How to Make Your Camera Waterproof

If you're a water lover—or just an outdoors lover in general, you know that some of your best memories of your most exciting adventures have been wet ones. Kayaking, canoeing, fishing, surfing, stand-up paddling, snorkeling, diving, heck—even going for a hike through a cool, summer shower—have all made outings you'll never forget.

But you don't need to buy some cheezy disposable camera or super expensive equipment to take great water shots. Here are some waterproof options, the best equipment to make your film, digital or iPhone camera watertight and tips for documenting your liquid adventures.

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Digital and Film Camera Waterhousings

You can purchase a casing for most cameras on the market—and you don't have to go with an ultra-expensive, professional option, either. For example, Canon PowerShot Waterproof cases will protect whichever PowerShot digital camera from seawater and sand. These types of housings run at about $150, fit like a glove, and your camera retains all its functionalities.

Make sure your case is on right, secure and you've performed all the maintenance you need to. You don't want to submerge your goods in water only to find out your really expensive equipment ruined because you haven't used your casing correctly.

Liquid Image Water Sports Goggles

Unless you're snowboarding/skiing or diving underwater, you may feel a little silly wearing goggles while paddling a kayak, stand-up paddle board or doing other water-based activities—but how convenient is this? They're totally hands-free (aside from the settings and buttons) and?you can take the Scuba Series, VideoMask Series, Freestyle Series and Explorer Series underwater—they act as swim masks.

InnoPocket Amphibian iPhone Case

This case for your iPhone—whichever model you have—is form-fitting with a molded polycarbonate inner shell that's rigid and crush-proof. Whatever outdoor sport you're into—this is a perfect way to document your adventures, no matter what the weather, conditions and activity. Take underwater photos and videos with this, too.

LifeProof

Although this case was originally designed to evade the perils that our devices sometimes undergo—a fall into the toilet, sink, bathtub, swimming pool or any other shenanigans we may get into, electronics in pocket, you can also capture all your muddy, snowy, icy and wet adventures with this case. So go ahead and make that snowboarding playlist, video your next kayaking trip and make sure everyone knows just how big that fish was.

DriSuit

This endurance protective case for the iPhone 4 and 4S allows for all of your iPhone functons underwater and in any type of weather for protection through life's "thrills and spills." And on top of retaining camera functionality, DriSuit's headphone jack design allows for easy underwater listening.
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Tips for Documenting Your Water-Based Adventures

3. Use your iPhone volume buttons to shoot your photo. It will create a steadier image rather than fiddling with the touch screen.

4. Invest in a tripod. And find an app for your smart phone with a timer on it so you're not just holding your phone. "That shot—the self-portrait where you can see your arm—no one likes that shot," says Hilton.

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5. If you're shooting people, get close, says Hilton. "Unless it's a landscape, you're not going to get a very good portrait from far away."

6. Find a panoramic app for your smartphone. Then, take a bunch of photos and your app will stitch them together.

7. Shoot with the sun behind your back, as a general rule. Yes, you can get artsy or experimental with silouhetting and the sun behind your subject, but for all-around quality photos with a subject and background, make sure they're well lit.

8. Mornings and early evenings are the best time to take outdoors photos. Lighting is most dramatic.

9. Use the 2/3 rule. Not centering your subjects makes for a more interesting composition, Hilton suggests. "Of course, rules are meant to be broken."

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