Blush Below 

An Exhibition of Underwater Photography

"Blush Below" presents a curated collection of underwater photographs exploring the delicate spectrum of pink hues found beneath the surface of the Philippine seas. Through mainly macro imagery, the exhibition highlights the intricate beauty and biodiversity of one of the world's most vibrant marine ecosystems.

The Philippines, renowned for its coral-rich reefs and exceptional species variety, serves as the backdrop for this visual study in color, form, and texture. Expansive reefscapes are rendered in soft blush tones, while detailed portraits of marine life - such as a goby fish, crabs and shrimps and some corals-offer intimate glimpses into the lesser-seen intricacies of the underwater world.

The exhibition offers a reflection of nature's palette beneath the waves, where pinks emerge organically.

"Blush Below" is both a celebration of marine beauty and a gentle reminder of the fragility of these ecosystems. In capturing this rare chromatic perspective, the exhibition seeks to inspire deeper appreciation and continued stewardship of our oceanic environments.

LIANE BONGGA [FR]

Dive into Liane's world of underwater exploration! Growing up in Vietnam, she cultivated a profound appreciation for nature's beauty. Her journey has taken her across different oceans, where she explored vibrant coral reefs and their colorful ecosystems. Collaborating with dive centers, Liane captures the stunning diversity of marine life, transporting viewers to the mesmerizing underwater realms.

Through her lens, she celebrates the wonders of our planet, inspiring others to explore the depths of the ocean and its hidden treasures. Liane is also the co-founder of Freeflow Marine Expedition, a platform created to share her deep passion for diving and ocean conservation through immersive experiences, by traveling on liveaboards.

As a co-founder of Bubbles & Lenses, she channels her love for underwater photography, offering courses and personalized guidance to aspiring photographers in the Philippines. Whether you're diving beside her or learning behind the lens, Liane invites you to discover the magic of the underwater world and become a storyteller of the sea.

Learn more about our underwater friends below

Natural Pigments

The Pink Spectrum of Aquatic Life

This exhibition explores the fascinating world of natural pigmentation in fish, with a specific focus on the pinkish hues that appear across a variety of species. These colors, ranging from soft blushes to vibrant salmon tones, are the result of complex biological and environmental factors — including genetics, diet, habitat, and light interaction underwater.

Pink coloration in fish often comes from pigments called carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, which are abundant in their diet of algae, plankton, or small crustaceans that are rich in these natural color compounds. Structural coloration and iridophores (light-reflecting cells) further influence how these pigments appear in natural lighting conditions, creating an iridescent or shimmering effect.

Notable examples featured in this collection include the redhead goby [1], with its strikingly pigmented head that contrasts against its pale body, and the whip coral goby [2], a species that mirrors the pinkish hues of the coral it inhabits—both for camouflage and visual harmony.

Also included is the marbled shrimp [3], a translucent species with delicate pink markings, often encountered during night dives, when its subtle coloration becomes more apparent under artificial light.

From coral reefs to freshwater habitats, the images offer a closer look at how pinkish tones serve purposes beyond aesthetics — ranging from camouflage and mating displays to species identification and signaling.

Masters of Disguise

Camouflage and Adaptation in Marine Life

Focusing on natural adaptations, the photographs highlight how certain species blend seamlessly into their surroundings — not only to evade predators, but also to ambush prey or establish territory.

Among the highlights is the hermit crab [4], which selects and inhabits discarded shells, sometimes choosing ones that mirror the colors of its environment. In particular, specimens using pink-hued shells demonstrate a striking harmony with coral or sandy seabeds, turning a practical shelter into an effective camouflage tool.

Another captivating example is the decorator crab [5], a species known for attaching materials like algae, sponges, or coral to its shell. In this exhibition, individuals adorned with pink coral fragments illustrate the crab’s instinctive ability to blend into its habitat. This behavior is not random — it is a carefully evolved survival strategy, where the chosen decorations match the crab's environment, reducing its visibility to both predators and prey.

Also featured is the bobtail squid [6], a small but astonishing cephalopod that uses both bioluminescence and ink release as tools of disguise. Its body hosts symbiotic bacteria that produce light, allowing the squid to eliminate its shadow and avoid detection by predators below. When threatened, it can also eject a cloud of ink — temporarily masking its escape and adding yet another layer to its sophisticated camouflage system.

Camouflage in the underwater world is more than just concealment — it is a living, adaptive art form shaped by evolution.

Origins of Life

The Art and Evolution of Marine Reproduction

Through intricate patterns, specialized behaviors, and unique structures, these images reveal how reproduction is not only essential — but also exquisitely beautiful.

One highlight of the collection features nudibranchs [7], soft-bodied marine mollusks known not only for their vivid colors but also for the delicate, flower-like spirals of their egg masses. These ribbon-like coils, often arranged in perfect symmetry, serve both functional and protective purposes — anchoring the eggs in safe locations and maximizing exposure to oxygen-rich water. Their shape is as much about survival as it is about visual elegance, shaped by millions of years of evolutionary refinement.

In another way, the pipefish [8], close relatives of seahorses, reproduction’s take an unusual turn: it is the male who carries the eggs. After the female transfers the eggs to the male’s brood pouch, he fertilizes and protects them until hatching. Have a closer look, we can actually see the eyes in the eggs !

The marine world is not only a matter of function — but also of form, adaptation, and deep evolutionary creativity.

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