These corrections will work with any digital image format but the best results can only be realized by users whose cameras offer RAW image capture.

Some cameras have an 'Underwater' scene mode that adds orange to the image to offset blue light.  This is akin to placing an orange filter on a film or video camera minus exposure adjustment caused by the filter itself.  Despite this option the best practice is to set the camera's white balance to 'Daylight' or 'Auto WB' if it produces satisfactory results.

Of course you could take photos at depth using available light employing a 'Custom' white balance (see your camera manual) but my experience with this method is that it is best reserved for wide angle/available light scenes.  Custom white balance must also be reset with major depth changes or alternating sun/clouds.  Closeup work requires the additional depth of field & sharpness possible with flash.  Custom white balance should not be used underwater along with flash.

Available light using Custom white balance

Note unsharpness due to subject movement & lack of flash

Auto white balance plus flash

Improved sharpness provided by flash

UNDERSTANDING COLOR

Computer monitors produce millions of colors by mixing varying levels of red, green, and blue light.  These three are complemented by opposite colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow.    

The most common color issue is caused by cyan/blue ambient light from filtered sunlight.  Adding red and/or yellow (orange) can help things look more true-to-life.  I suggest making several incremental changes rather than a big one.  The best way to recognize how much incremental adjustment is 'enough' is to keep the image highlights from assuming the colors you are 'adding'; i.e. keep the whites white.  By making several small adjustments you should be able to obtain a more pleasing and natural-looking product while adding more orange overall.

DESATURATION

Sometimes color correction alone can appear artificial, especially when the image is richly colored or oversaturated.  The intensity of color can often be reduced to restore a more natural look.  Signs of oversaturation are most noticeable in the image's highlights and shadows.  If your software has the option of adjusting saturation by individual color you can simply desaturate that channel.  Another method is to use the Levels or Histogram tool to adjust the unwanted color's highlights and shadows. 

Uncorrected

and

reduced saturation

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