At Clockwise, we believe unforgettable culture and travel content is built on innovation, from drone vistas at dawn to the rich, immersive world beneath the waves. Whether you’re capturing exotic destinations, lifestyle narratives, or action‑packed experiences, underwater filming adds a layer of cinematic magic that drives audience engagement and FOMO. With technical precision and creative intuition, our team brings both lifestyle storytelling and deep‑sea visuals together to produce standout productions that resonate globally. From mastering light and colour to choosing the right gear and composition, here are five essential tips to level up your underwater video content, whether you’re shooting for social, branded films, or editorial features. 1. Master Your Gear — Cameras, Housings & Stabilisation Successful underwater filming starts with the right equipment. Invest in a reliable underwater‑rated camera and housing that match your production goals and shooting depths. Action cams like GoPros are great for dynamic, on‑the‑move shots, while mirrorless systems in robust housings unlock richer detail and control. Don’t underestimate the importance of stability! Camera cages, trays, and handles help you keep footage smooth even when currents try to push you around. 2. Understand Light, Colour & White Balance Water absorbs light rapidly, leaving footage looking blue and flat the deeper you go. To avoid dull video, shoot in bright conditions when possible (sun overhead is ideal), and manually set white balance to retain accurate colours. A white slate or reflective surface helps your camera calibrate before filming. 3. Get Close, Stay Low & Shoot with Variety The golden rule for compelling underwater visuals: get closer and then get closer again. Water reduces contrast and clarity quickly, so proximity enhances detail and makes colours pop. Shoot from low angles to add depth and drama, and vary your compositions – wide environmental shots, medium storytelling frames, and intimate close‑ups give your edit flexibility. 4. Move Smoothly, Hold Steady Movement underwater benefits from calm, controlled motion, whether you’re gliding through coral reefs or tracking a sea turtle. Keep breathing steady, hone buoyancy, and use your fins to create fluid transitions rather than jerky pans. For static subjects, brace your camera close to your body or use a tripod mount so clips are buttery smooth. 5. Shoot Plenty & Think Ahead for Editing Underwater environments are unpredictable, tides change, creatures don’t wait, and light shifts. Shoot more footage than you think you’ll need. This gives editors room to craft compelling stories and helps ensure you capture that one moment of magic that transforms a sequence from good to unforgettable. When we bring the underwater element into our campaigns, it’s important to work with the right crew. Here’s some more insight from our underwater specialist collaborator, Robin Kother. What’s the biggest challenge you face when shooting underwater for travel or lifestyle content? The main challenge is balancing the environment with your kit. For freediving, that means getting weight and buoyancy right; in the UK, it’s choosing a wetsuit that keeps you warm during long hours in the water. Filming wildlife requires staying still and quiet, which makes you colder faster. Add waves, currents and changing light, and each shoot needs careful assessment — balancing safety, creativity and, most importantly, keeping it fun. How do you balance technical settings (like white balance and focus) with creative instincts on a shoot? This becomes instinctive over time. In the UK’s constantly changing light, especially when surface filming, you’re juggling framing, focus and exposure as conditions shift. I set my white balance manually as soon as I’m in the water, then adjust aperture as needed. Having everything dialled in from the start means the rest is just fine-tuning. Which pieces of gear do you never leave without, and why? Aside from the housing, my most important gear is the Sony A7S III with Sony GM glass. For fast-paced shoots, I rely on its quick autofocus, high frame rates and reliable subject tracking above and below water. Good fins are also essential — carbon dive fins for open water and bodyboard fins for shallower spots — while keeping everything lightweight and simple. Can you share a moment when an underwater shot transformed the story or mood of a project? On a trip to the Med with Jet2 and Defected Records, DJ Sam Divine was initially nervous about getting in the water, despite the idyllic setting. We had strong lifestyle and drone shots, but the in-water element was missing. Once she eased in, starting with surface filming, her confidence grew quickly. In just 10 minutes, we captured underwater nature, portrait and lifestyle, creating a truly immersive sense of place. I’ve never regretted a water shoot — it always adds depth, texture and immersion, and the footage speaks for itself. What safety and environmental best practices do you always follow when filming underwater? Always assess conditions before getting in — tides, currents and boat traffic can be risks, even in calm settings. Work as a team, but take personal responsibility. Blend in, slow down and don’t force shots; nature is curious and will come to you. If a shot isn’t safe, it’s not worth it. The best moments happen naturally when light and timing align. Do it for the love, leave no trace, and the rewards will follow. Contact us to find out more about underwater filming, and other ways we can elevate your campaigns.