Dave Baxter is a Melbourne-based underwater photographer, technical diver, and PADI Master Instructor with more than 35 years of experience in scuba diving and instruction. He has certified over 1,500 students and brings a rare mix of field experience, technical discipline, and artistic intent to his underwater photography.
Through Oceansoul Photography, Dave focuses on Australia’s temperate-water marine life, especially the quiet drama found beneath southern piers, reefs, and coastal habitats. His work centres on behaviour, mood, restraint, and emotional connection, using controlled light, negative space, snoot lighting, backlighting, and careful composition to reveal the character of marine subjects.
Rather than simply documenting what is underwater, Dave aims to create images that feel personal, deliberate, and atmospheric. His subjects include seahorses, weedy seadragons, octopus, cuttlefish, rays, spider crabs, nudibranchs, and other marine life found around Australia’s southern coastline.
Dave’s photography has been recognised in Australia and internationally, with awards, finalist placements, and commendations across major underwater photography competitions and publications. His work has appeared in Sport Diver Magazine, Dive Log Magazine, and South Australian Government tourism material promoting the Whyalla cuttlefish aggregation.
Oceansoul Photography offers fine-art underwater images, photo reviews, workshops, prints, and licensing for divers, photographers, collectors, publications, and marine-focused organisations.