Douglas George AllanOBE FRPS FRSGS (born 1951)[1] is a Scottish wildlifecameraman andphotographer best known for his work inpolar regions andunderwater.
Allan is one of twin brothers born inDunfermline in Scotland, the son of a photographer andphotojournalist who ran his own photography shop in the town.[1][2] As a child Allan became a keensnorkeller andunderwater diver, which inspired him to studymarine biology at theUniversity of Stirling.[3] His first job was as apearl diver with Bill Abernathy, the last pearl hunter in Scotland.[4] Allan then worked for eight years for theBritish Antarctic Survey in Antarctica as a research diver, scientist and photographer.[5]
Becoming a full time cinematographer in 1985, Allan has been a principal cameraman on manyBBC wildlife programmes, particularly concerning extreme environments, includingLife in the Freezer,Wildlife Special: Polar Bear,The Blue Planet,Planet Earth, andFrozen Planet.[6][5]
Allan has won eightEmmys including "Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming in 2002, for Blue Planet, and in 2007, for Planet Earth. He has won fourBAFTAs and in 2017 he won an outstanding contribution award at the British Academy Scotland Awards.[7][6][5] He frequently gives illustrated lectures and talks, including at the 2016 Cambridge University Expedition Society annual dinner.
In 2012, Allan was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of theRoyal Photographic Society.
He appeared onBBC Radio 4'sThe Museum of Curiosity in November 2019. His hypothetical donation to this imaginary museum was "The feeling you get when a wild animal trusts you".[8]
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