A face or hand slowly disappearing into water. Bubbles, ripples and the sensation that you are briefly submerged. The illusion works because the camera does not shoot from above the water but peers horizontally through the side glass of an aquarium. This makes the lens register the water as a solid plane with no perspective distortion. Combined with controlled top light and carefully placed flags, all visual noise disappears, allowing you to create a clean and controlled underwater aesthetic without complex rigs or waterproof housings.
Why This Works
The power of this technique lies in the way light and glass interact. By shooting through the side of the aquarium, the viewer feels as if the camera is already inside the water. Blocking the surroundings with black flags ensures that only the water and reflections remain visible. This results in a clean and cinematic look without the need to film underwater for real.
How to Build the Setup
Start with an aquarium at chest height. Fill it almost to the rim and leave enough space behind it, ideally forty to sixty centimeters. This distance prevents unwanted reflections or background elements from appearing in the glass.
Mount the Nanlite PavoTube II 30C directly above the tank. This light simulates the feel of a bathroom lamp shining straight down. A brightness level around forty to sixty percent provides clear but controlled highlights on the water surface.
Place black flags around the tank and the lens area so that only the side glass remains visible. This removes distraction outside the water and keeps the focus entirely on the underwater space.
Position the camera square to the side glass. Use manual focus and set focus on the point where the face or hand will enter the water. Mark that position with tape on the outside of the glass so each take stays consistent.
Action
Have the subject enter the water slowly. A brief pause mid movement creates tension and gives the water time to react naturally. When the subject rises again, bubbles and ripples add dynamic energy to the shot. Rehearsing the motion ensures smooth and controlled results.
Clean the glass between takes to avoid droplets or streaks. Slight underexposure enhances the highlights and adds a more cinematic feel.
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With this relatively simple setup you can create a convincing underwater look that works well for social content, commercials or creative film projects. By experimenting with light intensity, color temperature and movement speed, you can keep refining the effect and produce new variations every time.
