Brian Skerry

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image

Brian Skerry is an American photojournalist and film producer specializing in marine life and ocean environments. Since 1998 he has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine with more than 30 stories to his credit, including seven covers. In 2021 Skerry won a Primetime Emmy Award for his role as producer in the miniseries, Secrets of the Whales.

Early life and education

Skerry was born in Milford, Massachusetts in 1961, and grew up in Uxbridge.[1] Skerry began SCUBA diving in 1977, at 15 years old and received his first SCUBA certification in 1978. He has stated that he was drawn to the water from a very young age and was always fascinated by ocean documentaries, along with the movies Jaws (1975) and The Deep (1977)[2]

After studying at Quinsigamond Community College, where he earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts,[3] he went on to Worcester State College earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Media in 1984.[4]

Career

Skerry worked on a diving charter boat based on the coast of Rhode Island from 1982–1992, taking divers out to explore New England shipwrecks.[5] His early photography focused on marine life and shipwrecks. His first published photograph was in 1984 in The Boston Globe newspaper, an image of a shipwreck in Boston Harbor.[6] During the 1990s he published photos and wrote stories for a variety of scuba diving magazines.[7] His first book was published in 1995, Complete Wreck Diving, with co-author Henry Keatts.[8] In 1996 he was the first to photograph a living Oarfish, an animal that inspired sea serpent legends.[9] In 2015 Skerry was named a Nikon Ambassador (United States).[10]

National Geographic

In 1998 Skerry received his first assignment for National Geographic. In a 2021 article in The Maine Magazine, Skerry recalls Bill Curtsinger, one of the first underwater photographers, turning down a National Geographic magazine photo shoot of the 1717 pirate shipwreck Whydah Gally, buried in the sand off Cape Cod. Curtsinger turned down the job due to a scheduling conflict but put in a good word for Skerry, who in turn, took the story assignment.[11] Skerry had his photos published in the May 1999 edition of National Geographic.[12]

Skerry has been credited with more than 30 stories for National Geographic,[13] including seven on the front cover of the magazine.a The subjects of his stories have included species such as harp seals,[14] squid,[15] right whales,[16] Leatherback sea turtles,[17] bluefin tuna,[18] dolphins[19] and coral reefs.[20] Other stories have featured locations such as the Southern Line Islands,[21] Ireland,[22] Marine reserves of New Zealand,[23] the Phoenix Islands,[24] Japan,[25] the Mesoamerican Reef,[26] and in his home state, the Gulf of Maine.[11]

In 2016 National Geographic published three consecutive stories photographed by Skerry about sharks.[27][28][29] While on assignment for National Geographic on September 1, 2016, he photographed U.S. President Barack Obama snorkeling in the waters off Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, which lies within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.[30] It was the first photograph ever taken of a President of the United States underwater.[31]

Secrets of the Whales

File:Killerwhales jumping.jpg
Orca, a whale featured in the miniseries co-produced by Skerry, Secrets of the Whales.

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

Secrets of the Whales was a multi-platform project Skerry created for National Geographic in 2017 about the science of whale culture. He credits the work of Canadian whale biologist Shane Gero as his inspiration for this project.[32] Skerry proposed the project to National Geographic magazine, National Geographic Television and National Geographic Books and each division approved their respective project.[33]

The cover story in National Geographic magazine appeared in the May 2021 issue, written by Craig Welch and photographed by Skerry.[34] A book was published in April 2021 by National Geographic Books with the same name, written and photographed by Skerry.[35] The four part miniseries, executive produced by James Cameron and narrated by Sigourney Weaver, premiered April 22, 2021, on Disney+. Skerry produced and starred in the miniseries, as well as providing underwater cinematography.[36]

The documentary series was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. On September 19, 2021 the miniseries was a winner in the category Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series which was awarded to Skerry and the producers of the show.[37] The film was also nominated for two awards from the Online Film & Television Association for best narration and Best Cinematography in a Variety, Sketch, Nonfiction, or Reality Program.[38] At the Jackson Wild 2021 Media Awards Secrets of the Whales was awarded Winner: Limited Series[39] and at the 2021 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital, Skerry was awarded the Shared Earth Foundation Award for Advocacy.[40]

PBS

Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine is a 3-Part, PBS NOVA special, documentary television series produced by Brian Skerry, Chun-Wei Yi and Stella Cha that debuted in July 2024.

Focused on the Gulf of Maine, the Gulf of Maine is a 36,000 square mile body of water stretching from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Nova Scotia, Canada that is warming 97% faster than the rest of the global ocean.

Sea Change blends science, exploration, stunning natural history, and stories of human experience, to illuminate how what happens here could have profound global implications. Viewers will encounter the spectacular wilderness and wildlife that still teems in these waters. The series also documents the range of people including scientists, Native Americans, fishers, and entrepreneurs working to reveal the Gulf’s complex history and helping to understand what role the ocean plays in all of our lives. It is a regional story with global implications.

Conservation

In 2012 Skerry partnered with the Conservation Law Foundation in Boston to create The New England Ocean Odyssey.[41]

Skerry lectures on issues of visual storytelling and ocean conservation and exploration, having presented at venues including The United Nations General Assembly,[42] The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, TED Talks, The National Press Club in Washington, DC, The Royal Geographical Society in London and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.[42] He's been a guest on several television programs including CBS This Morning,[43] Nightline,[44] Anderson Cooper Full Circle[45] and is a frequent guest on radio shows and podcasts.[46]

Skerry is a Founding Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers,[47] and the Explorer-In-Residence at the New England Aquarium.[48]

Awards and recognition

<templatestyles src="Stack/styles.css"/>

<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />

At the end of five hours in the cold water... I had this one chance and one frame and that one instant. I was ready. It came down to one second. That is the beauty of photography. It's a moment in time and it vanishes like a ghost but if you have a photo, you have it forever.

— Template:Comma separated entries

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Secrets of the Whales

Awards for the miniseries, Secrets of the Whales for which Skerry was a Producer.

Exhibitions

Bibliography

National Geographic cover stories

Skerry has seven published photographs on the cover of National Geographic.a

Template:Sronly
# Title Year About Location <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />RefScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Harp Seals
2004
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Harp seals File:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
[14]
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		The Global Fish Crisis: Still Waters
2007
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Commercial, Industrial overfishing [[File:Template:Ambox globe|16px]] Global
[68]
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
3
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		The Global Fish Crisis: Blue Haven
2007
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Marine reserves of New Zealand File:Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
[23]
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
4
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		It's Time for a Conversation
2015
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Dolphin cognition [[File:Template:Ambox globe|16px]] Global
[19]
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
5
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Saving the Seas
2017
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Template:Plainlist Template:Plainlist
[30]
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Secrets of the Whales
2021
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Whale culture [[File:Template:Ambox globe|16px]] Global
[34]
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
7
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		2021 The Year in Pictures
2022
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Grey seal New England
[69]
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
8
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Gulf of Maine
2024
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Gulf of Maine New England and File:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
[70]
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Books

Template:Sronly
# Title Year Author Publisher ISBN
1
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Complete Wreck Diving: A Guide to Diving Wrecks
1995
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Skerry, Brian; Keatts, Henry Aqua Quest Publications Template:Isbn
2
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		A Whale On Her Own: The True Story of Wilma the Beluga Whale
2000
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Skerry, Brian Blackbirch Press Template:Isbn
3
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Successful Underwater Photography
2002
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Skerry, Brian; Hall, Howard Amphoto Books Template:Isbn
4
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Adventure Beneath the Sea: Living in an Underwater Science Station
2010
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Template:Plainlist Boyds Mills Press Template:Isbn
5
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Face to Face With Manatees
2010
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Skerry, Brian National Geographic Books Template:Isbn
6
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Ocean Soul
2011
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Skerry, Brian National Geographic Books Template:Isbn
7
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		From Above And Below: Man And The Sea
2013
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Template:Plainlist Thames & Hudson Template:Isbn
8
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Ocean Counting
2013
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Skerry, Brian; Lawless, Janet National Geographic Books Template:Isbn
9
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		The Whale Who Won Hearts
2014
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Template:Plainlist National Geographic Books Template:Isbn
10
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Shark
2017
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Skerry, Brian National Geographic Books Template:Isbn
11
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		The Ultimate Book of Sharks
2018
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Template:Plainlist National Geographic Books Template:Isbn
12
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Secrets of the Whales
2021
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Skerry, Brian National Geographic Books Template:Isbn
13
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		The Ultimate Book of Whales
2025
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Template:Plainlist National Geographic Books Template:Isbn

Film, Television and video

Template:Sronly
Title Year Format Distributor About Role Awards
Hitler's lost sub
2000
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Streaming PBS German U-boat Videographer
Close Encounters of the Giant Kind
2009
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Streaming Nat Geo Channel Right whale Self
A Magical Day with a Right Whale
2011
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Streaming Nat Geo Channel Southern right whale Self
The Amazing Squid
2012
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Streaming Nat Geo Channel Caribbean reef squid Self
The Mermaid Myth
2012
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Streaming Nat Geo Channel Manatees Self
Brian Skerry: Ocean Soul
2012
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Streaming Nat Geo Channel Marine life Self
Why great white sharks are a mystery to scientists
2016
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		News media CBS Mornings Great white sharks Self
Bluefin
2016
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Documentary Film Board of Canada Bluefin tuna Self
Sea of Hope
2017
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Documentary Nat Geo Channel World's oceans Self
Mission Critical: Sharks Under Attack
2019
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Documentary Nat Geo Channel Sharks Self
Shark Edan
2020
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Documentary Nat Geo Channel Sharks Self
The Ocean's Glory - and Horror
2019
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Streaming TED Underwater photography Self
Brian Skerry showcases life under the sea
2021
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		News media CBS Mornings New England Aquarium Self
Secrets of the Whales
2021
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Miniseries Template:Plainlist Whales Template:Plainlist Template:Win[37]
Return of the White Shark
2023
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Documentary National Geographic channel & Disney+ Great white sharks Producer
Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine
2024
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		Television documentary PBS Nova Gulf of Maine Template:Plainlist

Notes

a.<templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^ Eight articles in seven issues. There are two articles in the same issue (April 2007).
b.<templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^ There were four versions of this issue of the magazine, each with a different photograph. Skerry's cover photo was one of these four.

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Subscription required
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  19. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  23. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required note
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  30. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  58. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  59. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  60. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  61. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  62. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  63. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  64. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  65. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  66. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  67. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  68. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required note
  69. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription requirednote
  70. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Template:National Geographic Template:Underwater diving Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Brian_Skerry&oldid=5631945"