Meet the 'Magician Around the World'! We are thrilled tocongratulate @环游世界的魔术师 on winning the Best Creation Award in our recent Underwater Smartphone Photo Contest! His winning piece, "Glimmering Night," is a stunning capture that freezes a magical moment in time.
We sat down with the artist to deconstruct this incredible shot—from the gear and settings to the challenges and techniques—to help you learn how to capture your own award-winning images. Phone-made winners are no fluke, either: DIVEVOLK users swept the smartphone category at OG PICOTY 2026.
- Photo: "Glimmering Night" (《暗夜流光》)
- Location: Dumaguete, Philippines
- Phone: Xiaomi 14 Pro
About the Artist: @环游世界的魔术师
Behind the lens is a PADI Scuba and AIDA Freediving Instructor. His journey wasn't always underwater. "I used to be a mariner and loved magic back then," he shares. "My travels to many countries inspired my ID: Magician Around the World." He started diving in 2017 and, by 2019, was certified as an instructor, fully embracing the "blue poison" of the ocean. His macro frame “Sand Sea Orange Star” took an Excellence Award in the same contest.
The Story Behind the Shot: Observation and Opportunity
The magical moment occurred on January 23, 2025, in the waters of Dumaguete, Philippines. The most surprising part? It happened during his 5-meter, 3-minute safety stop. Just down the coast, Dauin hosts the Dive Dauin Festival photo competition, which DIVEVOLK supported in 2026.
"I spotted this creature while it was actively hunting small shrimp," he recalls. This wasn't a simple point-and-shoot. Getting the shot required immense patience and skill.
"I observed its movement patterns, controlled my buoyancy and breathing, and approached slowly. I waited for the best angle to press the shutter." This deliberate, non-intrusive approach is key to all successful wildlife photography.
Technical Deep Dive: Lighting and Settings
To capture such a crisp, dark, and vibrant image, the artist had to perfectly balance his lighting and smartphone settings.
Lighting Strategy
He used an ASAKEE DR12 light to illuminate the squid. "I used a combination of lights," he explains. "This angle is better for highlighting the subject and minimizing shadows, making the squid 'pop' from the darkness."
Smartphone Pro Mode Settings
This is where technical skill shines. He used his phone's Manual (Pro) Mode to dial in the perfect shot:
- Shutter Speed: 1/100s
- ISO: 50
- White Balance: Auto
- Exposure (EV): -2.0. This was a critical choice. "I used a -2 stop EV to make the background purer and to highlight the subject."
- Focus: Autofocus. "For a fast-moving subject like a squid, autofocus is easier and more effective at capturing the moment."
The Gear That Makes It Possible
The artist chose the Xiaomi 14 Pro for this dive. "Compared to an iPhone, Android phones often have a much stronger macro function," he notes. "It also has a Pro Mode, which allows me to better adjust all the parameters to get the exact effect I want." Xiaomi's newer standard flagship adds a floating telephoto and Leica tuning, covered in our Xiaomi flagship underwater guide.
Of course, a phone needs protection and control. When asked which DIVEVOLK feature helped most, his answer was clear: "The underwater touchscreen function."
This full-screen touch capability allowed him the flexibility to operate his phone's Pro Mode just like on land—tapping to focus, sliding to adjust EV, and changing settings on the fly. This level of control is impossible with button-only cases. That same button-free control helped 67-year-old Filomena Sá Pinto win the 2026 CMAS Portugal mobile title with an iPhone 15.
Find the right housing for your phone in our underwater phone housing collection.
Overcoming the Challenge: Patience in the Surge
This shot was far from easy. The artist faced three major challenges at once:
- The Subject: "The squid's movement was incredibly fast, and it was very shy."
- The Situation: "I was at my safety stop, meaning my air was low and my body was naturally more buoyant."
- The Environment: "Being shallow, I also had to fight the waves and surge from the nearby shore."
So how did he overcome it? With disciplined technique.
"First, I adjusted my posture and buoyancy with my breathing. Second, when approaching a subject, you must be slow, slow, slow. Let the animal get used to you and lower its guard. Third, I constantly used my fins to adjust the distance, waiting patiently for that perfect angle to press the shutter."
A Magician's Final Thoughts and Advice
"I got my DIVEVOLK case around May of last year, and it's been with me for hundreds of dives, capturing countless dream-like moments," he says. "I actually used older photos for this contest; I didn't shoot anything new for it. These photos show my journey... The award is a wonderful affirmation of the past year and a half of effort." It is a path other phone shooters recognize, including PJ Aristorenas, who took the OGPICOTY 2025 smartphone award.
He leaves us with powerful advice for all aspiring underwater photographers:
"Don't be afraid to take 'bad' shots. Those 'garbage' files aren't garbage at all—they are the path we came from. Watching yourself get better and better provides a huge sense of accomplishment."
"Be patient, especially with macro. The creatures underwater won't act on our command. Only with patience can we capture the most exciting moments."
"Finally, I hope everyone can find their own ocean in the world of underwater photography, use their lens to record beauty and emotion, and harvest their own glory!"
More From the Artist
Here are a few more incredible shots from @环游世界的魔术师's portfolio, all captured with his smartphone and DIVEVOLK housing. More phone-shot portfolios await among the UWPA 2026 mobile photography winners in Russia, a contest DIVEVOLK sponsors.
Behind the Scenes
Here's a look at the artist in action, using his Seatouch 4 Max Kits to get the shot. Contest organizers are taking note, too: smartphone housing makers joined the partner list at the 2026 Wanshan Archipelago photo championship.
To see more of his amazing work, follow him on Xiaohongshu: @环游世界的魔术师（杜马版）
Want to start your own underwater photography journey? Check out our complete DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max kits!
