Why one filter does not fit a whole clip
Every metre of depth and every metre between you and the subject removes more red light. In a single dive clip you descend, turn towards the sun, swim up to a turtle and away again, so the right correction keeps moving. A fixed red filter or one colour preset is right for one moment and off for the rest.
What the water takes first
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
Illustration, not to scale. Water absorbs red light first and blue last (NOAA), which is why a few metres down everything turns blue.
A practical workflow
- Pick the part worth keeping first Long clips have a lot of swimming. Trimming first means less to correct and a smaller file.
- Correct per scene, not per clip The colour should adapt as the scene changes.
- Avoid pulsing If the correction follows every small change, the colour flickers. It should change quickly at real scene cuts and gently in between.
- Preview before exporting Check a few points through the clip, not just the first frame.
How Seamera handles it
In Seamera you choose the part of the video you want, preview and export. For clips of 30 seconds or longer it suggests up to three sharp, steady parts you can tap to select. With "Adapt to depth" turned on, colour changes quickly where the scene cuts and gently everywhere else, so it pulses less as you change depth. The analysis runs on the device.
Shooting tips that make correction easier
- Move slowly and hold each subject for a few seconds.
- Stay close to subjects; distance costs more colour than depth.
- Use a video light for close subjects; it will not reach the background.
Keep your next dive in colour.
For iPhone and iPad with iOS 15 or later. One purchase, no subscription.
Guides
About the Seamera app Why underwater photos look blue or green, and how to fix them on iPhoneSources
Reviewed 2026-10-30, o2one