The cameras used today deliver incredible photos, but basic editing can almost always improve them. Editing doesn’t have to be complex or daunting. Apps with different levels of commitment and workflows are available and suitable for all photographers.

There are two main reasons to edit your photos. First, most underwater photos could benefit from white balance (color temperature) adjustment to ensure the colors represent your vision for the scene. Color is lost at depth, and even if you shoot a manual white balance or use a red filter, there is often a need to make additional adjustments when editing. If you use a video light or strobe, the Kelvin temperature of the light source paired with the camera’s auto white balance measurement will require you to make small adjustments for maximum color pop.

Second, you should edit your photos if you’re shooting RAW image files. This format is recommended for all serious photographers since it records more data in the scene, allowing you additional control of the result, but heavy editing is required to bring these raw images to life.

Related Reading: Intro to Underwater Photo Composition

Popular Software

Editing your photos does not need to be complex or require software subscriptions. You can edit photos from your phone or tablet’s native editing software. If you’re shooting JPG files, focus on slight adjustments to warmth and tint, maybe some contrast. Compared to RAW, JPG files can’t handle as much editing before the quality deteriorates, so consider this when making changes.

If you’re looking for editing simplicity and don’t mind a small subscription fee, then Dive+ might be the software for you. Dive+ automatically applies color correction based on the underwater scene in your photos and videos. You can then adjust this automatic color correction. Dive+ is free, however to export your images without their watermark or edit numerous photos per day during your trip you will need the subscription.

AquaColorFix is a similar app with software specifically designed for underwater photo and video color correction.

Adobe Lightroom is the standard for serious photographers. There are two versions of Lightroom software: one designed for laptop or desktop and a streamlined version meant for editing on phones and tablets. Lightroom serves as a catalog for your photo library and uses non-destructive editing, which adds many benefits. It’s a little more expensive than other subscriptions, and if you use it the way it’s intended, requires you to commit to using Lightroom for photo library management for the indefinite future.

The Game Is Changing

New cameras are packing powerful processors and AI tools that offer advanced underwater color correction as the photo or video is being recorded. The impressive results will continue to get exponentially better in the coming years… likely eliminating the need for editing if you’re a casual shooter. Be sure to check these out if you’re buying a new camera.

Related Reading: Ask a Pro Photographer: How Do You Edit Underwater Photos?