

What do you need for a split-level water photo?

  • A GoPro or action cam : You'll need an action cam to take the photo. There aren't any good smartphone dome ports yet, so unfortunately, you can't take split-level water photos with a smartphone. There are also dome ports for the Osmo Action and Insta360 action cams, so they're also perfectly suitable for this purpose.

  • A dome port : You need a dome port to capture the waterline sharply. With a standard waterproof case for your GoPro or smartphone, it's virtually impossible to capture the waterline sharply.

  • Clear water : To clearly capture both the top and bottom of the waterline, you need clear water. If the water isn't clear, the bottom will be much harder to see, which can create a strange effect in the photo.

  • Good light : To take a good split-level photo, you need good daylight. If it's very cloudy, the underwater image will be less clear and the result will be less beautiful. Ideally, take the photo with the light behind you, otherwise you'll get a lot of glare.

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Making the split-level photo

Taking a split-level photo isn't that complicated. You place the action cam in the dome port, then submerge the dome port about halfway. Then it's just a matter of taking photos until you get the perfect shot. There are a few settings that increase the chances of a good split-level photo:

Institutions

  • Set your action cam to wide-angle mode : Using the wide-angle lens allows you to capture as much of your surroundings as possible.

  • Use burst mode : It can sometimes be tricky to get the perfect shot when you're trying to take a split-level water photo. Waves, for example, can make it difficult to keep the waterline in focus. That's why it's best to set your action cam to burst mode. This increases your chances of capturing that perfect shot.

  • Set your output to RAW : To take a good photo, it's best to set your action cam output to RAW. Setting your output to RAW compresses your photos much less, significantly improving their quality. However, be aware that the size of a RAW file is also significantly larger, which will fill your SD card faster.

Tips for taking a split-level water photo

1. Prevent water droplets on the dome port


 When droplets form on the dome port, they'll be visible in the photo. While this can create a nice effect, it's not always desirable. Fortunately, there are tricks you can use to prevent this. For example, you can apply liquid soap to your dome port. This will prevent droplets from forming on the dome's surface.

2. Use anti-condensation strips


 If you frequently film or photograph in humid environments, your dome port can fog up. This obviously doesn't look good in photos. To prevent this, you can use an anti-fog strip. You can attach this to the sides of your dome or somewhere else out of sight of the lens. The strip absorbs moisture from the inside of the dome, preventing condensation from forming.

3. Take the sun into account


 When shooting split-level images, pay close attention to the sun's position. Ideally, shoot with the sun behind you to avoid lens flare and overexposure. Backlit images often make the upper part of the image too bright and the lower part too dark. In the early morning or late afternoon, the light is softer, creating a better contrast between the sky and the water.

Do you have any questions about taking split-level photos? Feel free to ask us via our contact page ; we're happy to help!

Looking for tips on filming underwater with your GoPro? Then read our blog on filming underwater with your GoPro .

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