#DougAllan - Multiple Emmy and BAFTA award-winning wildlife cameraman and photographer Doug Allan visited the Marine Institute on Wednesday (16 November) to share his remarkable insight and deep understanding of marine mammals.
Having qualified as a marine biologist, Allan now specialises in capturing spectacular footage of animals in the Arctic and Antarctic.
Spending the last 25 years bringing the most remarkable sights in the natural world into our homes, Allan has been involved in over 60 films and series such as Blue Planet, Frozen Planet and Planet Earth — the sequel to which recently began on BBC television.
To use the words of Sir David Attenborough: "Cameramen don't come more special than Doug Allan."
Allan’s awards include eight Emmys and four BAFTAs; he has twice won the underwater category in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition; and was awarded the Royal Geographical Society's Cherry Kearton Medal for his wildlife images. He has three Honorary Doctorates, as well as two Polar Medals.
His footage of orcas attacking grey whales, polar bears trying to capture beluga whales, and leopard seals snatching emperor penguins were the first of its kind. He has been a pioneer in both Arctic filming as well as research and has an extensive list of fascinating stories and insights.
Allan treated his audience at the Marine Institute to inspirational stories from his polar and underwater film-making career alongside some of his breath-taking images and photographs.
He told tales of how he survived encounters with polar bears, walruses and minus 40 degree temperatures to capture images of the planet's most majestic animals, above and below the ice.
Allan’s visit capped off a 17-date tour of the island of Ireland with his new show ‘In the Company of Giants’.
