Post-Production: quality is born underwater
Many believe that post-production is a magic wand capable of transforming any underwater clip into a cinematic masterpiece. The reality is quite different: computer can make a difference, but only if the base file was shot with the right parameters and, above all, is rich in information.
If a clip is recorded with inadequate settings, the data necessary to work correctly will be missing, especially regarding colors and shadows. In these cases, trying to fix it during the editing phase only means bringing out video noise and artifacts. The goal, therefore, is not to “color” a dull video, but to extract the beauty from a file that already contains a huge amount of data.
The web is full of influencers who promise the “definitive setting” for GoPro, assuring that by following it to the letter, you’ll end up straight on National Geographic. Wrong: it is the fastest way to obtain mediocre results because using the same setup for every dive is a big mistake. The underwater environment is extremely variable: light changes depending on depth, water clarity (suspension), time of day, and the position of the sun.
Personally, during the same dive, I change the settings several times to adapt them to the changing conditions. Since the protective housing inhibits the use of the touch screen, I use different presets that I activate via the GoPro “secret menu” or, for finer adjustments, I rely on the GoPro Labs QR Codes that I have specifically prepared. This is where the difference is made: through GoPro Labs, we have the possibility to “hack” our camera’s software limits. For example, to maximize color information and obtain real advantages in post-production, in addition to using 10-Bit color, I use the WIDE extension. This function records exactly what the lens perceives, without compression, unlocking the sensor’s real color capabilities.
To record all this information without loss, it is essential to adjust the bitrate. While in the standard version it is set at about 120 Mb/s, with my “hacks” I work at extreme speeds, between 180 and 200 Mb/s. Another crucial step is noise control: by delegating this management to the app I use for post-production (and not to the camera’s internal software), I am able to preserve many more details in the shadows which, as we know, are very present in underwater videos.
Understanding which parameters to modify at 10 or 30 meters, how to manage video noise, and how to configure the GoPro to get the most out of your files is not a matter of luck, but of method.
In the GoPro Hacks section (accessible with the site’s Membership), I explain every single setting in detail, with dozens of practical examples and configurations tested in the field for every situation. Furthermore, I dive deeper than ever before into the GoPro Labs universe for diving, guiding you through the firmware installation and the setting of all the vital extensions for our environment. We will make concepts that might seem complicated at first glance simple to understand.
The content is always up to date and in step with the latest technologies. Do you want to take your videos to the next level? I’ll see you in GoPro Hacks!