Get to Know the Master behind the "Master Your GoPro" Underwater Video Workshop

With over three decades of experience diving and filming in waters across all six continents, Carlos has developed innovative techniques specifically for GoPro underwater videography. His workshops have helped hundreds of divers transform their underwater filming skills, from basic techniques to professional-level results. Learn more about Carlos and upcoming workshop in our exclusive interview with him.

Tell us a little bit about your career and your journey into diving and underwater videography.

"Well, I started scuba diving in the early 90s. As a student, I wanted to capture everything I was seeing, so I was making my own housings out of PVC pipe and gluing some glasses and using magnets to control the camera. When I started scuba diving, I wanted to work in this world. After finishing university as computer scientist, I completed my training as a diving instructor and moved to the Cayman Islands by 95."

From there, I transitioned to underwater photography and videography. For years I worked in the dive tourism industry, filming tourists and selling the tapes. I gained experience working on liveaboards in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

"This gave me the privilege of traveling around the world and diving in all six continents, from the most remote islands in the Macronesia to all the Caribbean and even Antarctica."

Tell us about the history of the workshop and how it's evolved over time.

“I was working with digital cameras after transitioning from film to digital. When GoPros advanced and improved, I saw them as "the ideal tool for the travel diver."

The quality improved, but we needed features like wide angle and macro lenses for underwater use. Once manufacturers made these available, I could create "a cool underwater system, very small and compact to travel with."

Despite having the right gear, many people weren't getting good results because they lacked crucial camera control skills underwater. With over 20 years of teaching experience, I had developed a proven method.

GoPro's introduction of full manual control and QR codes was transformative - "I could share my settings with students underwater and set the camera in one second - whether for wide angle, macro, backlight scenes, or adjusting when the scene seems too blue."

What should students expect to learn from this workshop?

“We will start with basic videography concepts so everybody has a foundation. Even people who don't know anything about videography will learn everything about ISO, shutter speed, frames per second, white balance - all those things. From there, we will explore all the gear from housings, aluminum housings, macro lenses for tiny stuff, viewfinders, and wide angle lenses.

We will learn all the details about the gear and settings. For people who just want to keep it simple and enjoy diving, the GoPro is capable of getting 80% of scenes perfectly with basic settings. But for those who want 100% success and control in every situation, they will learn how to adjust the camera. And if they want to get more creative with lighting, backlighting or snoots for macro, they will learn that as well.”

GoPros are really small cameras and they're so inexpensive. Don't professionals use setups that cost thousands of dollars? Will I really be able to get good results?

Despite its small size and relatively low price, the GoPro's image quality is exceptionally good. Many Hollywood movies use GoPros for specific scenes, such as Fast and Furious, The Martian with Matt Damon, even Twisters. When you watch these movies in theaters, you don't notice any drop in quality. Recently, I made a documentary about the Red Sea that won first prize in the underwater film festival in Belgrade - filmed entirely with GoPro. It included wide angle, shipwrecks, coral reefs, coral polyps, shots in dark caves and caverns, everything. And it was competing against videos filmed with equipment that cost 10 to 20 times more.

The key factors to get the most from the GoPro are accessories and settings. Just the GoPro by itself can do a good job, but you need accessories like lenses, filters, and lights. Most importantly, knowing how to set the camera for each situation brings out all the quality. That's what we learn in the workshop.

Why are you hosting the workshop in East End?

“East End has the best preserved reefs. It's away from the crowds, and the setup at Ocean Frontiers is perfect. We'll be by ourselves on nice coral reefs with more marine life and special dives like sharks and maybe the chance of going to Little Cayman.

The program Ocean Frontiers has prepared is the best of the best. They are arranging the best dives at the best times of day. We will have a pool to practice, a classroom, and accommodation right next to the dive boat. It can't be any better than that.”

This video workshop marks both a first in Ocean Frontiers history as the first Video Workshop we've hosted, and it also represents a unique opportunity to learn from one of the world's leaders in underwater videography technique with action cameras. Whether you're a beginner or advanced shooter, you won't want to miss out on a chance to be a part of this next class of students of the "Master Your GoPro" workshop.

The workshop offers two sessions:

• April 5-12, 2025
• April 12-19, 2025

The comprehensive program includes 15 dives, 2 snorkel sites, 4 classroom sessions, and a pool session for hands-on practice. "I believe in a hands-on approach," Carlos emphasizes. "Theory is important, but nothing beats actual experience underwater." Participants will learn everything from basic concepts to advanced techniques, including:

• Understanding light and color behavior underwater
• Mastering accessories and equipment
• Controlling camera settings for optimal results
• Advanced lighting and editing techniques

Ready to Dive In?

Packages start from $2,570 per person for quad occupancy and include accommodation at the award-winning Compass Point Dive Resort, all dives, workshops, breakfast, welcome cruise, and more.

To sign up and secure your spot in the workshop, reach out to:

reservations@oceanfrontiers.com

USA Toll-Free: 1-800-348-6096
Cayman Direct: 1-345-640-0000