Charles "Flip" Nicklin (born 1948)[1] is anature photographer best known for his underwater photographs ofwhales.He has been called "one of the world's leading whale photographers."[2]
Nicklin's father Chuck is an underwatercinematographer.He taught Flip and his brother how toscuba dive at a young age—by age 14, he was an assistant dive instructor to his father and teaching others how to dive.[3]Nicklin's family owned adive shop nearPacific Beach, San Diego[4] called the Diving Locker.[5]
Nicklin was one of the first photographers to capture images of whales by swimming with them in the wild.[2]He has worked extensively withNational Geographic, supplying their magazines with photographs of whales.In 1976, he began working with theNational Geographic Society as a deckhand and diving assistant for underwater photographers Bates Littlehales andJonathan Blair.[5]In 1980, he submitted his first proposal for a whale story toNational Geographic, which they rejected.He has since completed at least eighteen whale-related projects on their behalf, however.[6]
Nicklin frequently photographs whales underwater viafreediving rather than scuba gear.As a freediver, he is able to reach depths of 90 ft (27 m).[3]Above the surface, he photographs them from boats, small airplanes, or helicopters.[6]He believes that his work helps promote conservation of whales by illustrating the evolving relationship that humans have with them, as well as by highlighting whale research and researchers.[2]
Nicklin has written several books about his experiences photographing whales in the wild. In 2007, he coauthoredFace to Face with Dolphins with Linda Nicklin, and in 2008, the two coauthoredFace to Face with Whales.[7][8] In 2011, acoffee table book written by Nicklin titledAmong Giants: A Life with Whales was published.[2]
In 2001, Nicklin co-founded the whale research association "Whale Trust."Other co-founders are whale researchers Jim Darling and Meagan Jones.[2]
In 2012, theNorth American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) named him "Outstanding Photographer of the Year."[6]In 2015, he was a featuredkeynote speaker at the NANPA Summit.[4]
