Inside DIVEVOLK's Maldives Underwater Videography Masterclass '25

Imagine gliding through the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives, watching a majestic whale shark cruise by or marveling at the intricate dance of life on a vibrant coral reef. Now, imagine capturing those moments not just as snapshots, but as stunning, professional-quality video – all with the smartphone already in your pocket. Sounds too good to be true?

For a group of passionate divers and aspiring underwater videographers, this became a reality during the incredible DIVEVOLK Underwater Video Workshop held this past April 6th to 16th, 2025. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Dhangethi Island in the South Ari Atoll, Maldives, this intensive masterclass aimed to elevate underwater storytelling using the power and convenience of smartphones.

This unique learning experience was made possible through a fantastic collaboration. We were honored to partner with the renowned Swiss underwater photographer and videographer, Matthias Lebo, who served as the workshop's expert instructor, sharing invaluable techniques and insights. Equally crucial was our partnership with the fantastic team at Scuba Divine Dive Center, our premier host partner, who provided exceptional logistical support and guided access to some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives.

The DIVEVOLK Difference: Gearing Up for Cinematic Shots

How do you turn a smartphone into a pro-level underwater camera? It starts with the right gear – tools designed not just to protect your phone, but to unleash its full creative potential. Workshop participants had full hands-on access to the DIVEVOLK ecosystem:

• The Heart of the System: SeaTouch 4 Max Housing Forget clunky buttons and limited controls! The star of the setup was the SeaTouch 4 Max, the world's first full touchscreen underwater smartphone housing. Imagine accessing all your phone's camera apps and controls underwater, just like you do on land, down to 60 meters (200 feet)! Participants could effortlessly tap to focus, swipe to adjust manual settings (ISO, shutter speed, white balance), pinch to zoom, and switch modes instantly. This intuitive, unrestricted control is a game-changer for underwater creativity. With broad compatibility for the latest iPhones and leading Android flagships (thanks to customizable 3D-printed supports) and robust construction, it’s the ultimate underwater command center for your phone. (Ready to unlock your phone's potential? Explore the SeaTouch 4 Max Phone Dive Housing)
  
• Expanding Your Vision: Essential Optics (Ocean Kit) The Maldives offers grand underwater vistas and encounters with large marine life. To capture it all, our Ocean Kit, combining a 120° Wide-Angle Lens and Color Correction Filters, was indispensable. The wide-angle lens allowed for sweeping cinematic shots with minimal distortion, fitting everything from vast reefs to whale sharks into the frame. Equally important was tackling the underwater color shift. See the difference for yourself:
  
  (Caption: Before (top) and After (bottom) using the DIVEVOLK Red Filter – look how the natural colors pop!)

  The included Red Filter brilliantly restored the lost warm tones in the clear blue Maldivian waters. Suddenly, the corals and fish looked as vibrant on screen as they did in person! (We also have a Magenta Filter for greener water conditions).

  (Ready for true colors and wide views? Discover DIVEVOLK Lenses & Filters)

• Mastering Light: The Power of the SL120 Light behaves differently underwater, and often, natural light isn't enough. Whether illuminating the details on a whale shark's skin or bringing out the colors of tiny macro critters, artificial light is key. Participants wielded the mighty SL120 underwater video light. This professional dive light packs a serious punch with up to 12,000 lumens, ensuring bright exposure even in challenging conditions. More importantly, its 9 adjustable brightness levels (with a handy remote!) offered precise creative control. The long battery life kept creators shooting dive after dive, while the wide 120° beam provided smooth, even illumination essential for video. It’s a reliable, versatile powerhouse rated to 100 meters (330 feet).

   (Need powerful underwater lighting? Learn about the SL120 Video Light)

• Smooth Moves: Stability with Buoyancy Arms Jerky footage is the enemy of professional video. Achieving smooth, cinematic camera movements underwater requires a neutrally buoyant and stable rig. DIVEVOLK's Buoyancy Arms were essential for this. By providing adjustable lift (available in 447g & 872g options), they perfectly balanced the weight of the housing and lights, making the entire setup feel weightless and effortless to maneuver. This reduced fatigue and allowed participants to focus on capturing those perfectly smooth tracking shots and pans. (Want smoother shots? Check out DIVEVOLK Buoyancy Arms)

   

This integrated system proved that capturing breathtaking, professional-quality underwater video with your smartphone is not just possible, it's accessible.

Creativity in Action: The Workshop Challenge

The workshop wasn't just about lectures and gear; it was about putting knowledge into practice in one of the world's most incredible underwater classrooms! The energy was fantastic, with participants sharing tips, collaborating, and pushing their creative limits.

To add a little extra excitement, we held a friendly videography challenge. Participants were tasked with creating a short film showcasing the beauty of the Maldives and incorporating the advanced shooting, lighting, and storytelling techniques they learned throughout the week. The results were simply stunning!

The challenge truly highlighted how modern smartphone camera capabilities, when unlocked underwater by a DIVEVOLK housing, rival even dedicated cameras. Using the versatile SeaTouch 4 Max and accessories, participants crafted compelling narratives and captured jaw-dropping footage.

It was tough choosing a winner, but we're thrilled to congratulate Anton Plaksin for taking first place! Anton's film brilliantly combined technical skill with artistic vision, telling a captivating underwater story. As the champion, he received an awesome prize package packed with DIVEVOLK gear, including a SeaTouch 4 Max housing, filters, and lighting accessories – everything needed for his next filming adventure!

Here's a glimpse of the action during the workshop and the prize awarded: 

Want to see the creativity unleashed? Check out highlights from the competition entries, including Anton Plaksin's winning video right here! 

The sheer quality of the submissions was a powerful testament to how DIVEVOLK's intuitive yet professional system empowers divers to rapidly learn, improve, and produce high-quality underwater video.

More Than Just Footage: Making Waves for Conservation

The Maldives is a paradise, but like many marine environments, it's fragile. Capturing stunning underwater footage comes with an opportunity – and perhaps a responsibility – to share the beauty and importance of these ecosystems. We are proud that the incredible footage captured by participants using DIVEVOLK gear during the workshop will be used to support vital marine conservation efforts. These powerful visuals will help raise awareness for the protection of the Maldives' iconic species, including the majestic sharks and rays that grace its waters.

Our Deep Blue Inspiration

Why do we do what we do? Years ago, an encounter with the vibrant underwater world sparked a quest: find the easiest way to record and share its beauty. Recognizing that everyone carries a powerful smartphone, yet its potential was locked away underwater, DIVEVOLK was born. We embarked on creating something entirely new – an underwater touchscreen housing – enabling people to effortlessly showcase the stunning underwater realm using the device already in their pocket.

This pioneering technology unlocked the smartphone's power for not just professional-quality underwater photography and videography, but also entertainment, communication, and even scientific research, opening up infinite possibilities below the surface. Building on this foundation, DIVEVOLK developed the SeaLink underwater communication system, aiming to bring internet access to depth and make underwater live streaming and reliable connectivity a potential reality. We are fundamentally reshaping the dive experience, driven by our profound love for the ocean and an unceasing spirit of exploration and innovation. We believe that enabling exploration fosters a desire for preservation.

Join the DIVEVOLK Community!

Were you inspired by the Maldives workshop? Are you ready to take your own underwater videography to the next level? Explore our gear, learn new techniques on our blog and YouTube channel, and share your adventures with us!

Stay tuned for more inspiring underwater content, updates on future events, and news about innovative underwater photo gear! Follow DIVEVOLK across our platforms:

• Website: https://www.divevolkdiving.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divevolk/
• YouTube:

   https://www.youtube.com/@divevolkdivingassistant2056

Get in Touch:

Have questions about our gear or need support? Want to collaborate? We'd love to hear from you!

• For Collaboration Inquiries: collaboration@divevolk.com
• For General Information & Product Support: collaboration@divevolk.com

Happy Diving, Happy Filming!