Indian photographer Rashid Sheriff dunked his iPhone 17 Pro Max underwater to capture an intimate portrait of his pet crowntail betta fish in Kerala, a shot he hopes will inspire wonder and curiosity.
From Auto Electrician to Smartphone Photographer
Sheriff, who works as an auto electrician in Qatar, rediscovered his passion for photography through smartphones. For 18 years, he has been away from his native Kerala, but his phone allows him to capture spontaneous moments with precision.
“I love to be close to nature, so I was always drawn to macro photography and animals and pets,” he says. “My phone allows me to capture beautiful, spontaneous moments with precision, even when they happen unexpectedly.”
The Making of the Crowntail Betta Portrait
The photograph was taken during a trip back to his house in Kerala. After sleeping most of the day, Sheriff woke up and headed to his balcony to photograph one of his pet fish.
“I filled a white ceramic bowl and carefully placed the fish inside,” he says. “This is a crowntail betta fish, named for its fins, which look like crowns, but people often call it a fighter fish. I turned my phone upside down and submerged it in the water, and I used the zoom and macro mode to get all the details.”
Low-Angle Photography and Connection with Subjects
Sheriff emphasizes the importance of low-angle or eye-level shots when photographing animals. “I really like taking low-angle or eye-level shots of animals; it allows us to get to know them better,” he adds. “I hope this image will inspire wonder and curiosity in those who see it.”
The image, titled An Intimate Portrait of a Crowntail Betta, 2026, was shot on an iPhone 17 Pro Max and showcases the intricate details of the fish’s crown-like fins.
