Chuck Nicklin
Role: Pioneer underwater photographer and cinematographer Active: 1950s–2022 Affiliation: Diving Locker (San Diego); San Diego Underwater Photographic Society (founder)
Biography
Chuck Nicklin was a legendary San Diego-based underwater photographer and cinematographer whose career spanned seven decades. He was one of the most technically accomplished underwater cinematographers of his era, contributing to major Hollywood films and establishing institutions that shaped San Diego’s dive community.
Nicklin died on December 8, 2022. ([1])
Contributions
- Hollywood filmmaking: Shot underwater sequences for major films including James Bond films, The Abyss (1989), and The Deep (1977). His work brought underwater cinematography into mainstream Hollywood productions.
- Diving Locker: Founded and operated the Diving Locker dive shop in San Diego — a longtime institution and gathering place for the Southern California diving community.
- San Diego Underwater Photographic Society: Founded the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society (SDUPS), one of the oldest and most active underwater photography clubs in the United States.
- Community building: Through the Diving Locker and SDUPS, mentored generations of underwater photographers in Southern California.
Timeline
- 1950s–1960s: Begins underwater photography and diving in Southern California; establishes career in underwater cinematography.
- 1977: Shoots underwater sequences for The Deep.
- 1989: Shoots underwater sequences for The Abyss (James Cameron).
- Various: Shoots underwater sequences for James Bond film productions.
- 2022-12-08: Died December 8, 2022. ([2])
References
- [3] — editorial