How to edit underwater photos in green water
Green water needs a different correction from tropical blue water. The goal is not to turn every scene into the Caribbean, but to reduce the cast, recover the subject and keep the water believable.
Why underwater water can look green
Particles, phytoplankton, depth, available light and white balance all affect the colour recorded by the camera. In many Mediterranean and Atlantic locations, green is genuinely part of the scene; removing it completely often looks false.
Start with white balance
Look for something that should be neutral: pale sand, grey equipment or a non-clipped white surface. The eyedropper is a more reliable starting point than imposing the same temperature on every image.
Control greens and aquas
After white balance, reduce green saturation moderately. If the water turns grey, the correction has gone too far. Aqua can be nudged slightly toward blue while keeping a natural transition between both colours.
Turtles close to the surface
At 0–5 metres there is still a useful amount of warm light. Aggressive red recovery can therefore make a turtle shell orange. In Abyssal, start with Turtle Near Surface Green Water or Green Water Natural.
Open Abyssal, choose the preset closest to your scene and adjust its intensity before changing the manual controls.
Open free editorFrequently asked questions
Should green water always be turned blue?
No. If the water was green, retaining some of that colour usually produces a more credible result.
Which preset should I use for a shallow turtle?
Turtle Near Surface Green Water is designed for 0–5 m scenes with natural light and a green cast.
Should I increase saturation a lot?
Usually not. Correct white balance, contrast and selective colour first; global saturation should be one of the last adjustments.