In the previous two installments of our GoPro underwater photography guide, we’ve covered the basics of the hardware and settings. Now, we’ll cover how to wear and carry your GoPro for underwater photography.
Mounting a GoPro
Even with all the great features of the GoPro cameras, for me, the mounts set it apart. Being able to attach a hi-res camera to almost anywhere opens a world of possibilities for shooting creative footage. There are a number of professionally produced mounting kits, made by both GoPro and other vendors, for many kinds of situations: mountain- biking helmet straps, handlebar straps, mounts for surfboards, etc. And YouTube is simply teeming with guides for DIY mounts for any situation not covered by these. Some of the most common types of mounts for diving are covered here.
Head or mask mount
A number of divers have tried mounting their GoPro either to the top of their head or to their dive mask, with the advantage being that wherever they look, the camera points. The disadvantage is that the footage can end up somewhat erratic and shaky. We often move our heads more than we’re aware of, but the camera sees, and records, everything. Also, accurate pointing of the camera can be tricky, and there’s no way to usefully use an LCD back screen for aiming. The main problem that I’ve found with this method, though, is that our exhalation bubbles tend to get in the camera’s way. Worse, these bubbles sometimes get stuck on the lens, messing with the autofocus. For freediving, though, a head or mask mount can work quite well.
Selfie stick
The so-called selfie stick is simply a handle that attaches to your GoPro housing. Most of them extend, usually up to a few feet, allowing you to get closer to your subjects, a major advantage for those interested in macro footage. The design also allows you to turn the camera around and film yourself, if that’s your thing. However, some divers, myself included, feel that much of the GoPro’s appeal is that you can attach it somewhere and, to some extent, forget about, which of course you can’t with a selfie stick in your hand. However, for animal footage, this is one of the best options.
Video light mount
A number of manufacturers produce camera mounts for the GoPro that allow you to mount the camera in the middle of two strobe arms, so that you can add video light. The advantage here is, first and foremost, the light, as well as the added stability that a two-handed grip affords. If you’re using an LCD screen, it’s very easy to see it with this configuration. In many ways, it turns a GoPro into a more traditional underwater camera, for better or worse.
Wrist mount
The wrist mount is a simple neoprene wrist strap with a GoPro dive housing attached to it. While it doesn’t allow you to use the LCD screen or any back housing options, and getting close to animals can be a bit tricky, the advantage here is that you’ve got the camera attached in such a way that it allows you to almost forget it’s there when you’re not filming. And when you are filming, you can adjust the mount in a way so as to simply assume a typical cross-arm dive position. You’ll have a fairly stable camera, without feeling like you’re swimming around with a camera. I’ve previously reviewed the wrist mount here on Scuba Diver Life here.
Torch mount
One diver I know has experimented with mounting a GoPro to the top of his dive torch, as a sort of selfie stick with a light attached. For day dives, this works fine, and for night dives, it does add illumination to the footage. However, since the light source is right below the camera lens, backscatter is a problem. The mount itself was made with the standard helmet-strap mount.
Camera-top mount
Some underwater photographers have taken to strapping their GoPro onto their underwater DSLR, and using it to capture B-roll. I have used it the same way for non-underwater photo assignments, but have yet to try it for diving.
I choose the wrist mount for most dives. Doing so allows me to bring a camera and shoot footage without feeling like I’m carrying around a camera. For tropical diving, where animal encounters are very likely, I’ll often switch it out for a selfie stick, as this gives me that much more range.
Picking the mounting option that works best for you is a major part of becoming a good underwater GoPro photographer and videographer. With a bit of imagination, the sky’s the limit on your creativity.
