Underwater Photography
Taking photographs that are worth keeping — which starts with buoyancy, not with a camera.
Underwater photography is a large part of why many people keep diving, and Australia's temperate sites in particular reward it: seadragons, cuttlefish, sponge gardens and macro life that exists nowhere else.
The course covers the things water does to light — colour loss with depth, backscatter from particles, and the fact that getting closer solves more problems than any equipment upgrade.
The uncomfortable truth it also teaches is that buoyancy control matters more than the camera. A diver who cannot hold position cannot photograph a subject without destroying the visibility first.
Buoyancy first, camera second
A photographer who cannot hold a stable position will stir sediment, destroy visibility for themselves and everyone else, and damage the habitat they came to photograph.
Peak Performance Buoyancy before a photography course produces better results than the reverse order.
Marine life etiquette
Weedy and leafy seadragons, seahorses and handfish are protected, slow-moving and easily stressed by crowding and repeated strobe flashes.
Limit time per animal, keep a respectful distance and never move or handle a subject to improve a shot. A photograph is not worth the animal's stress.
Dive sites where Underwater Photography matters
Sites where the skills this course teaches are directly useful.
Dive centres that teach at this level
Centres whose training capability covers this course. Availability, schedules and the exact agency programme vary; confirm with the centre.
Perth Scuba
ProfiledCanning Vale · Perth · WA
One of the most fully documented operations in Western Australia, covering recreational, professional, technical and freediving training alongside substantial equipment facilities.
perthscuba.com · (08) 9455 4448
Abyss Scuba Diving
ProfiledRamsgate · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Sydney operation associated with training across recreational and technical levels, boat diving and equipment services.
abyss.com.au · +61 2 9583 9662
Dolphin Scuba Diving
ProfiledWelshpool · Perth · WA
A Perth business providing training, equipment and service support.
dolphinscuba.com.au · (08) 9353 2488
Dive Darwin
ProfiledDarwin · Darwin Harbour · NT
The main verified dive operation in the Northern Territory, offering recreational training through professional level alongside technical diving and a large specialty range.
divedarwin.com.au · +61 401 751 651
Frog Dive Sydney
ProfiledGladesville · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Willoughby PADI 5 Star IDC founded in 1985, teaching recreational through Trimix and rebreather courses with PADI, SDI and TDI, and testing cylinders in-store.
frogdive.com.au · (02) 9958 5699
Pro Dive Sydney
ProfiledSt Peters · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
Pro Dive's inner-Sydney training centre at Alexandria, close to Camp Cove, Clovelly, Gordons Bay and Bare Island, with courses to Divemaster, hire and servicing.
prodive.com.au · (02) 9665 6333
Dive Lord Howe
ProfiledLord Howe Island · Lord Howe Island · NSW
Lord Howe Island's major verified PADI operation, identified as a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort and running the island's certified diving, training and charters.
divelordhowe.com · (02) 6563 2253
Dive Centre Manly
ProfiledManly · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Northern Beaches operation with a long-standing presence at Shelly Beach, offering recreational training, boat diving and technical pathways.
divesydney.com.au · (02) 9977 4355
Pro Dive Brookvale
ProfiledBrookvale · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
Pro Dive's Northern Beaches centre at Brookvale, running the 43-foot dive boat Sea Life V alongside courses, hire, air fills and servicing.
prodive.com.au · (02) 9977 5966
Dive Centre Bondi
ProfiledBondi · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
An Eastern Suburbs PADI 5 Star IDC on Bondi Road teaching through Instructor and technical levels, with air, Nitrox and Trimix fills and manufacturer-approved servicing.
divebondi.com.au · +61 2 9369 3855
Jetty Dive Centre
ProfiledCoffs Harbour · Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands · NSW
Coffs Harbour's PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, running the Solitary Islands dive fleet from the Jetty Strip with training, retail, Nitrox and whale swims.
jettydive.com.au · (02) 6651 1611
Dive Newcastle
ProfiledBeresfield · Port Stephens · NSW
A Beresfield dive superstore teaching RAID courses, with air fills, servicing, rental and a large scuba, freediving and spearfishing range.
neptunesports.com.au · (02) 4966 4900
Underwater Photography: frequently asked questions
Do I need an expensive camera?
No. Technique, proximity and lighting matter far more than the body. Many excellent underwater photographs are taken on compact cameras.
Why are my photos blue and washed out?
Water absorbs red light quickly. Getting closer, using a strobe or video light, and shooting shallower all restore colour.
What is backscatter?
Light from your strobe reflecting off particles between the lens and the subject. Moving strobes outward and getting closer to the subject are the standard fixes.