At DIVEVOLK, we believe that the best camera is the one you have with you—and for many modern divers, that camera is in their pocket. We are thrilled to announce that the image "Pikachu Sprite," captured by the talented underwater photographer Zhuoliang (潜玩家倬樑), has won the Excellent Work Award in our recent Mobile Underwater Photography Contest.
This stunning macro shot of a Thecacera pacifica (commonly known as the Pikachu Nudibranch) proves that with the right technique, lighting, and housing, smartphone photography can rival traditional mirrorless setups. We sat down with Zhuoliang to break down exactly how he captured this ethereal moment in Anilao.
Meet the Photographer: Zhuoliang
Zhuoliang is no stranger to the underwater world. With over a decade of diving experience, he has traveled the globe capturing the ocean's beauty. While he has extensive experience using high-end mirrorless camera rigs, he has recently shifted his focus to mobile photography.
"In the last two years, smartphone camera capabilities have become incredibly powerful," Zhuoliang explains. "Now, I frequently dive with just my phone to shoot macro, enjoying the freedom and technology it offers."
The Scene: Anilao's Macro Magic
The shot was taken on October 1st in Anilao, Philippines—a destination world-renowned as the "Nudibranch Capital of the World."
The Encounter: On the fifth day of the trip, during the second dive of the day, Zhuoliang spotted this distinct nudibranch crawling along the coral, actively foraging for food. The Thecacera pacifica is famous for its vibrant orange and black tips against a translucent white body, resembling the famous anime character.
The Technical Breakdown: How the Shot Was Made
Capturing a subject this small with a smartphone requires precision. Here is the step-by-step breakdown of Zhuoliang’s creative process.
1. The "Squeegee" Composition
The most common mistake in underwater macro photography is shooting from the top down. Zhuoliang utilized the "Eye-Level" rule.
"I tried to control the angle of the phone lens to be even lower than the creature itself, shooting directly at the nudibranch's face."
By getting low, he separated the subject from the cluttered reef, allowing the nudibranch to stand out against the background.
2. Creative Lighting: The Snoot Technique
Lighting was the critical factor in making this image "pop."
- Main Light: A Divevolk SL20 Video Light equipped with a Snoot (a light shaping tool that narrows the beam).
- Positioning: The snoot was positioned slightly behind and above the nudibranch, toward the rear-side top. This side–back, top-down angle enhanced the creature's translucence and created a gentle glow through its body.
- Background Light: A secondary blue background light was used to add depth and separation, subtly complementing the warm orange tips of the subject.
3. Smartphone Settings
Zhuoliang used the Huawei Pura70 Ultra inside the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum Edition housing. Interestingly, he didn't need full manual mode to get this result; he leveraged the phone's intelligent processing with specific tweaks.
- Shooting Mode: Automatic (Professional adjustments via EV)
- Shutter Speed: 1/120s (Fast enough to freeze the movement of the feeding nudibranch)
- ISO: 80 (Kept low to minimize digital noise and maximize clarity)
- White Balance: Auto
- Exposure Compensation (EV): -0.6
Pro Tip: "Because the nudibranch is white and translucent, it is very easy to overexpose," Zhuoliang notes. "I dialed the exposure compensation down by -0.6 stops to protect the highlights and retain detail in the texture."
The Gear Advantage
When asked what feature of the SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum Edition housing helped him the most, Zhuoliang pointed to the full touchscreen capability.
"The touchscreen function is incredibly powerful. Being able to tap specifically on the nudibranch's head and eyes for focus is essential for macro," he says. "Additionally, the Bluetooth shutter handle made the shooting process smooth and ergonomic."
Overcoming Challenges
Macro photography is a game of patience. The biggest challenge was the size of the subject combined with the need for critical focus. "Underwater macro creatures are tiny. Focusing is difficult," Zhuoliang admits. "You have to control your breathing carefully. Slowing and briefly holding your breath helps stabilize your body and makes it easier to lock focus accurately."
Advice for Aspiring Mobile Photographers
Zhuoliang’s advice to other divers wanting to achieve similar results is grounded in practice:
- Master Your Settings: Don't just rely on default auto. Understand how to adjust exposure (EV) and focus lock.
- Study Composition: Learn how to frame a subject. Getting low and filling the frame makes a huge difference.
- Community: Communicate with other experienced underwater photographers. Sharing techniques is the fastest way to improve.
Gallery: Zhuoliang’s Mobile Portfolio
Here are a few more examples of Zhuoliang’s versatility using the smartphone setup.
Inspired by Zhuoliang’s work? Check out our range of smartphone housings and start capturing your own masterpieces today.
