Snorkeling footage
Also known as: snorkel video, snorkeling video, shallow water footage
Underwater video shot near the surface while snorkeling, usually in shallow, bright water, with fish, reefs and the surface in frame.
Updated
What it means
Snorkeling footage is filmed while swimming at the surface with a mask and snorkel, diving down briefly to get closer. Because it happens in the top few meters of water, it has more light and color than deep diving footage, and often includes the bright surface ceiling, waves and sunbeams.
It is the most accessible kind of underwater video. A waterproof action camera or a phone in a waterproof case is enough, without the training and gear of scuba diving. Reefs, turtles, fish and friends swimming are the classic subjects, and the light near the surface makes them easier to shoot than at depth, where red filters become necessary.
How it works in practice
Hold the camera on a floating hand grip so it cannot sink. Move slowly and get close to subjects; water reduces contrast and detail with distance, so the closer, the clearer.
Shoot with the sun behind you for color and visibility. Half-and-half shots, part above and part below the water, need an underwater dome port and calm water but look spectacular.
Film at 60 fps or higher for smooth motion in the swell, and keep clips short, focusing on one subject at a time. A short clip of one turtle beats five minutes of drifting over sand.
What to watch out for
Wave motion at the surface makes footage shaky. Dive a little deeper or hold your breath and stay still while filming, letting the subject move through the frame instead of chasing it.
Water drops on a flat lens ruin the above-water part of split shots. Treat or wet the lens just before shooting.
Never touch coral or chase wildlife for a shot. Respect marine life, use reef-safe sunscreen and keep your distance from turtles and rays. Cameras also make swimmers forget their surroundings, so watch currents and boats while filming, and snorkel with a buddy.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip turns snorkeling clips into one highlight: the AI keeps faces, wildlife moments and peak action, removes dull and duplicate footage and cuts the rest to the beat. Underwater color is left as recorded, so use a red filter or grade beforehand if needed.