REPLAY: Live Portfolio Reviews (June 2026)
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This live portfolio review is a member-only event led by professional underwater photographer Nicolas Remy. During both sessions, Nicolas provided a constructive, in-depth critique of three TUC members’ portfolios, reviewing 10 of their best underwater photographs and answering their questions about technique, creative and editing choices. Other participants will be able to follow along live and contribute encouragement, observations, and suggestions via the meeting chat, adding an extra layer of perspective and support to each review.
Meet your host
Nicolas Remy is a French-Australian freelance underwater photographer based in Sydney, Australia. He is the founder and lead Photography instructor of The Underwater Club, and an ambassador for Mares and Nauticam.
A seasoned photojournalist, Nicolas has written dozens of articles for publications such as DivePhotoGuide, Scuba Diver Magazine, Ocean Geographic, Plongez! and AsianDiver, covering topics including marine life, dive travel, and photographic techniques.
Nicolas’ images have earned over 40 international awards, he has served as a judge for various photography competitions and chairs the jury of the prestigious DPG Masters, since 2024.
Visit his website to see more of Nicolas’ work.
Featured TUC Members
Meet the six underwater photographers who shared their work for open, constructive discussions.
Portfolios reviewed during Session 1
Mathieu Cornillon – Singapore
Originally from France and now based in Singapore, Mathieu Cornillon has shared a deep connection with the ocean for more than twenty-five years. Over the past twelve years, underwater photography has become his preferred medium for storytelling — capturing the intricate and often overlooked beauty thriving beneath the surface. Living in the heart of the Asia-Pacific region, he is now focused on exploring new waters and documenting the unique magic of Indo-Pacific marine life, one frame at a time.
After starting with a compact Olympus C8080, Mathieu later transitioned to a Nikon D7000 DSLR in an Ikelite housing, using a dual-strobe setup with classic Nikonos SB-105 strobes, complemented by a Backscatter MF-2 for precision macro work.
While still enjoying DSLR photography, Mathieu is currently embracing a new challenge: mastering lightweight underwater imaging. Using an iPhone 13 mini in a Divevolk housing, paired with dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses plus two powerful Bigblue torches, he is exploring how compelling underwater imagery can still be created while travelling light with family.
Instagram: @mcornillon_uw_photography
Smeeta Rishi – San Francisco, USA
Smeeta is based in San Francisco and is passionate about introducing non-divers to the intricate beauty of the underwater world and the fascinating creatures that inhabit it.
Through her photography, she hopes to inspire greater appreciation, protection, and conservation of marine environments.
Smeeta shoots with a Sony A7R III in a Nauticam housing, paired with two Backscatter Hybrid strobes.
Nathaniel Schmidt – Mexico
Based in Northern Baja California, Nathaniel Schmidt has spent most of his life diving after falling in love with the Pacific kelp forests and the ocean environment surrounding them. In recent years, both of his daughters also began diving, renewing his passion for the underwater world and allowing him to experience it through their eyes.
Nathaniel started underwater photography with an Olympus TG-7, enjoying the camera’s versatility before recently upgrading to a Sony A7R V, while passing the TG-7 on to his wife. He enjoys both macro and wide-angle photography, though the conditions, marine life, and people he is diving with often shape what he chooses to focus on during each dive.
For Nathaniel, the ocean continues to offer something new every time he enters it, and underwater photography has become a way to preserve not only the marine life and landscapes he encounters, but also the experiences he shares with his family beneath the surface.
Instagram: @nataguamala
Portfolios reviewed during Session 2
Robin Strellen – Germany
Based in the rural southwest of Germany, just minutes from the Luxembourg border, Robin Strellen may live far from the ocean — but whenever possible, he seeks opportunities to be underwater, whether in local lakes or remote oceanic destinations. In everyday life, Robin works in vegetable farming, while underwater photography has become his creative outlet and connection to the marine world.
Robin began taking underwater images with a GoPro in 2020 before transitioning to a Canon EOS R8 in 2023, primarily using the Canon 8–15mm fisheye for wide-angle work and the 100mm macro lens for close-up subjects. Around the same time, he discovered freediving, which gradually shifted both the way he explores the ocean and the way he photographs it — moving increasingly away from scuba and toward breath-hold diving.
Drawn to the mood and authenticity of natural light, Robin shoots predominantly without strobes, favouring natural atmosphere over artificial lighting. Inspired by the impactful imagery of photographers like Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, he hopes his own images can one day inspire viewers to care more deeply about marine species and their fragile habitats.
Instagram: @robinstrellen
Join Robin on a trip: www.mobulaocean.com/trips
Jo Cudmore – Philippines
Jo Cudmore was born and lived in the United Kingdom. Her passion for diving began in 2007, while on holiday in Egypt, she started both diving and underwater photography. This interest continued during future holidays in the Red Sea and the Maldives, where she further honed her skills and deepened her appreciation for the underwater world.
Jo’s fascination with muck diving started in 2013, following a special birthday trip to Lembeh. The unique underwater environments and diverse marine life encountered there left a lasting impression, shaping her diving preferences for the years to come.
After experiencing diving in various locations across the Philippines, Jo’s husband and her decided to retire there. Although their move was slightly postponed due to the Covid pandemic, they eventually arrived in March 2022 and settled near Dauin in Negros Oriental, Philippines.
Jo dedicates as much time as possible to underwater photography. Alongside this pursuit, she and her husband are also triathlon athletes, which requires them to strike a balance between time spent above and below the water.
Instagram: @jocudmoreuwp
Website: www.jocudmore.com.
Mark Johnson – United Kingdom
Mark Johnson’s passion for underwater photography began during his very first try dive in Eilat in 2006, armed with a disposable “waterproof” 35mm film camera, whose housing required regular ascents to empty water during the dive!
Since then, Mark has travelled extensively with his two brothers, diving around the world in destinations such as Raja Ampat, Dumaguete and Galápagos. Drawn equally to tiny macro subjects and remote wilderness, Mark enjoys photographing everything from nudibranchs to dramatic wildlife encounters in isolated locations.
Mark also enjoys topside wildlife photography too and regularly brings a 100–400mm lens aboard dive boats to photograph birds and other wildlife encountered during expeditions. He has a particular interest in fluorescence photography, both underwater and on land, appreciating the alternative perspective it reveals. Today, Mark shoots with a Canon R7 in a Nauticam housing, paired with Canon lenses and Inon Z330 strobes.
Facebook: @mjohns17
Portfolio: brows more of Mark’s images on Google Photos.
What attendees said about the webinar
Participants had a great time! But don’t take our word for it, here are some of the comments typed in the meeting chat:
💡 “Really enjoyed seeing your images and hearing Nicholas advice – thank you” — Benita
🎯 “Well done everyone, very interesting” — John
🙏 “Thank you everyone for your participation and feebdacks !” — Mathieu
🙏 “Many thanks Nicolas for your super helpful input. Thank you everyone for your encouraging comments.” — Mark
✨ “Very nice session and beautiful pics so far 🙂” — Ariane Hinkel
👏 “Really great photographs and something to work hard to achieve – thanks” — John Kay
💬 “Hopefully I can get in next time!” — Matt Dowse
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