GoPro / Flip Filters white balance question

[NorCalDawg]

Trying to google for an answer to this question but not finding one. Going on a trip this week and have added a set of FlipFilters and video lights to my GoPro rig - Most videographers seem to agree that white balance should not be left on "Auto" as the GoPro does a poor job of this underwater. Most seem to suggest keeping on "native" and correcting later. Backscatter actually suggests using "Auto" for white balance when used on conjunction with the Flip Filter but then they also suggest using the "natural" color profile instead of "flat," so I'm wondering if their suggested settings are geared more to the person who won't do any post processing. Anyone here have experience with this?

 

[ja_som_tomo]

Leave it on auto if you are not going to do any post-processing. Leave it on flat if you are going to do color corrections. Or you can even make QR codes with different white balance settings for different depths (have not tried this).

Just do not use filters and light at the same time.

 

[ja_som_tomo]

There is a really good series of underwater filming tutorials on the Behind The Mask channel on YouTube.

8 TIPS FOR CINEMATIC UNDERWATER FOOTAGE WITH YOUR ACTION CAMERA

 

[ScottsdaleSteve]

Trying to google for an answer to this question but not finding one. Going on a trip this week and have added a set of FlipFilters and video lights to my GoPro rig - Most videographers seem to agree that white balance should not be left on "Auto" as the GoPro does a poor job of this underwater. Most seem to suggest keeping on "native" and correcting later. Backscatter actually suggests using "Auto" for white balance when used on conjunction with the Flip Filter but then they also suggest using the "natural" color profile instead of "flat," so I'm wondering if their suggested settings are geared more to the person who won't do any post processing. Anyone here have experience with this?

GoPro 11 here, with flip filters and lights. I've been experimenting on four dive trips this year. My observations:
1. Do NOT put it on Auto White Balance. You'll regret it. The color temp jumps around constantly (and very noticeably) as the lighting changes due to the camera pointing up (towards the surface) or down, the depth changes, and when clouds block and unblock the sun. I leave mine on 5500, but from what I read, 6000 is a good choice too.

I color-correct almost all of my clips that were taken without lights. Even with flip filters, they are way too blue out of the camera. The exception is shots taken on a sunny day in clear water shallower than 20 feet. I find no need to color-correct shots taken with lights at any depth. (Keep in mind I'm talking 1 to 2 feet max distance to the subject with lights).

2. Do not use flip filters and lights at the same time. It's one or the other.

3. I had my color profile set on "natural" the whole time, so cannot comment on "flat".

If you have the luxury of time, spend a few dives experimenting with the settings to see what you like, then stick with those settings.

 

[NorCalDawg]

There is a really good series of underwater filming tutorials on the Behind The Mask channel on YouTube.

8 TIPS FOR CINEMATIC UNDERWATER FOOTAGE WITH YOUR ACTION CAMERA

I just found this channel, and this is a good video! I guess I’m just wondering how using a native white balance with their filters would work out in post and whether it’d be a help of a hindrance to leave it on auto. I guess I’ll have to try it both ways and find out, just makes it a bit more of an ordeal to correct later.

 

[NorCalDawg]

GoPro 11 here, with flip filters and lights. I've been experimenting on four dive trips this year. My observations:
1. Do NOT put it on Auto White Balance. You'll regret it. The color temp jumps around constantly (and very noticeably) as the lighting changes due to the camera pointing up (towards the surface) or down, the depth changes, and when clouds block and unblock the sun. I leave mine on 5500, but from what I read, 6000 is a good choice too.

I color-correct almost all of my clips that were taken without lights. Even with flip filters, they are way too blue out of the camera. The exception is shots taken on a sunny day in clear water shallower than 20 feet. I find no need to color-correct shots taken with lights at any depth. (Keep in mind I'm talking 1 to 2 feet max distance to the subject with lights).

2. Do not use flip filters and lights at the same time. It's one or the other.

3. I had my color profile set on "natural" the whole time, so cannot comment on "flat".

If you have the luxury of time, spend a few dives experimenting with the settings to see what you like, then stick with those settings.

This has been my experience with the auto white balance as well, with noticeable changes during the same clip, which I don’t like. I may just try it on native white balance and try to plug in the night after the first dive and see how that looks. Just trying to avoid going the whole week with janky settings that make my post work a PITA.


question though - do you find the manual white balance you set causes any issues when you do use the lights?

 

[arkstorm]

There is a really good series of underwater filming tutorials on the Behind The Mask channel on YouTube.

8 TIPS FOR CINEMATIC UNDERWATER FOOTAGE WITH YOUR ACTION CAMERA

I'm not so sure these tips are applicable to newer GoPros such as 10, 11, 12.

I followed the Backscatter settings guide for my GoPro 11 and have gotten excellent results with no post production.

 

[ScottsdaleSteve]

question though - do you find the manual white balance you set causes any issues when you do use the lights?

No. I find the color with 5500 white balance and lights to be pleasing and consistent, right out of the camera.

I suppose auto white balance would be OK if you only use lights. But I hate auto WB without lights, and I shoot 50% with lights and 50% without during a dive. So I leave WB at 5500 and that works for me with or without lights.

 

[NorCalDawg]

I'm not so sure these tips are applicable to newer GoPros such as 10, 11, 12.

I followed the Backscatter settings guide for my GoPro 11 and have gotten excellent results with no post production.

I suppose the true test is to try it both ways and find out. I will just be second-guessing myself the whole way haha.