Some (very overdue) credit for the BBC's nature documentary camera crew

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Hi,
I was watching Frozen Planet last night (the one from Wednesday) and the shots these guys have been getting are literally mind-blowing. I’ve only just got into photography, and it’s made me realise just how skilled these cameramen are. Film is obviously very different to photography, but a lot of the fundamentals must be the same.

One thing I’ve really noticed with this Frozen Planet series is they have got the time lapse stuff absolutely nailed. There was a section last night where they had filmed this “brinicle” (you’ll have to google it, I will never be able to explain it) in time lapse and it blew us all away. The work involved is almost incomprehensible.

The thing is, not only are these guys incredibly skilled cameramen (probably some of the best in the country), but they must also be trained in extreme survival because there’s no way your average person could survive for 10 weeks in -40 degrees, going out in it every day working. On top of this they must be capable of scuba diving to a professional level (in Antarctic waters!!), be absolutely fit as hell, have a full understanding of the animals they’re filming and their behaviors, probably a little bit mental (in all seriousness I’d say the opposite - they’d have to be particularly level-headed and grounded, so as to not lose their marbles being so isolated for so long!), and lets not forget their skills with the camera!

They do a short 5-10min clip at the end of every episode showing these guys at work, it’s awesome to watch and they clearly love their job. To be honest who wouldn’t??? Everything they have produced has been and probably will always be top-notch, the standard never even dips. I think these guys are the real stars of the show, and they deserve a tremendous amount of credit for their work.
 
If you like the programme, then you will also like their photos.
One of the team has an exhibition running at the RUH in Bath till the end of Nov.
http://www.sueflood.com/
The exhibition is sponsored by Canon and is pretty darned amazing!
I hope it travels to other parts on the UK so others can see it for themselves.
Highly recommended by me and others who have seen it - especially as it is running concurrently with the RPS International Print Exhibition.
 
I've got to second everything Leon has said, the photgraphy in this current series is in my mind the best ever. No doubt new technology has helped, but that doesnt take away any of the amazing skills and endurance these people have.
David Attenborough is an excellent presenter who has imense knowledge and experience, and I have every respect for him he has given us some wonderful programs over the years. He no longer goes out on these expeditions, and who can blame him at his age, so for all his skills, he is now dependant on the guys at the front line producing the footage needed to make these programs.
I think its good to have the last 10 minutes devoted to the making of the program to that we can be made aware of the work under extreme conditions that these people endure, and to give them credit.
 
Couldn't agree more Leon

There's a 'Frozen Planet' thread on this forum and unsurprisingly a lot of folk have praised the show and the BBC for what we've been served up each week.

I'd like to think that most of us on TP have at least some understanding of just how special the footage is but more so - I'd like to think that the last part of each episode gives people at home (with no concept of photography, film or the outdoors) a real appreciation of the fantastic skill and effort these folks have in bringing this world into their living rooms.
 
It's amazing im so jealous of what they can/do produce. I'm hoping one day I will be one of them. mixing my love of nature, conservation, and photography/filmography all into one ball of awesomeness!
 
Haven't watched the winter one yet but the best so far was the behind the scenes with the penguins think it was episode 2 where it was just the two guys in a cabin for I think 10 weeks through some really rough weather.

I'd give anything to be able to tag along even for a week.
 
daza said:
Haven't watched the winter one yet but the best so far was the behind the scenes with the penguins think it was episode 2 where it was just the two guys in a cabin for I think 10 weeks through some really rough weather.

I'd give anything to be able to tag along even for a week.
Click to expand...

The Winter one (in terms of the wildlife) was on another level.

The single Wolf V Bison footage was powerful and moving. My kids watched it and I realised (from their faces and the conversation since) that they were watching a 'moment' they will remember much like I remember Sir David Attenborough and the Gorillas.

In addition - the story of the hardship that the Penguins endure (esp the blokes) plus the brinicles was amazing.
 
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I've been recording this, just not got time to watch it yet. Hope it's as good as Human Planet. The lengths of which those guys go to get a shot - they're crazy.
 
Cheers for all the responses guys. Yeah it has been a pretty incredible series. Last one tonight I think, misery. I would give anything to tag along with these guys too. I mean what a job!

The winter one was the best IMO, with that wolf and bison epic struggle. There's something about watching the incredible power of nature at its most brutal which fills me with awe. It really puts my trivial daily worries and problems into perspective. What blew me away was in the 10 minute making-of they said this ordeal went on for hours. Hours! There was a real moment with the guy who filmed it where he was talking about being torn between wanting it to stop, realising it's a normal part of life, and needing to keep filming to capture the amazing event.

It reminded me of one equally powerful episode of life or maybe planet earth where they were following a water buffalo and the Komodo dragons which had fatally bitten it on the ankle, infecting its blood with their venomous saliva. For days these Komodo dragons followed this buffalo while it slowly succumbed, waiting for it to die, since attempting to take it down in a fight was not worth the risk. The camera crew were there the whole time, filming this massively cruel but also spectacular event. One of the crew got a bit emotional because he could sense that the buffalo was associating them with the pain and death. They kept filming of course and captured the thing in its entirety. It's work like this, as well as this frozen planet working in ridiculous conditions, which I find awesome. I'm jealous of these guys for their jobs, but also can thank them enough for bringing this world into my living room.
 
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