Kako do tistih split-split podvodnih fotografij? Enostavno s Splitgadgetom

V zadnjih mesecih, po objavi prvih fotografij iz arhipelaga Banyak, sem prejel kar nekaj vprašanj na temo, kako priti do tistih morskih fotografij, kjer poleg neba zajameš še dobršen del podvodnega sveta. Če je bilo to pred leti še v domeni pregrešno dragih podvodnih ohišij, katerih cene so se z vsemi dodatki krepko dvignile nad nekaj 1000 EUR, pa je s prihodom kamere GoPro in posledično vseh “gopro gadgetov” oziroma različnih nastavkov postala tovrstna fotografija dostopna tudi navadnim smrtnikom.

“GoPro Dome”, akrilna kupola, je bila na začetku mišljena kot pripomoček za fotografiranje surfarjev in ostalih adrenalinskih vodnih odvisnežev. Prve fotografije, ki so krožile na internetu, so bile naravnost fantastične, drugačne, nekaj posebnega in marsikdo, skromno tudi jaz, si je nov gadget zaželel tudi doma. Kasneje se je pokazalo, da je GoPro Dome izvrsten pripomoček tudi za domačo fotografijo, fotografiranje družinskega dogajanja na poletnih počitnicah na morju, rekah, jezerih, domačih bazenih… Gre za “gadget”, s katerim se lahko ujame še tako neumne in divje vodne prigode.

Če je bilo pred leti kvaliteten GoPro Dome še dokaj težko dobiti, saj so jih večinoma proizvajali na drugi strani luže, njihove končne cene pa so bile zaradi carin in poštnin nesramno visoke, pa najdemo sedaj dober in kvaliteten produkt tudi na stari celini.

SPLIT gadget je že na prvi pogled in otip neka druga dimenzija v primerjavi z nekaterimi cenejšimi, a precej manj kvalitetno izdelanimi azijskimi GoPro Dome-i. V paketu dobite poleg GoPro Dome-a, na katero je že pričvrščeno podvodno ohišje GoPro, tudi držalo in nadvse uporabno neoprensko zaščito, ki jo po uporabi namestite na samo akrilno kupolo in jo s tem zaščitite pred morebitnim peskom, kamenčki ali ostalimi zunanjimi dejavniki, ki bi vam lahko naredili praske na kupoli. Kupola je možna v dveh oblikah glede na model GoPro kamere, ki jo imate doma. Spodnja je namenjena naši domači igrači, GOPRO 4 Silver Edition.

In kakšni so moji nasveti glede uporabe GoPro Dome-a:

– pred in po uporabi hranite Dome v senci, lahko ga pokrijete tudi s brisačo. Če ga boste pustili na soncu, bo prišlo pri uporabi do problema kondenza, ki je še večji v primeru hladnejše vode. Zelo uporabne so tudi vrečke proti kondenzu, ki se vstavijo v GoPro ohišje.

– najboljše fotografije bodo nastale v sončnih dneh v čim manj kalni vodi.

– na začetku bo treba nekaj vaje, predvsem da občutiš, kako globoko je potrebno Dome potopiti ter v kateri smeri glede na položaj sonca so fotografije najboljše. V nekaterih svetlobnih pogojih lahko pride do problemov z odsevi. Z le rahlim odmikom levo ali desno ponavadi odsevi izginejo.

– Pri fotografiranju hitrejših aktivnosti predlagam uporabo GoPro kamere v nastavitvi “timelapse” 0,5 sekunde ali 1 sekunda.

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In recent months, after I published first photos from the Banyak archipelago, I received quite a few questions on how to make those split photos, where you catch some sky and underwater world at the same time. Few years ago this was still in domain of expensive underwater housings, where prices with all accessories increased considerably over couple of 1000 euros. But with the arrival of GoPro camera and all “GoPro gadgets”, this kind of photography became accessible also to non professional photographers.

“GoPro Dome”, was initially used for shooting surfers and other water adrenaline junkies. First photos that were published on the Internet, were amazing, so different, something special, and many, also me, wanted this gadget also in his bag. Later it proved that GoPro Dome is excellent tool also for non profesionall photography, photographing family activities during summer vacations on the sea, rivers, lakes, pools… It is a “gadget”, that helps you capture even the most silly and wild aquatic adventures.

At the beginning it was quite difficult to get a quality GoPro Dome. They were mainly produced on the other side of the ocean and their final prices were due to customs and postal service just too high. But now you can buy good product also in our neigbourhood.

When you take SPLIT gadget in your hand you immediatelly see that that’s a totally different product from those that you can buy from Asia. It’s a totatlly differend dimension. In a package you get GoPro Dome, underwater hosuing for your GoPro camera, holding stick and very usefull neoprene protection against any sctraches on your Dome. Dome is available in two forms, depending on the model GoPro cameras that you have at home. The following is intended for the model GOPRO 4 Silver Edition.

And what are my tips regarding the use of GoPro Dome:

– Before and after the use, store your Dome in the shade or cover it with a towel. If you let it on the sun, you will have problems with condensation – even more if the water is really cold. There are also special anti condensation bags on the market, which are inserted into the GoPro housing.

– The best photos will be generated on a sunny day in as little muddy water as possible.

– At the beginning you will need to practice a bit, to get the feeling how deeply it is necessary to plunge Dome in the water and in which direction relative to the position of the sun you make the best photos. In certain lighting conditions you can have some problems with reflections. With only a slight deviation to the left or right, usually reflections disappear.

– When taking faster actions I suggest using GoPro camera in “timelapse” setting 0.5 seconds or 1 second” setup.