Underwater photography is fun and rewarding because it allows you to take great photos and memories of nature. Thanks to the improved water-resistance of today’s iPhones, you can enjoy this hobby without spending a lot of money on special devices. With that in mind, let’s go ahead and show you how to take underwater photos with your iPhone.
In this article, we explain which iPhone models are suitable for underwater photography (and what accessories you should buy if you don’t have one), and advise on furnishings, lenses, lighting, etc.
How to take underwater photos on iPhone
Underwater photography can be worth it, but be careful if you take your dear iPhone in a swimming pool. Here are tips for those who take photos underwater at sea or in a swimming pool with your iPhone
Do you need to put your iPhone in a Waterproof Case?
The iPhones in today’s market have excellent water and dust resistance, but that has not always been the case. The question may occur to you whether to spend your money on a waterproof case for your iPhone or not.
The iPhone 7, launched in September 2016, was the first Apple phone to be publicly rated as waterproof. It has the IP67 protection rating and promises to survive 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1 m.
Since then, all iPhones have been as waterproof as 7 or more: XS and XS Max have IP68 protection and increase the survival depth to 2 m.
If you have an older iPhone than this, you are not guaranteed water resistance, although it is unofficially believed that the iPhone 6s could withstand a quick fall.
- iPhone 6s, iPhone SE and previous versions: not classified
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: IP67
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus: IP67
- iPhone X – IP67
- iPhone XR – IP67
- iPhone XS and XS Max – IP68
Of course, we recommend iPhone owners seven years ago to buy a waterproof case for this purpose. And even an IP67 phone shouldn’t be confused with professional waterproof equipment – it’s not a good idea to bring an iPhone X for a long dive trip at different depths.
If you want to use your iPhone for longer photo sessions underwater or if you have a vintage iPhone that is not waterproof, we strongly recommend buying a waterproof case that provides additional protection and allows you to take photos. Photos underwater without having to do it all the time. You worry about the malfunction.
How to Set up for Underwater Photography
Before diving, make sure you have your iPhone set up properly so you can take pictures easily.
It’s difficult to use your phone’s touchscreen underwater. The iPhone volume key allows you to take photos underwater if you set it to it. However, make sure you know which button to press or need to access your camera app and configure the settings, including the resolution you want to capture, and the filters you want to apply and the video resolution (if you do intend to take one).
If you are underwater, do not stop taking multiple photos. You risk terrible photos, from poor focus to poor lighting. Many things can go wrong underwater: Regardless of your photography level, underwater, it is completely different ball game.
It may seem like common sense, but make sure you are fully charged before going into the water. Taking lots of photos and videos can consume a lot of battery, and the last thing you want is to run out of energy.
Apple claims you shouldn’t try to charge your iPhone when it’s wet photos, we recommend that you let it dry for a few hours before connecting it to a power source. This also applies if you want to take photos on your iPhone!
Which lenses should you choose?
For underwater work, we recommend that you look for additional lenses that can often be purchased as a simple clip for your iPhone.
They exist. They are generally not intended for underwater photography but should work well. If in doubt (and especially if you are using a waterproof case that may be more difficult to hold for a lens), contact the manufacturer and ask.
Try experimenting with different lenses, as you may find a wide-angle or a fisheye lens that can lead to a radically different result.
Lighting tips
Camera lighting is one feature you can underrate when you want to take pictures underwater. It is not easy to master and requires patience to get the right light for your shots. Since you are underwater, you have to remember that water breaks the light in different ways. Therefore, a photo may go wrong due to external lighting conditions.
We recommend taking photos in the sun as natural light shines through. If you are in an indoor pool, this should, of course, already be switched on. We recommend not taking night shots underwater as they are greeted with dark scenes and photos of very poor quality. Smartphones, including iPhones, struggle in low light conditions without a flash, making underwater photography in low light conditions almost impossible.
The flash can be used underwater. However, we recommend not doing this as this can change the focus and colors of your photos. If you need additional light, you can buy such a diving flashlight. Or search for or.
Remember that a flashlight gives you an unnatural light source that leads to strange colors, even underwater. With a flashlight that shines on your subject (e.g., an underwater plant), the color of the plant is not natural.
How to make sure you’re stable
Taking a photo when you exercise a lot can be difficult, even less when you’re underwater. Stability is very important, and you need to have a firm hand when taking a picture underwater while ensuring that your subject is not moving too quickly.
To improve stability, you can try locking your arms when taking a photo or buying a selfie stick/monopod like this. With these accessories, you can hold your hand steadily and create great panoramic images for underwater videos and panoramas.
What clothing is suitable?
The last consideration concerns clothing. It is useful to have bags for storing your iPhone and its accessories. You also need to make sure that your clothes do not interfere with your shots, so tight clothing makes sense. If you’re starting to take a serious interest in photography, consider blending with the landscape so as not to scare wildlife or if you’re afraid to see your image on a reflective surface.
You transport technology underwater, so you need to think about how to protect and store it. Around your iPhone is a good idea, just like