5th Swiss Underwater Pictures Days 2026
In 2026, this workshop weekend, the Swiss Underwater Pictures Days, will take place for the fifth time since its debut in 2022. The organization is still in full swing and further details will follow over the coming months. So it’s worth checking back from time to time or subscribing to the newsletter or social media channels.
Workshops at the Swiss Underwater Pictures Days:
There are 3 workshop blocks with 6 – 7 workshop topics each. Each participant can put together their own workshop weekend. There is a maximum of 5 participants in a group per workshop.
New workshop: Underwater photography for beginners
For all beginners to underwater photography or those who work with compact cameras such as the TG series, there is now a workshop that lasts the whole weekend (blocks 1 to 3). The workshop will focus specifically on the needs of beginners and compact cameras. You can find more information in the workshop description below.
Saturday morning 21.02.2026
Workshop leader Andreas Müller
3/5 places free
Wide-angle photography allows you to capture the full splendor of the underwater world in one photo. There are different requirements depending on the scene you want to photograph underwater. Light plays a central role here.
- You will learn which equipment is suitable for wide-angle photography.
- You will learn how to take photos with mixed light, flash and ambient light.
- You will learn how to create wide-angle photos.
- …
Workshop leader Frank Doll
2/5 places free
Underwater photography is more than just taking pictures – with the right basics, you can also take impressive pictures with compact cameras such as the OM-System TG7. In three blocks, you will learn how to capture both macro subjects and exciting wide-angle scenes, which equipment is suitable for what and how you can improve your photos step by step.
You learn:
- As a beginner to underwater photography, you will learn the basics of macro and wide-angle photography underwater.
- You will learn how to achieve the best results with your compact camera.
- You will learn which equipment and accessories are useful for different situations.
- You will learn the most important technical aspects of photography such as exposure, depth of field and image composition.
- You will learn the targeted use of flash, light and natural ambient light.
- You will receive an introduction to advanced topics such as image editing and creative image design.
Workshop leader Georg Nies – Fully booked!
0/5 places free
The smudge images that you still see from time to time are blurred in a circle. But you can also blur in other ways to create a photo with this interesting effect. You can also experiment with long exposures under water in a very playful way.
In this workshop, the group and the workshop leader will approach these topics experimentally.
- You learn technical basics.
- You will learn how to make smudge pictures.
- You experiment with wipe and long exposure photos in the group.
- …
Workshop leader Heinz Erich Zappel
3/5 places free
In addition to classic and natural macro photography, you can also make a macro photo very creative. From the use of snoot with flash or lamp, with white or colored light. Or using aids for a bokeh in the background that looks different.
- You will learn about the equipment required for macro photography.
- You will learn about the technical aspects of macro photography.
- You will learn the correct use of flashes and light in macro photography.
- …
Workshop leader Konstantin Killer
3/5 places free
This workshop costs an additional CHF 80. (Reason for additional effort for model and safety diver)
An underwater model photography course teaches photographers how to use waterproof equipment,
special lighting techniques and camera settings. They learn how to safely
guide models underwater, set up poses and deal with the challenges of light, currents and
suspended matter. In addition, creative aspects such as color correction and image composition
are taught as well as important safety rules for photographers and models under water.
- You will learn how to choose the right equipment for an underwater model shoot.
- You will learn how to use the light and the conditions on location sensibly for your shoot.
- You will learn how to deal with the model before, during and after the shoot.
Shooting depth 1.5 to 1.8 meters
Workshop leader Thomas Zumbrunnen
5/5 places free
Capturing the little things in the big picture. There are many great macro motifs in underwater photography, whether in a lake or in the sea. Learn the basics of macro photography so that you can take good photos without any detours.
- You will learn about the equipment required for macro photography.
- You will learn about the technical aspects of macro photography.
- You will learn the correct use of flashes and light in macro photography.
- …
Saturday afternoon 21.02.2026
Workshop leader Andreas Müller
5/5 places free
This workshop is aimed at underwater photographers who already have some experience with different photographic techniques.
You’ve probably asked yourself how a certain photo was taken.
In the workshop “How do I take this photo?” we reproduce sample photos together in the group. Various wide-angle and slave flash techniques are used. We analyze, plan and implement everything in the pool.
- You will learn how to analyze a photo and understand how it could have been taken.
- You will learn how to plan a photo before the dive.
- You will learn how to implement the photo as planned or adapt the plan to the circumstances.
- …
Workshop leader Frank Doll
Underwater photography is more than just taking pictures – with the right basics, you can also take impressive pictures with compact cameras such as the OM-System TG7. In three blocks, you will learn how to capture both macro subjects and exciting wide-angle scenes, which equipment is suitable for what and how you can improve your photos step by step.
You learn:
- As a beginner to underwater photography, you will learn the basics of macro and wide-angle photography underwater.
- You will learn how to achieve the best results with your compact camera.
- You will learn which equipment and accessories are useful for different situations.
- You will learn the most important technical aspects of photography such as exposure, depth of field and image composition.
- You will learn the targeted use of flash, light and natural ambient light.
- You will receive an introduction to advanced topics such as image editing and creative image design.
Workshop leader Georg Nies
0/5 places free
In this workshop you will learn creative wide-angle photography. What has long been used in macro photography is transferred to wide-angle photography in this workshop. By using lamps, external flashes and filters, creative wide-angle photos are created.
- You will get to know the equipment that can be used.
- You will learn the techniques for working with light, external flashes and filters.
- You will learn how to use light, external flashes and filters in practice.
- …
Workshop leader Heinz Erich Zappel
2/5 places free
This workshop teaches the next step in macro photography. The main focus will be on working with close-up lenses and what needs to be considered when using the equipment.
- You get to know the equipment you need.
- You will learn how to use close-up lenses.
- You will learn how to use the flash correctly with super macro.
- …
Workshop leader Konstantin Killer
3/5 places free
This workshop costs an additional CHF 80. (Reason for additional effort for model and safety diver)
An underwater model photography course for advanced photographers deepens the use of
specialized equipment and complex lighting techniques under water. The focus is on
precise modeling, creative poses and mastering demanding challenges
such as depth, as well as light refraction and suspended matter in the water. Advanced techniques,
optimization of image composition are covered, as well as advanced safety guidelines for
working in deeper or more difficult underwater environments.
- You will learn how to choose the right equipment for an underwater model shoot.
- You learn to take creative and aesthetic aspects into account.
- You will learn how to handle the model as well as the appropriate styling, clothing and poses in the water.
- You will learn the safety aspects for photographers and models.
Workshop leader Thomas Zumbrunnen
4/5 places free
Black water is a very special type of underwater photography. Small creatures are photographed during a night dive in open water. Depending on the location, creatures come to the surface from the depths that can only be photographed in this way. The workshop will teach you how such a dive works and how to get good photos quickly.
- You will learn what black water photos are and how they are created.
- You will learn about the difficulties and how to overcome them.
- You will learn what equipment and diving skills are required for black water photography.
- …
Sunday-morning 22.02.2026
Workshop leader Andreas Müller
3/5 places free
Close focus wide-angle photography is a very special underwater photography technique. It combines macro photography with fisheye photography. The result is amazing photos that will amaze everyone.
- You will learn about the requirements for your equipment and the subject.
- You will learn the photographic realization of Close Focus Wideangle photos.
- You will learn how to take and design exciting Close Focus Wideangle photos.
- …
Workshop leader Frank Doll
Underwater photography is more than just taking pictures – with the right basics, you can also take impressive pictures with compact cameras such as the OM-System TG7. In three blocks, you will learn how to capture both macro subjects and exciting wide-angle scenes, which equipment is suitable for what and how you can improve your photos step by step.
You learn:
- As a beginner to underwater photography, you will learn the basics of macro and wide-angle photography underwater.
- You will learn how to achieve the best results with your compact camera.
- You will learn which equipment and accessories are useful for different situations.
- You will learn the most important technical aspects of photography such as exposure, depth of field and image composition.
- You will learn the targeted use of flash, light and natural ambient light.
- You will receive an introduction to advanced topics such as image editing and creative image design.
Workshop leader Georg Nies
3/5 places free
A photo with a view of both worlds – this is possible with a half-half or split level shot. The two media of air and water pose additional challenges for the photographer.
-
- You will learn which equipment you can use to take great half & half shots.
- You will learn how to create exciting half & half shots.
- You will learn the technical implementation of half & half shots.
- …
Workshop leader Heinz Erich Zappel
2/5 places free
A special creative method in underwater photography is the use of a magic tube. The subject is captured clearly in the photo, while the surroundings are shown in blurred color reflections, which offers a special eye-catcher.
In this workshop you will be introduced to this special technique and learn the basics as well as tips and tricks so that you can take unique magic tube photos. The additional use of close-up lenses will also be discussed so that even the smallest subjects can be photographed through the tube.
- You will learn about the equipment required for Macig Tube photos.
- You will learn the technical aspects of taking Macig Tube photos.
- You will learn about the creative implementation of Macig Tube photos.
- …
Workshop leader Konstantin Killer
2/5 places free
This workshop costs an additional CHF 80. (Reason for additional effort for model and safety diver)
An underwater model photography course for advanced photographers deepens the use of
specialized equipment and complex lighting techniques under water. The focus is on
precise modeling, creative poses and mastering demanding challenges
such as depth, as well as light refraction and suspended matter in the water. Advanced techniques,
optimization of image composition are covered, as well as advanced safety guidelines for
working in deeper or more difficult underwater environments.
- You will learn how to choose the right equipment for an underwater model shoot.
- You learn to take creative and aesthetic aspects into account.
- You will learn how to handle the model as well as the appropriate styling, clothing and poses in the water.
- You will learn the safety aspects for photographers and models.
Workshop leader Thomas Zumbrunnen
4/5 places free
In the macro image composition workshop you will be shown how to create a good and appealing image composition. The positioning of the subject, angle of view and design of light and shadow are conveyed.
- You will learn how to position the subject attractively and optimally in the picture.
- You will learn how to compose a macro photo.
- You learn how to direct the viewer’s gaze to the desired spot.
- …
Workshop leader:
Event data:
Start: Friday, February 20, 2026 / 5:00 p.m.
Costs:
- CHF 350.00 per participant.
- CHF 300.00 per SUSV member.
- Surcharge for model workshop CHF 80.- per participant and workshop.
End: Sunday, February 22, 2026 / 2:00 p.m.
Schedule
Friday
17:00
18:15
Check in for the workshop weekend
18:15
18:45
Greeting
18:45
20:00
Presentations
20:00
–
Dinner Restaurant Baulüüt
voluntary
Saturday
08:00
12:00
1st block of workshops
12:00
13:30
Lunch
13:30
13:45
Group photo
13:45
17:45
2nd block of workshops
17:45
18:15
Clean up
18:15
19:00
Free / Aperitif / …
19:00
–
Dinner Restaurant Baulüüt
voluntary
Sunday
08:00
12:00
3rd block of workshops
12:00
12:30
Final discussion
12:30
13:00
Clean up
Presentations:
On Friday evening and Saturday evening there will be various presentations on a wide range of topics of interest to underwater photographers.
Friday evening
Venue:
The entire workshop weekend will take place on the Sursee campus and in the sports arena.
The theory and practical parts of the workshops take place in the sports arena.
The hotel is located in the Campus Sursee seminar center, which is approx. 400 m away from the sports arena and can be reached on foot in 5-7 minutes.
The parking spaces are located between the sports arena and the seminar center. There is a parking lot for long-term parking where the parking fee is only CHF 5.00 per day.
Included services:
The following services are included in the cost of the workshop:
- 3. workshops of the participant’s choice. The underwater photography workshop for beginners (runs from Saturday morning to Sunday lunchtime. (please note: max. 5 participants per workshop block).
- Admission to the swimming pool on Saturday and Sunday.
- Lunch on Saturday
(soup, salad, choice of 2 daily menus or veggie menus, 1 drink, 1 coffee). - Drinks and snacks in the seminar rooms.
- Air for the dives (by prior arrangement).
- For most participants, 2 scuba tanks are sufficient for all 3 workshops)
- SEACAM products can be viewed and tested to a limited extent. It is best to register in advance if you would like to see something in particular.
Not included are:
- Overnight stay: It is recommended to book a a hotel room on the Sursee campus to book a hotel room. The easiest way to do this is via the website. Please use the PROMOCODE “INGMA”. This will make the booking work and you will receive a seminar rate.
- Dinner in the Baulüüt restaurant on Friday evening and Saturday evening.
- Diving equipment: Everyone brings their own diving equipment. The water is approx. 22° Celsius, please bring an appropriate wetsuit. Do you need help hiring diving equipment or do you just need a scuba tank? Then please get in touch with me.
- Insurance is the responsibility of the participant.
- Costs for the parking lot.
- Food and drink outside the above-mentioned consumption.
Registration:
The number of participants is limited to 30. Places will be allocated on receipt of registration. Registration is only final once payment has been credited to the account (invoice sent in January 2026).
Free places 17 / 30
Registration deadline is January 20, 2026.
Organized and carried out by:
Supported by:
Sponsor:
