GoPro Dome Port for Snorkeling – How To Take Over-Under Split Shots

Have you ever looked at those fantastic split underwater images and wished you could take such photos, too? Well, it is easier than you might think! If you have a GoPro, you only need a dome port, and with a bit of practice, you will be taking half-underwater photos in no time!

A dome port is one of our favorite snorkeling photography accessories; this affordable tool makes any GoPro user feel like a professional underwater photographer, or at least this is how we felt when we got ours and started taking half-underwater split photos! Looking back, our first shots were not that good, to be honest, but they got fantastic after some trial and error. If you are also considering getting a GoPro dome, we are sure that you will find this post helpful, where you can learn what this accessory is exactly, how it works, how to choose one, and get some pro tips on taking the best-split shots.

What Is a GoPro Dome Port?

A Dome port is a dome-shaped extra optical element that takes better-quality, creatively captured half-underwater split images. It is usually made of acrylic, sometimes glass, and can be used in any body of water, including seawater, freshwater, and pools.

What Does a Dome Do for a GoPro?

A GoPro dome port creates an air bubble in front of the camera lens, moves the waterline away from it, and, thus, opens new horizons in underwater photography. Basically, it makes your photos cleaner and sharper, increases the field of view, and decreases underwater magnification. The port’s curve minimizes the effects of refraction, radial distortion, and chromatic aberration.

What Are The Benefits of Using a GoPro Dome Lens?

Using a dome port on your GoPro will significantly increase the quality of your underwater images, but the most significant benefit is that it allows taking half-submerged photos. With a GoPro dome port, you will be able to capture split shots – photos where the top half is above water, the bottom half is under water. People cannot see such compositions with the naked eye; therefore, these images are pretty unique and cool.

Tip: If you don’t have a GoPro yet but are planning to buy one, read our post on choosing the best GoPro for snorkeling!

How To Take Half Underwater Photos With a GoPro Dome?

Learning how to use your GoPro dome port is easy and doesn’t require specific technical skills. A quick training in a pool might be helpful before heading out to the sea, but you can also skip it and try it straight in action. Just install the dome according to the instructions; place the camera in the housing, close the door perfectly, and tighten the screws so it will not leak.

Also, check the depth rating! Before taking it underwater, check if the port sealing is clean and free of damage. You should put it underwater without the camera and confirm that it is not leaking.

Most GoPro dome ports indicate the middle point on the back of the port. Decide if you want to take a 50/50 over-under photo or prefer a different proportion and hold it as stable as possible.

Holding the camera with the port is difficult since the sea is never completely still. We found that a tray-like model (for example, the SHOOT dome that we have) provides a more secure and stable grip than the standard hand grip versions.

The larger the dome, the better the result. There are 4-inch and 6-inch dome models on the market. Choose a 6-inch model for the best results.

What Camera Setting Should You Use With a GoPro Dome?

Learning what camera settings to use is essential to achieving good results. The best is to shoot in burst or time-lapse mode. This increases the chance of getting the perfect split shot compared to taking single images. Alternatively, you can record videos at 120fps and grab the picture you like from them.

Use wide-angle mode and keep the person or subject of your photo close (1-2 m) for a sharp image. If you want the highest quality, take RAW photos; this allows you to edit the images deeply without sacrificing quality.

Tip: become a professional GoPro underwater photographer! check out how to use GoPro red filter, learn why you should get a waterproof selfie stick and what the best GoPro accessories for snorkeling and diving are!

How To Choose Dome Port?

Before purchasing a dome, make sure that it will fit your camera! Dome ports for Hero12, 11, 10, and 9 Black GoPros are compatible since the design and buttons are identical on these cameras, but you need a different dome port for older models such as Hero7, 6, and Hero5. Some manufacturers are still offering Hero 4 and older versions, too.

When buying a GoPro dome port, make sure the package includes all the necessary accessories like a waterproof case if needed (or comes with a built-in case), hand grip, cover, and screws so you can use it straight away without needing to buy extra items.

Most models come with a hand grip, but you can find upgraded models on the market that feature a switchable red filter kit or have a camera stabilizer tray-like design. We prefer this because you can hold it with both hands, ensuring more stability than the hand grip-style version. In the next section, we show examples for each version.

GoPro Dome Ports We Recommend

SHOOT Dome Port With Stabilizer Tray for Hero 12/11/10/9 – Our Choice

We chose the SHOOT GoPro dome lens because of its stabilizer tray-like design, and we love it a lot! The oversized handles allow you to hold your camera with two hands, and like this, it significantly increases its stability. This small trick will improve not only your split photos but also your underwater videos.

The ergonomic handheld grips guarantee a secure and comfortable hold. They also provide some buoyancy that helps keep the camera lens in the desired position. The large trigger ensures easy pressing, even when wearing gloves. The lens has a special coating, too, to prevent it from getting scratched.

This upgraded 6-inch port is compatible with Hero 9/10/11/12 models. The SHOOT Dome Port can be used up to 45 m/147ft while snorkeling, freediving, or scuba diving.

TELESIN Vicdozia GoPro Hero 12/11/10/9 Dome Port – Best Handgrip Style

If you prefer a handgrip-style dome, TELESIN is the best option. It is one of the best-selling GoPro domes on Amazon because it is made of high-quality materials yet still affordable. The easy-to-use 6-inch custom-made acrylic port ensures fantastic water clarity. The semi-hemispherical design improves water sheeting and provides an entire front-face surface area.

What I like about this product is that the rubber-covered floating hand grip can be used as a watertight compartment to dry small valuables, like keys or money. This Telesin GoPro Dome port comes with a protective cover, cleaning cloth, and anti-fog inserts in the package.

Tip: This popular dome lens is available for other GoPro versions too: Find here the Hero8 Dome and the TELESIN Hero7 Black dome that fits the Hero6/5 too!

SOONSUN GoPro Hero 12,11,10,9 Black Dome lens – All-rounder Choice With Built-in Red Filter

This is a newly designed 6-inch dome port, which comes with extra filters for professional underwater photography. The integrated dive housing provides advanced waterproof features up to 45m/147ft. Therefore, SOONSUN underwater dome can also be used while snorkeling and diving.

Using the built-in red filter, you can achieve naturally colored footage. Moreover, this product has a red filter and a 10x magnification macro filter for capturing tiny sea creatures. You can easily switch between them without dismantling the port by pressing the rotary knob or use it in standard mode without a filter when swimming in shallow water where there is enough natural light.

The package also includes practical accessories for easy installation, cleaning, and storage and even a shutter release trigger.

How To Prevent Water Drops On Your GoPro Dome

The most annoying situation that can happen when shooting half-underwater images is when you capture the perfect moment, but the above-water part contains blurry areas due to water drops that remain on the outside of the lens and cause distortion.

You might try to photoshop these spots, but let’s be honest, the result will never be as good as it can be with an initially clear and sharp image. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent water drops on the dome lens. Let’s see some easy tips that worked for us!

Spitting and Licking The Lens

This is the cheapest (free) and one of the most effective ways of preventing water drops on the lens. Spit on the lens a few minutes before getting to the water, then lick it around.

Make sure your saliva covers the whole surface. After licking, you can wipe down the lens with your finger, too. Before taking pictures, dip the camera and dome in the water so the lens becomes clean and drop-free. You can repeat the process while in the water, too.

Applying Rain Repellent

A more professional yet affordable solution is to apply car windshield rain repellent. First, clean the lens with a dry cloth to remove all dirt and sand particles, then use the rain repellent as instructed. Let it dry for a few seconds to minutes, then clean it again with the cloth. That’s it—your lens will be free of those annoying water drops!

Tip: some say that it works with dishwasher rinse aid liquid, too, which helps keep the glasses streak-free.

10 Pro Tips And Tricks To Know For The Best GoPro Dome Photos

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