Norbert Wu
Aliases: Norb, norbertwu Role: Underwater photographer, cinematographer, author, filmmaker First appearance: 2004 ([1]) Affiliation: Norbert Wu Productions (independent) Website: norbertwu.com
Biography
Norbert Wu is an independent photographer and filmmaker specializing in marine and wildlife subjects. He is the author of 17 books on wildlife and photography and has received three National Science Foundation Artists and Writers Grants for work in Antarctica (1997, 1999, 2000). In recognition of his Antarctic fieldwork, he received the Antarctica Service Medal of the United States in 2000. He is one of only two photographers ever to receive a Pew Marine Conservation Fellowship, and in 2004 was named NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association) “Outstanding Photographer of the Year.”
Wu pioneered high-definition underwater filmmaking in Antarctica, producing an HDTV program for PBS Nature / Thirteen/WNET — one of the earliest HD nature documentaries shot underwater. His great white shark photograph was selected for the 2017 USPS Sharks Forever Stamps, appearing on a US postage stamp ([2]).
A long-time Nikon shooter (20+ years), Wu used the Nikon D100 and D200 for his underwater still photography and authored a comprehensive comparison of three D200 housings (Ikelite, Sea & Sea, and Light & Motion) for Wetpixel in 2007 ([3]).
Wu contributed a notable comment on Howard Hall’s satirical 2014 essay “Tagging, a celebration of science,” praising the piece and urging readers to “read through the entire article to the end” to catch Hall’s ironic statements about animal pain — a comment that reflected the deep mutual respect between the two veteran filmmakers. (article comments)
Wu has a deep friendship with Eric Cheng, who refers to him as “Norb.” Together they co-led multiple Wetpixel expeditions and collaborated on content for the site over many years.
Contributions
- Antarctic underwater cinematography pioneer; produced one of the first HDTV nature documentaries shot underwater
- Author of 17 books on wildlife and photography
- Co-led Wetpixel expeditions: Guadalupe great white sharks (2006), Fak-Fak to Sorong/Raja Ampat (2007), Alaska on Nautilus Explorer (2007)
- Wrote comprehensive Nikon D200 housing comparison (Ikelite vs Sea & Sea vs Light & Motion) for Wetpixel
- Contributor to Wetpixel Quarterly (WPQ); prints offered for sale through WPQ
- Authored “Norbert Wu’s Favorite Images” column series on Wetpixel (2015–2016, 8 installments)
- Reviewed fins for underwater photographers (2014, 2016)
- Regular presenter at Monterey Shootout, Boston Sea Rovers, DEMA, and SEASPACE
Timeline
- 2004-07: Presenter at Monterey Shootout 2004 (10th annual, 150+ photographers) ([4])
- 2004-08: Speaker at NCUPS meeting on Antarctic underwater cinematography ([5])
- 2005-03: Presenter at Boston Sea Rovers 51st Clinic ([6])
- 2005-06: Featured speaker at SEASPACE 2005 in Houston ([7], [8])
- 2005-06: Announced as co-leader (with Eric Cheng) of Wetpixel Guadalupe great white shark expedition 2006 aboard Solmar V ([9])
- 2006-11: Fak-Fak to Sorong / Raja Ampat expedition announced with Eric Cheng ([10])
- 2007-02: Alaska expedition on Nautilus Explorer announced with Eric Cheng ([11])
- 2007-09: Publishes comprehensive Nikon D200 housing comparison (Ikelite, Sea & Sea, Light & Motion) on Wetpixel ([12])
- 2012-05: Publishes article on oceanic whitetip sharks at Cat Island, Bahamas ([13])
- 2015-04: Launches “Norbert Wu’s Favorite Images” column on Wetpixel, beginning with fluorescence photography ([14])
- 2017-06: Great white shark image appears on USPS Sharks Forever Stamps ([15])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Jul 17, 2004: Monterey Shootout 2004 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 26, 2017: Usps Announces Sharks Forever Stamps ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 30, 2007: Norbert Wu Reviews Nikon D200 Housings ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 17, 2004: Monterey Shootout 2004 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 16, 2004: Norbert Wu To Speak At Sept Ncups Meeting ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 17, 2005: Boston Sea Rovers 51st Clinic 2005 ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 11, 2005: Seaspace 2005 June 4 5 2005 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 10, 2005: Seaspace 2005 Report ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 7, 2005: Wetpixel Great White Shark Expedition 2006 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 30, 2006: Fak Fak To Sorong Expedition With Eric Cheng And Norbert Wu ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2007: Join Norbert Wu And Eric Cheng In Alaska June 2007 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 30, 2007: Norbert Wu Reviews Nikon D200 Housings ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 31, 2012: Norbert Wu On Oceanic Whitetip Sharks ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 30, 2015: Norbert Wus Favorite Images Fluorescence ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 26, 2017: Usps Announces Sharks Forever Stamps ↩
- Monterey Shootout 2004 (article) ↩
- Norbert Wu to Speak at Sept NCUPS Meeting (article) ↩
- Boston Sea Rovers 51st Clinic 2005 (article) ↩
- SEASPACE 2005 Announcement (article) ↩
- SEASPACE 2005 Report (article) ↩
- Wetpixel Great White Shark Expedition 2006 (article) ↩
- Fak-Fak to Sorong Expedition (article) ↩
- Alaska Expedition 2007 (article) ↩
- Nikon D200 Housing Review (article) ↩
- Oceanic Whitetip Sharks at Cat Island (article) ↩
- Norbert Wu’s Favorite Images: Fluorescence (article) ↩
- USPS Sharks Forever Stamps (article) ↩