Rashid Sheriff, an auto electrician from Kerala, India, working in Qatar, has won recognition for a stunning underwater photograph of his pet crowntail betta fish, taken with an iPhone 17 Pro Max. The image, titled 'An Intimate Portrait of a Crowntail Betta, 2026', showcases the fish's intricate crown-like fins in vivid detail.
From school dreams to smartphone art
Sheriff's passion for photography and drawing began in his school days, but due to various limitations and circumstances, he could not pursue those interests. For the past 18 years, he has worked as an auto electrician in Qatar. Smartphones have allowed him to return to his creative passions. '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 winning shot: underwater macro
Sheriff took the photo during a trip back to his house in Kerala. After sleeping most of the day from exhaustion, he 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 explains. '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.'
Capturing a different perspective
The photographer 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 has been featured as a best phone picture, highlighting how smartphone technology enables creative photography even in challenging conditions like underwater environments.
