Chuck Nicklin

Aliases: uwchuck (Wetpixel forum username)
Role: Pioneer underwater photographer, cinematographer, dive shop owner, community organizer
Active: 1950s–2022
Born: Massachusetts; raised in California from the early 1940s
Died: December 8, 2022
Affiliation: The Diving Locker (San Diego, founder/owner); San Diego Underwater Photographic Society (co-founder); San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition (SDUFEX, co-founder/organizer)
Wife: Roz Nicklin

Biography

Chuck Nicklin was a legendary San Diego-based underwater photographer and cinematographer whose career spanned seven decades. He grew up in Massachusetts and moved to California with his family in the early 1940s, where he immersed himself in the emerging sports of freediving and scuba diving. He became an expert spearfisherman before transitioning to underwater photography. ([1])

Nicklin’s career in underwater imaging encompassed both still photography and motion picture cinematography. His photographs appeared in National Geographic, and he worked as a cinematographer on major Hollywood productions including The Deep (1977), Never Say Never Again (1983), and The Abyss (1989). He was described by Adam Hanlon as “a pioneer diver, photographer, and cinematographer” and recognized alongside legends like Stan Waterman, Al Giddings, and Howard Hall. ([2])

His career was profiled as a chapter in Bret Gilliam’s book Diving Pioneers and Innovators (2007), which placed Nicklin alongside figures like Stan Waterman, Bev Morgan, Ron and Valerie Taylor, Peter Benchley, Bob Ballard, and Greg MacGillivray — divers “whose careers span nearly the entire history of scuba diving.” ([3])

In 2015, Nicklin published his autobiography, Camera Man: Stories of my Life and Adventures as an Underwater Filmmaker, which was formally released at the DEMA Show on November 4, 2015. The book chronicled his career working alongside some of the most famous names in underwater imaging. Signed collector’s edition hardcovers and softcover versions were available directly from Nicklin and his wife Roz. ([4])

Chuck Nicklin died peacefully in his sleep on December 8, 2022. His passing was announced by Adam Hanlon on Wetpixel, where he was mourned as “another of the great image making pioneers.” ([5])

The Diving Locker

Nicklin founded and operated The Diving Locker, a dive shop in San Diego that became a longtime institution and gathering place for the Southern California diving community. The shop served as a hub for divers, filmmakers, and photographers. It was at The Diving Locker that the group who would eventually create the San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition first gathered to share information about shooting and editing underwater video. ([6])

Marty Snyderman, the well-known underwater photographer and author, worked at The Diving Locker early in his career. Snyderman’s eulogy for Nicklin recalled how Chuck loaned him his housed Nikon F2 camera for an afternoon at San Clemente Island when Snyderman was first learning underwater photography. Snyderman also recounted how Nicklin personally drove to his apartment to invite him to a social gathering — making sure the newest member of his staff was included. ([7])

Wetpixel commenter ou1954 also recalled diving with Nicklin and described him as “a significant factor in the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society.” ([8])

San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition (SDUFEX)

Nicklin was a co-founder and longtime organizer of the San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition (SDUFEX, also sometimes called UFEX). The first exhibition was held in 2000, organized by a small group who had been meeting at Chuck Nicklin’s dive shop to share information on shooting and editing underwater video. ([9])

Over more than two decades, SDUFEX grew into one of the most prestigious underwater film festivals worldwide, featuring short underwater films (originally limited to 5 minutes) selected by independent judges, with no entry fees and no prizes except the distinction of being selected. The festival was held at Qualcomm Hall in San Diego with sell-out crowds of over 900 across two nights. ([10])

Nicklin served on the organizing committee continuously. He was listed as a committee member and media contact for the 2008 (9th annual) exhibition alongside Mary Lynn Price, Karen Straus, Ken Given, Eric Hanauer, Mick Hutchins, Gene Lafferty, John Ellerbrock, Barbara Lloyd, and Bob Gladden. ([11]) He continued on the committee for the 2010 (11th annual) exhibition, joined by his wife Roz Nicklin. ([12])

Nicklin’s son, Flip Nicklin — a renowned National Geographic whale photographer — was also connected to SDUFEX, serving as a judge for the 2012 exhibition. ([13])

By 2023, the festival had reached its 24th year, still crediting its origin to the group that met at Chuck Nicklin’s dive shop. ([14])

Judging and Community Engagement

Nicklin served as a judge for the 3rd Annual Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide International Photo & Video Competition (2007–2008), alongside Eric Cheng, Berkley White, Tony Wu, Ric Frazier, and Mary Lynn Price. ([15])

He was cited as an expert consultant in Chris Santella’s book Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die (2008), alongside Steve Frink, Marty Snyderman, Dan Orr, Stan Waterman, Berkley White, and Al Hornsby. ([16])

Nicklin contributed humpback whale footage for the DiveFilm Podcast Video episode “Humpback Whales of Tonga” (2006), produced by Mary Lynn Price. ([17]) His work also appeared in the DiveFilm HD Podcast Video series featured on Apple TV. ([18])

In 2007, Nicklin commented on Wetpixel under the username “uwchuck,” noting: “I started checking Wet Pixel after Mary Lynn Price started her Pod Casts. I have not shot pro stills for many years as cinematography (videography) became my career. I am continually amazed at the imagination of the photos I see through Wet Pixel.” ([19])

Forum members recognized Nicklin as one of their favorite underwater videographers alongside Howard Hall and Stan Waterman. ([20])

Whale Photography and Travel

Nicklin was an avid whale photographer who traveled internationally. In 2008, he traveled to Tonga with his wife Roz and a group of travelers to photograph humpback whales. Tony Wu, who had previously met Nicklin at Kasawari Lembeh Resort in Indonesia, encountered his group in Vava’u and noted they had “impeccable timing” with excellent conditions. ([21])

In 2007, a trip to Palau was organized to celebrate Nicklin’s 80th birthday, attended by Mary Lynn Price and other members of the underwater imaging community. ([22])

In 2009, Nicklin attended the opening reception for Eric Cheng’s underwater photography gallery exhibition in San Diego. ([23])

Legacy

Nicklin’s personal mentorship shaped generations of underwater photographers and filmmakers in Southern California. Marty Snyderman’s eulogy emphasized Nicklin’s generosity — lending equipment to beginners, inviting newcomers on blue and mako shark diving trips, and personally making sure his staff felt included. Snyderman recalled that he and Nicklin once saw a pair of orcas swim below them while diving at the Coronado Islands south of San Diego. ([24])

Forum member David Haas described watching Nicklin “embrace newer and smaller easier tools” over the years, from Nikonos to housed SLR and beyond, reflecting his willingness to adapt with evolving technology. ([25])

The institutions Nicklin founded — The Diving Locker, SDUFEX, and the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society — outlasted him and continue to serve the underwater imaging community.

Timeline

References

Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2015: Collectors Editions Of Camera Man By Chuck Nicklin Available ↩
  2. Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2022: Rip Chuck Nicklin ↩
  3. Wetpixel article, Dec 29, 2007: Review Of Bret Gilliams Diving Pioneers And Innovators ↩
  4. Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2015: Collectors Editions Of Camera Man By Chuck Nicklin Available ↩
  5. Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2022: Rip Chuck Nicklin ↩
  6. Wetpixel article, Mar 19, 2019: Call For Entries Sdufex 2019 ↩
  7. Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2022: Rip Chuck Nicklin ↩
  8. Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2022: Rip Chuck Nicklin ↩
  9. Wetpixel article, Feb 28, 2023: Sdufex Is Calling For Entries ↩
  10. Wetpixel article, Sep 3, 2008: 2008 9th Annual San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition Coverage ↩
  11. Wetpixel article, Sep 3, 2008: 2008 9th Annual San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition Coverage ↩
  12. Wetpixel article, Sep 20, 2010: Review 2010 San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition ↩
  13. Wetpixel article, Aug 29, 2012: Sdufex Publishes Its Program ↩
  14. Wetpixel article, Feb 28, 2023: Sdufex Is Calling For Entries ↩
  15. Wetpixel article, Sep 17, 2007: 3nd Annual Wetpixel Divephotoguide Photo And Video Contest ↩
  16. Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2008: Review Of Chris Santellas Fifty Place To Dive Before You Die ↩
  17. Wetpixel article, Nov 6, 2006: New Divefilm Podcast Video Humpback Whales Of Tonga By Mary Lynn Price ↩
  18. Forum thread: New Divefilm Hd Podcasts Featured ↩
  19. Wetpixel article, Dec 25, 2007: Happy Holidays And Good Shooting ↩
  20. Forum thread: Favorite Uw Videographer ↩
  21. Wetpixel article, Sep 4, 2008: Tony Wu Blogs From Tonga Week Four With Humpbacks ↩
  22. Forum thread: Can We Show This Kinda Stuff ↩
  23. Forum thread: Exhibition Eric Chengs Underwater Photography Julaug 2009 ↩
  24. Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2022: Rip Chuck Nicklin ↩
  25. Forum thread: Divevolk Seatouch 4 Housing For Iphone ↩
  26. Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2015: Collectors Editions Of Camera Man By Chuck Nicklin Available ↩
  27. Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2015: Collectors Editions Of Camera Man By Chuck Nicklin Available ↩
  28. Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2022: Rip Chuck Nicklin ↩
  29. Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2015: Collectors Editions Of Camera Man By Chuck Nicklin Available ↩
  30. Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2022: Rip Chuck Nicklin ↩
  31. Wetpixel article, Mar 19, 2019: Call For Entries Sdufex 2019 ↩
  32. Wetpixel article, Nov 6, 2006: New Divefilm Podcast Video Humpback Whales Of Tonga By Mary Lynn Price ↩
  33. Forum thread: New Divefilm Hd Podcasts Featured ↩
  34. Wetpixel article, Sep 17, 2007: 3nd Annual Wetpixel Divephotoguide Photo And Video Contest ↩
  35. Forum thread: Can We Show This Kinda Stuff ↩
  36. Wetpixel article, Dec 29, 2007: Review Of Bret Gilliams Diving Pioneers And Innovators ↩
  37. Wetpixel article, Sep 3, 2008: 2008 9th Annual San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition Coverage ↩
  38. Wetpixel article, Sep 4, 2008: Tony Wu Blogs From Tonga Week Four With Humpbacks ↩
  39. Forum thread: Exhibition Eric Chengs Underwater Photography Julaug 2009 ↩
  40. Wetpixel article, Sep 20, 2010: Review 2010 San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition ↩
  41. Forum thread: Canon Hf G 10 ↩
  42. Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2015: Collectors Editions Of Camera Man By Chuck Nicklin Available ↩
  43. Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2022: Rip Chuck Nicklin ↩
  44. RIP Chuck Nicklin (article) ↩
  45. Collectors editions of Camera Man by Chuck Nicklin available (article) ↩
  46. Review of Bret Gilliam’s “Diving Pioneers and Innovators” (article) ↩
  47. 3rd Annual Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide Photo and Video Contest (article) ↩
  48. 2008 9th annual San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition coverage (article) ↩
  49. 2010 San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition (article) ↩
  50. San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition 2008 (article) ↩
  51. Call for entries: SDUFEX 2019 (article) ↩
  52. SDUFEX is Calling for Entries (2023) (article) ↩
  53. “Humpback Whales of Tonga” by Mary Lynn Price (article) ↩
  54. Tony Wu blogs from Tonga: Week Four with Humpbacks (article) ↩
  55. Review of Chris Santella’s “Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die” (article) ↩
  56. Happy holidays, and good shooting (2007) (article) ↩
  57. Favorite UW videographer? (forum) ↩
  58. 9th San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition was a Blast! (forum) ↩
  59. Can we show this kinda stuff (forum) ↩
  60. Exhibition: Eric Cheng’s Underwater Photography (Jul/Aug 2009) (forum) ↩
  61. New DiveFilm HD Podcasts featured (forum) ↩
  62. Canon HF G 10 (forum) ↩
  63. DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 housing for iPhone (forum) ↩