Doug Allan

The award-winning documentary film-maker and photographer on shooting in extreme cold

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One of the headline speakers at The Photography Show Virtual Festival in September, Doug Allan talked about how he made the break as a wildlife photographer; how he transitioned from stills to movies; the equipment he selects for assignments; and how he overcomes the extreme conditions he faces while in the field. For any Digital Camera readers who may have missed Doug’s talk, we’re delighted to present some highlights from the 40-minute interview.

How did you make the move from being a diver to a photographer?

I was 24 when I first went to Signy Research Station, and I’d describe the eight years down south that followed as my formative years. In the summer at Signy, there would be 20 to 25 people on the base, but in the winter, when the ships went north and the sea ice formed, it would only be about 15.

As a diver, I was one of the support staff; my job was to make sure that the marine biologists dived safely and efficiently. For me at that time in my life, it was near perfect. I learned a lot about cold-water diving, as well as how to manage in the cold topside. l learned my own limits; the difference between feeling chilly, approaching hypothermia, and being frostbitten. It gave me a feeling for snow and ice that I took on into my filming career.