The Science of Light, Color, and Scuba Diving
TheScubaDirectory ⋅ February 22, 2025
Why Colors Disappear Underwater – And How to Bring Them Back!
Ever noticed how everything looks blue-green when you’re scuba diving? Or how that bright red fish turns brown the deeper you go? That’s not your mask playing tricks on you – it’s science! Understanding how water absorbs light can help you make sense of the ocean’s shifting colors and take better underwater photos and videos.
The Science Behind the Vanishing Colors
Sunlight is made up of different colors, each with its own wavelength. As light enters the water, it gets absorbed and scattered, with some colors disappearing faster than others.
Red goes first – gone by around 5 meters (15 feet).
Orange follows at around 10 meters (30 feet).
Yellow disappears by 20 meters (60 feet).
Green and blue stick around the longest, making deep water look mostly blue.
This is why the underwater world often looks like a blue paradise – because those are the wavelengths that travel the farthest.
What This Means for Divers
For scuba divers, the loss of color can be surprising! That bright red coral you admired at the surface? At depth, it might look muddy brown. Without artificial light, everything gets a bit muted. But don’t worry – once you shine a dive torch on it, the vibrant colors come right back!
Tips for Stunning Underwater Photos & Videos
Want to capture the ocean’s true colors? Here’s how:
Use a dive light: Bringing your own light source
helps reveal the actual colors of marine life.
Try color filters: Red or magenta filters can help
balance out the missing wavelengths when shooting without artificial light.
Stay shallower: The closer you are to the surface,
the more natural light you have to work with.
Try Color Correction
on TheScubaDirectory: Restore natural colors lost underwater with 1 click.
- Works with photos or videos.
- Batch-correct multiple files at once.
- Easily upload from your device or external drive.
- Available on mobile or desktop.