Underwater Photography's Different Angle: Reflections from Dive Festival Bern 2026

One weeks ago, the Vidmarhallen at Dive Festival Bern 2026 became the stage for an extraordinary journey beneath the surface. Elias Nussbaum and Andreas Müller presented "Unterwasserfotografie – Der andere Blickwinkel" (Underwater Photography - The Other Perspective), an interactive talk that challenged conventional approaches to capturing the underwater world.

Beyond the Surface

What made this presentation unique wasn't just the stunning imagery showcased, but the philosophy behind it. Both photographers championed the art of unmittelbare Fotografie – immediate, authentic photography straight from the camera. In an era of heavy digital manipulation, their commitment to "RAW perfection" and getting it right in-camera felt refreshingly honest.

The talk unfolded like a dive itself, taking the audience through the complete journey from initial impression to final presentation. Andreas and Elias didn't just show finished images; they demonstrated live how creative underwater photographs are born - revealing that once you understand the fundamentals, the seemingly complex often becomes surprisingly simple.

The Live Magic

One of the presentation's highlights was the live over-water demonstrations. Using macro photography setups with creative lighting, the duo showed how technical knowledge combines with intuition and personal character to shape an image. Watching them compose, light, and shoot in real-time demystified the creative process and proved that spectacular results don't always require spectacular equipment – just understanding and vision.

A Philosophy of Photography

Throughout the talk, several themes emerged:

Perception and Intuition: How what we see underwater is shaped by our cognitive state, our experience, and even the physical effects of nitrogen narcosis at depth. This acknowledgment of photography's inherent subjectivity was both humble and liberating.

Learning Through Comparison: The presenters encouraged photographers to steal (with attribution!) from inspiration, to study others' work, and to iterate relentlessly. One striking example showed over 60 shots of a single subject, demonstrating that the perfect composition often emerges through patient experimentation.

Courage and Community: Perhaps most importantly, they emphasized the importance of sharing work publicly, accepting criticism, and engaging with the community – particularly through initiatives like the international #makrogehtimmer movement.

The Exhibition

Complementing the talk, fine art prints adorned the venue walls, allowing attendees to study the work up close. The collection ranged from abstract coral patterns to dramatic wide-angle scenes, each demonstrating different facets of the underwater photographer's craft.

Looking Forward

As the session concluded, it became clear this wasn't just a photography talk - it was an invitation to question our perspectives, both literally and figuratively. Whether you're an experienced underwater photographer or someone who simply appreciates the beauty of the aquatic realm, Elias and Andreas reminded us that every dive offers a chance to see differently, to challenge ourselves, and to capture moments that reveal the hidden magic of the underwater world.

For those who missed it, keep an eye out for future presentations from these passionate ambassadors of underwater photography. Their message resonates far beyond the dive community: authenticity, curiosity, and courage are essential ingredients not just for great images, but for meaningful creative work of any kind.

Special thanks to Dive Festival Bern for hosting such inspiring content, and to Elias Nussbaum and Andreas Müller for sharing their vision with the diving community.