Yitang Xu (Coral man)
Documentary Producer | Underwater Photographer | Technical Diver | Science Communication Ambassador
Yitang Xu, born in 1995, graduated from the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts with a degree in Peking Opera Performance. During his sophomore year, an unexpected encounter with coral dramatically shifted the course of his life—transforming from a student in Peking Opera into a professional underwater photographer. Today, he is affectionately known among his friends as the "CORAL MAN."
He serves as Photography Director for the Cultivation and Career of Biodiversity Photographer (CCBP), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he teaches underwater photography and dedicates to the creation of cinematic works.
In the field of visual storytelling, Xu has collaborated extensively with national media: in 2023, he participated in the underwater cinematography for Xinhua News Agency's major marine humanities documentary To the Deep Blue, and also starred as the main character in its fourth episode The Blue Dream. In 2024, he was again invited to take part in Xinhua News Agency’s high-profile documentary Water from the South, serving as both underwater cinematographer and interviewee for the Baiyangdian chapter. Additionally, he has co-created numerous works with MediaStorm, one of China's leading media creators, collectively garnering tens of millions of views.
Xu serves as a Science Communication Ambassador for the Chinese Academy of Sciences ‘Science, Education, Life, Future (SELF)’ program, a Biodiversity Advocacy Officer for the SEE Foundation, and an Expert Advisor for the TsingHua University Student Diver Association. He is dedicated to promoting marine conservation through powerful cinematography and photography, and also leads technical diving teams in long-term biodiversity surveys of deep-water coral reefs in the Xisha Islands, seamlessly integrating scientific research with visual documentation.
水下摄影师 纪录片制片人 技术潜水员 科学传播大使
徐一唐，1995年出生，毕业于中国戏曲学院京剧表演专业。大二那年，一次与珊瑚的偶然相遇彻底改变了他的人生轨迹——从京剧科班生转型为专业水下摄影师，如今被朋友亲切地称为“CORAL MAN”。
他作为中国科学院昆明动物研究所“生物多样性影像人才培养与生涯”（CCBP）摄影指导，教学水下摄影与创作影视作品。
在影像创作领域，徐一唐多次与国家级媒体合作：2023年参与新华社大型海洋人文纪录片《走向深蓝》的水下拍摄，并担任第四集《蓝色梦幻》主人公；2024年再次受邀参与新华社重磅纪录片《南来之水》白洋淀章节的水下拍摄及受访。此外，他还与中国头部自媒体“影视飓风”共同创作了许多作品，总播放量达数千万。
作为中科院“格致论道”科学传播大使、SEE基金会生物多样性倡导官、清华大学潜水协会专家顾问，徐一唐致力于通过影像传递海洋保护理念。他同时长期带领技术潜水团队参与西沙群岛深水珊瑚礁生物多样性调查，将科研需求与影像记录深度融合。
Get in touch:
web: https://coralman.my.canvassite.cn/
wechat: CORALMANXYT