For as long as I can remember, the ocean's colors, textures and rhythms have pulled at my curiosity and my creative instincts. I've been scuba diving since 2004 and capturing underwater imagery since 2009—long enough to witness how much our tools and workflows have evolved.
Underwater storytelling has never been just about pointing a lens at a turtle or following a school of fish. It's about understanding light loss, movement, behavior, and how to translate what we feel underwater into something people topside can connect with. Across thousands of dives—from the Philippines to Palau, the Red Sea, and the icy lakes of Switzerland—every scene has taught me something new.
When I first encountered Divevolk, I didn't just see another underwater smartphone housing. I saw potential—an opportunity to make underwater content creation easier, more intuitive, and more accessible for divers everywhere. What started as a test has since grown into a collaboration I'm genuinely proud of.
Matthias with professional underwater camera rig in the Red Sea
Where It All Began: My First Divevolk Test
The Seatouch 3 Pro underwater smartphone housing
My relationship with Divevolk began back in 2021 when I posted my first review and in-water test of the SeaTouch 3 housing on my YouTube channel (youtube.com/matthiaslebo). At the time, I was evaluating how the touchscreen operated underwater, how the housing handled during real dives, and whether a smartphone system could realistically handle the demands of proper underwater filmmaking.
I've used countless underwater camera systems over the years—DSLR, mirrorless, cinema systems, compact rigs, housings made from aluminum, steel or polycarbonate and with mechanical or electrical control systems. Many work well. But hardly any solve the challenge of simple, intuitive underwater usability. The SeaTouch 3 surprised me. The full touchscreen control wasn't a gimmick; it actually worked underwater. The interface was accessible. The learning curve was minimal.
That first test wasn't the end of the story—it was the first chapter.
Iterative Innovation: From SeaTouch 3 to the 4 Max and Platinum
As Divevolk progressed, I evaluated each new model with growing excitement. The Seatouch 4 Max represented a major leap—refined ergonomics, more robust construction, better compatibility, and the same impressive underwater touchscreen experience that sets Divevolk apart from the competition.
Key advancements I immediately noticed included:
- Full control of every smartphone function underwater
- Fast, natural responsiveness through the touchscreen
- Great handling with or without thick gloves
- Compatibility with a wide range of accessories
- Compact travel-friendly form factor
Then came the Seatouch 4 Max Platinum, a premium iteration based on user feedback and real-world testing. With upgraded materials, improved sealing and increased phone compatibility, Platinum felt like the "pro" version of a system already punching above its weight.
Watching Divevolk evolve these products wasn't just interesting—it was energizing. This was a brand listening carefully to divers, creators, and everyday users alike.
Formalizing the Relationship: "Mastering Your Seatouch 4 Max"
The "Mastering your Seatouch 4 Max" online course
As my involvement deepened, creating the official Divevolk online course—"Mastering Your Seatouch 4 Max"—became the next logical step.
The course is designed to help every diver—from absolute beginner to seasoned shooter—quickly understand:
- How the Seatouch 4 Max works
- Practical shooting techniques underwater
- Accessory selection
- Lighting basics
- Smartphone camera setup
- Recommended apps
- Care, maintenance, and troubleshooting
The goal was simple: Remove the frustration and accelerate the fun.
One of my favorite things since launching the course has been hearing from divers who previously struggled with underwater shooting and now capture images they're proud of.
Pushing Beyond Hardware: Creating the UWACAM App
Scuba Diver using UWACAM to capture a clown fish in the Maldives
Even with great housings and education, I felt one piece was still missing: the right camera app.
Standard smartphone camera apps weren't built for underwater use. Controls were too small, too fiddly, too limited, or too inconsistent. Even many third-party camera apps built for professionals weren't optimized for the underwater environment.
So, alongside two talented Swiss software engineers, I co-created UWACAM—a mobile app built specifically for underwater photography and videography.
Our vision: Turn your smartphone into the most powerful underwater camera system in its category.
Key Features That Make UWACAM Different
UWACOLOR – Automatic Underwater Color Processing
Water absorbs color, especially reds, oranges, and yellows. UWACOLOR intelligently restores natural color and contrast at depth—either in real-time or during post-processing. The result is footage that already looks right straight out of the camera.
AI-Powered Fish Identification
Curious what you just filmed? UWACAM identifies marine species directly inside the app using AI recognition models—an educational and fun addition for divers of all levels.
AUTO & PRO Modes
Beginners can shoot instantly without worrying about settings. Advanced users can access:
- Manual white balance
- Manual exposure
- Focus control
- LOG profiles
- LUT previews
- High-bitrate encoding
- And more
All optimized for underwater use.
Built for Divevolk
UWACAM's interface and controls are designed to match the way Divevolk housings work underwater—big touch zones, intuitive button placement, glove-friendly layouts.
Available on iOS and Android
No platform left behind. No complicated setup. Just install, open, and start shooting.
UWACAM receives continuous updates, new features, and improvements. It's a living project—one that evolves with both user feedback and Divevolk's hardware innovation.
The Perfect Match: Divevolk × UWACAM
I've tested more underwater smartphone housings than I can count. Many are decent. Some are good. Few are great. And none deliver the complete experience that Divevolk does when paired with UWACAM.
Why?
1. Unmatched Intuitiveness
Divevolk's touchscreen implementation is simply the best in the smartphone-housing market. No lag. No awkward physical buttons. No underwater frustration.
2. Lightweight, Travel-Ready, and Versatile
Compared to bulky mirrorless setups, or action cameras that quickly reach their limits underwater, the Divevolk + UWACAM system hits the perfect balance of:
- Portability
- Power
- Creative control
- Affordability
3. Results That Outperform Action Cameras
Smartphones have dramatically better sensors, computational photography capabilities, and dynamic range. Paired with UWACOLOR and full manual controls, the output easily outshines action cameras and many compact systems.
4. Beginner Friendly, Expert Capable
You can hand this setup to a brand-new diver and they'll get usable footage immediately. You can hand it to a professional filmmaker and they'll appreciate the creative flexibility.
That blend is rare.
SPECIAL FOR DIVEVOLK USERS: 10% OFF UWACAM YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION
Because so many Divevolk users have already joined the UWACAM community, we created a special benefit just for you:
Get 10% off your first yearly UWACAM subscription
Use code: UWA10
Redeemable directly inside the app on both iOS and Android.
This is our way of saying thank you to the Divevolk family for being such an active part of UWACAM's development—and for supporting a tool built specifically for your housings.
A Journey from Curiosity to Passion
Matthias with a compact Divevolk rig
Looking back at my first Divevolk test video years ago and comparing it to everything we've built together—hardware, education, software, creative projects—it's incredible how far this collaboration has come.
From the SeaTouch 3
to the Seatouch 4 Max
to the Platinum edition
to my online course
to the launch of UWACAM...
The goal has always been the same: Make underwater storytelling easier, more intuitive, and more rewarding for everyone.
Divevolk has changed how divers take cameras underwater. UWACAM has changed how smartphones behave underwater.
Together, they form a powerful, compact, and foolproof system that empowers creators of all levels to share the beauty of the underwater world with clarity and confidence.
If you're ready to capture ocean beauty effortlessly, Divevolk and UWACAM are the perfect place to start.
See you under the surface.
— Matthias
