The Man Behind the Lens at The Dive
If you’ve been to The Dive lately, chances are you’ve seen him—camera in hand, steady and patient in the chaos, quietly moving through the crowd as guitars wail and the lights flicker over the faces of the faithful. That’s Chay Whitlock, the official photographer of The Dive and one of the reasons the stories of our salty little corner of St. Andrews keep getting told so vividly.
While I’m usually just a patron who snaps photos for the fun of it, Chay’s got the real gig—and the artistic eye to match. His photos don’t just show what happened; they feel like The Dive. They’ve got that same raw honesty, the same rough-edged beauty that makes the place what it is.
His imagery is dark and moody, soaked in shadow and color. You’ll notice the subtle vignetting that pulls your eye straight into the moment—a guitarist lost in a solo, a crowd swaying shoulder to shoulder, a couple laughing under neon light. It’s not polished or posed. It’s real, unfiltered, and dripping with atmosphere. You can almost smell the beer and feel the bass in your chest.
Chay’s work doesn’t just capture the action—it captures the soul of The Dive. The grit. The mystery. The late-night magic that keeps locals and wanderers alike coming back week after week.
In a place like St. Andrews, where art and authenticity run deep, Chay’s photography helps Keep St. Andrews Salty. His images remind us that this isn’t just another bar scene—it’s a living, breathing piece of our waterfront culture.
So next time you see him working through the crowd, give him a nod. He’s not just taking pictures. He’s documenting the spirit of a community that refuses to lose its edge.
Want to see Chay’s work for yourself? Click below to explore his stunning photography from The Dive—where his dark, moody style turns every shot into a story and every night into art. His images capture the raw energy and salty soul that make St. Andrews unforgettable.
