Kevin and Cherie celebrating one of their many successes. Encouragement and achievement have played a great part in building Dive 2000, one of the most prominent dive shops and dive clubs enterprises in Australia.
Kevin Deacon is considered one of Australias most experienced,
accomplished and highly published underwater photographers. His
images have received international acclaim and have graced the pages
of prestigious books and magazines through out the World during the
past 25 years.
Kevins expertise and experience includes organizing and leading
adventure dive and underwater photography/video tours to exotic
locations throughout the world.
Kevin skippered the Rubber Ducks from the lagoon at Lord Howe Island out to the Admiralty Islands during the early years of Sea Life Dive Co's entry into the Dive Travel business in 1979/80's. Eventually becoming Pro - Dive Lord Howe Island and run for many years by Jeff Deacon, Kevin's brother.
As a keen naturalist he also enjoys introducing divers to the incredible biodiversity of the marine world. As an expedition leader Kevin has been responsible for many
successful expeditions and photo shoots for other notable
photographers & naturalists such as Jean Michel Cousteau & David
Doubilet, National Geographic.
A very experienced Master of Ceremonies, Kevin's long term commitment to the Australian Dive Industry and Australian Dive Travel industry has been reflected in his achievements, excelling in every field he has entered.
PADI Master Diver Trainer
As a PADI Master Diver Trainer Kevin has been actively involved in
all levels of diver training from beginners through to trainee
instructors and dive masters over the past 40 years.
He is regarded as one of the pioneers of recreational diving in Australia,
introducing the concept of underwater photography courses in Australia during 1980.
Kevins training programmes and guidance has helped many other Australian & international underwater photographers achieve their goals and awards.
Kevin was not just an excellent photographer, but due to his understanding of photography, he is the best underwater model in the business. Always presenting the best angle and position, he certainly made my wide angles tell the story they were supoposed to.
( photo: Neville Coleman Lord Howe Island 1979)
Kevin has also received recognition for his continuing support of
PADI and significant contributions to PADIs growth in Australia. He
has also been awarded the prestigious SSI Pro 5000 award. This award
is only given to those who SSI (Scuba Schools International)
recognize as having completed in excess of 5000 dives in pursuit of
their career. In their words `The Upper Echelon the top 1% of all
divers worldwide.
In 2002, South Pacific Divers, conveners of the Australasian
Photographer of the Year Awards, introduced an elite Masters Award
for the purpose of defining the best underwater photographer in
Australasia. Kevin succeeded in winning the Masters Award in its
inaugural year.
Is this guy looking for critters, or what?
Holding the pose, ensuring his fins were just the right angles, and holding his camera so it could be seen, and to envision the photo - journalist's requirements as part of a series to illustrate a story.
Kevin knew it all.
(photo: Neville Coleman Lord Howe Island )
Kevin Deacon, also an accomplished author, has produced some
spectacular books. These include: Australia Down Under, a best seller
that revealed the diversity of reefs, marine life and environment in
Australian seas. Australia and the South Pacific, an equally
spectacular coffee table book that captured the culture and beauty of
these island nations and the unique underwater environment of each
region. Sharks & Rays, a co production with several authors and
photographers that produced a beautifully illustrated book revealing
the value of sharks and a guide to shark dive sites, diving &
interacting with sharks around the world.
Kevins many awards include:
Oceans Underwater Photographer of the Year (Australians original
Underwater Photographic Festival sponsored by Sport Diving Magazine)
South Pacific Divers, Australasian Photographer of the Year, 1998
Australias most prestigious underwater photography award)
Australian Geographic Award 1993. In recognition of excellence for
the best photography in Australian Geographic Magazine during 1993.
Dive Australia Award. (For international Achievement in Underwater
Photography & Cinematography 1994. Awarded by the Australian Diving
Industry representatives.
PADI Founding Father Award 1995. (For outstanding contribution to
the development of underwater still and live action photography in
the recreational diving industry and the media.
South Pacific Divers, Australasian Photographer of the Year 2002
Masters Award (The highest award ever attained by an underwater
photographer in Australasia)