This underwater close-up style is trending on Instagram because it looks cinematic, mysterious, and ultra-premium. The dappled sunlight patterns on the face (called water caustics) instantly make the image feel like a high-budget film shot.
Good news: you can create this Viral AI Image for free using Google Gemini. Just upload your reference face photo, paste the prompt, and always request 9:16 aspect ratio (Instagram Reel size) for the best results.
The Viral Prompt (Copy-Paste for Google Gemini)
Use the uploaded reference photo as the identity guide. Keep the SAME person 100% identical to the attached image (do not change identity, face shape, facial features, skin tone, or proportions). Ultra-realistic result.
Create an ultra-realistic, highly detailed, 8K cinematic underwater portrait. Composition: symmetrical, eye-level close-up of a person fully submerged in water, facing directly toward the camera. The frame is dominated by the head and neck; rich textures of skin and water must be clearly visible.
Lighting is critical: dappled sunlight filters through the water surface above, creating intricate, undulating caustic patterns of light and shadow across the face. The sparkling patterns should be most prominent on the cheeks, nose, and chin, with warm golden-yellow highlights contrasting against cooler submerged tones.
Water: deep, dark teal-blue water surrounding the subject, creating strong contrast with the illuminated skin. Small air bubbles are suspended around the neck and near the edges of the frame to enhance immersion.
Face details: eyes open and intense emerald-green, reflecting glints of light from above. Extremely sharp focus on the face (no blur on facial features). Show subtle pores, realistic wet skin texture, faint lip texture, and tiny wet hair strands on the forehead.
Hair: wet hair clinging to the head, mostly submerged, with a few strands floating naturally. No stylized or cartoon hair.
Depth of field: face tack-sharp with a subtle falloff into the water background to emphasize depth and proximity.
Mood: serene, contemplative, slightly mysterious. Cinematic realism, professional lens sharpness, HDR, realistic color grading, subtle filmic contrast (not over-processed).
Negative rules: no distortion, no extra fingers, no extra limbs, no text, no watermark, no logo, not cartoon, not anime.
Create an image in 9:16 aspect ratio (Instagram Reel size).
Pose Variant 1 (Neutral Straight-On + Slight Chin Down)
Use the uploaded reference photo as the identity guide. Keep the SAME person 100% identical to the attached image (do not change identity, face shape, facial features, skin tone, or proportions). Ultra-realistic result.
Create an ultra-realistic, highly detailed, 8K cinematic underwater portrait. Composition: symmetrical, eye-level close-up of a person fully submerged in water, facing directly toward the camera. The frame is dominated by the head and neck; rich textures of skin and water must be clearly visible
POSE (only change): The subject holds a steady, calm pose with the chin slightly lowered (very subtle), giving a more intense, intimate look. Shoulders are relaxed and level. The face remains centered and perfectly symmetrical in the frame, with a serene but mysterious expression.
Lighting is critical: dappled sunlight filters through the water surface above, creating intricate, undulating caustic patterns of light and shadow across the face. The sparkling patterns should be most prominent on the cheeks, nose, and chin, with warm golden-yellow highlights contrasting against cooler submerged tones.
Water: deep, dark teal-blue water surrounding the subject, creating strong contrast with the illuminated skin. Small air bubbles are suspended around the neck and near the edges of the frame to enhance immersion.
Face details: eyes open and intense emerald-green, reflecting glints of light from above. Extremely sharp focus on the face (no blur on facial features). Show subtle pores, realistic wet skin texture, faint lip texture, and tiny wet hair strands on the forehead.
Hair: wet hair clinging to the head, mostly submerged, with a few strands floating naturally. No stylized or cartoon hair.
Depth of field: face tack-sharp with a subtle falloff into the water background to emphasize depth and proximity.
Mood: serene, contemplative, slightly mysterious. Cinematic realism, professional lens sharpness, HDR, realistic color grading, subtle filmic contrast (not over-processed).
Negative rules: no distortion, no extra fingers, no extra limbs, no text, no watermark, no logo, not cartoon, not anime.
Create an image in 9:16 aspect ratio (Instagram Reel size).
Pose Variant 2 (Slight Head Tilt + Eyes Locked)
Use the uploaded reference photo as the identity guide. Keep the SAME person 100% identical to the attached image (do not change identity, face shape, facial features, skin tone, or proportions). Ultra-realistic result.
Create an ultra-realistic, highly detailed, 8K cinematic underwater portrait. Composition: symmetrical, eye-level close-up of a person fully submerged in water, facing directly toward the camera. The frame is dominated by the head and neck; rich textures of skin and water must be clearly visible.
POSE (only change): The subject keeps the body straight but tilts the head slightly to one side (very subtle, less than 10 degrees). Eyes stay locked directly on the camera. Expression remains calm and mysterious, like a cinematic underwater still.
Lighting is critical: dappled sunlight filters through the water surface above, creating intricate, undulating caustic patterns of light and shadow across the face. The sparkling patterns should be most prominent on the cheeks, nose, and chin, with warm golden-yellow highlights contrasting against cooler submerged tones.
Water: deep, dark teal-blue water surrounding the subject, creating strong contrast with the illuminated skin. Small air bubbles are suspended around the neck and near the edges of the frame to enhance immersion.
Face details: eyes open and intense emerald-green, reflecting glints of light from above. Extremely sharp focus on the face (no blur on facial features). Show subtle pores, realistic wet skin texture, faint lip texture, and tiny wet hair strands on the forehead.
Hair: wet hair clinging to the head, mostly submerged, with a few strands floating naturally. No stylized or cartoon hair.
Depth of field: face tack-sharp with a subtle falloff into the water background to emphasize depth and proximity
Mood: serene, contemplative, slightly mysterious. Cinematic realism, professional lens sharpness, HDR, realistic color grading, subtle filmic contrast (not over-processed).
Negative rules: no distortion, no extra fingers, no extra limbs, no text, no watermark, no logo, not cartoon, not anime.
Create an image in 9:16 aspect ratio (Instagram Reel size).
How to Customize This Prompt
To personalize it, only replace the parts below (keep everything else the same):
- Change water color: “deep, dark teal-blue” → “deep ocean blue” / “emerald pool green”
- Change eye color: “emerald-green” → “ice blue” / “hazel”
- Change mood: “slightly mysterious” → “peaceful” / “dramatic”
- Add tiny extras (optional): “more micro-bubbles” or “stronger sunlight caustics”
If you want your face to stay identical, never remove:
- “Use the uploaded reference photo as the identity guide”
- “Keep the SAME person 100% identical…”
How to Create This Image Using Google Gemini
Step 1: Open Google Gemini
Open Google Gemini on your phone or laptop.
Step 2: Upload Your Reference Photo
Upload your face photo so Gemini can match your identity.
Step 3: Paste the Prompt + Add 9:16 Instruction
Paste the prompt above and ensure it includes:
“Create an image in 9:16 aspect ratio (Instagram Reel size).”
Step 4: Download the Image
Download the final image and post it as a Reel or Story.
Conclusion
This underwater sunlight portrait is one of the best Trending Viral AI Image styles because it looks artistic and realistic at the same time. The teal water, floating bubbles, and golden light patterns create a cinematic vibe that people love to save and share.
Now try it in Google Gemini, generate it in 9:16, and post it on Instagram with a moody caption. If you create something amazing, share it in Stories, tag your friends, and tell them you used a Google Gemini Prompt—because this look is made to go viral!
