Norbert wu biography of william

Norbert Wu's wife doesn't adoration hearing about what can be in motion wrong when her husband goes off to work. Like honesty time he ran out stand for air feet underwater in say publicly Galapagos while trying to image a red-lipped batfish. Or given name year, when a critical irrigate became detached from his run faster than suit and frigid Antarctic bottled water began spilling in against enthrone skin. Or that time minute Borneo when, trying to icon inside a lightless cave be revealed as Turtle Tomb, he stayed so long that he useless to realize just how found he was on air. Next his flashlight batteries began be adjacent to give out.

For Norb Wu, '83, MS '85, surviving situations aspire these has become almost mundane. He is one of rectitude world's foremost underwater photographers, whose images have appeared on integrity covers of Time, Geo, Branch of knowledge World, Natural History and spend time at others. Next fall, Under Frozen Ice, a documentary Wu has been developing since , prerogative air on the PBS info Nature. It is the gain victory underwater film ever shot take delivery of Antarctica with a high-definition digital video camera.

Despite his many achievements, Wu recognizes that no singular will ever confuse him get the heroic, buffed, underwater brainstorm that Hollywood might imagine. Somewhat than standing fast at honourableness helm as the chop splashes past him, Wu, 39, gets seasick and says he hates boats. He wears a chance aid to counter the mutism brought on by years oust diving, and he'd need Coke-bottle glasses except for the strapping contacts he uses. Plus, put the lid on 5 feet 6 inches be proof against pounds, he is seriously pudgy.

Producer David Meyer, who hired him to be the director custom underwater photography for the Governmental Geographic television program Deep Flight, likens Wu to an amphibious. "I thought he was round a frog--more comfortable as in a minute as he fell over honesty side than he was argument the boat," Meyers says. Wu would probably agree that honesty less-than-flattering comparison is apt. "Every time I go to glory water, I experience something new," he says. "At 60 limit, you've got a little clothe of nitrogen narcosis. You're weightless. You're feeling great. There's downfall I like better."

Wu has antediluvian fascinated by marine life at all since he saw his be foremost Jacques Cousteau television special compact second grade. He regularly went exploring in the creeks endure his family's home in suburbanite Atlanta. As a high grammar sophomore, he signed up attach importance to an honors class in nautical biology; when it was canceled, he and a buddy went ahead and earned dive ace on their own. Wu masquerade one of his first dives in Georgia's Lake Lanier, pivot he recalls seeing "nothing nevertheless a muddy bottom, a malacopterygian and some golf balls."

He desired a career somehow involved be smitten by marine life but detoured be electrical engineering as a more safely a improved choice, while studying several hub at Hopkins Marine Station. Bachelor's and master's degrees completed, purify was named an Our Environment Underwater Scholar in The document helps promising students tour say publicly country and meet prominent pass around of the underwater world. Central through, he accepted a knowledgeable as the still photographer alongside Cousteau's Calypso during a four-month expedition off New Zealand. Wu couldn't turn down the venture to work with his celebrity, but his decision to sureness the prestigious fellowship irked finer than a few in nobility oceanographic establishment.

After Calypso, Wu hardened in San Diego, where explicit began a PhD program consign applied ocean sciences at UC's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Loosen up spent hundreds of hours photographing unusual specimens in the institute's vast collection and became pointless of an expert on deepwater life. In , nowhere obstruct his doctorate, he left Publisher, determined to make it makeover a professional photographer.

"When I fall down Norb in , he in all likelihood had no talent as uncomplicated photographer," says film director Queen Hall, the six-time Emmy-winner whose credits include Into the Deep, the first movie filmed undersea for large-screen imax 3-d. "But the difference between being a-ok professional photographer and an tyro is whether you sell your pictures, and Norbert excelled to hand that. He was selling government images before they were band good. Now he sells them a lot easier, because he's one of the most strike underwater photographers in the world."

Wu disdains the notion that competent photographers are "born" with capacity, with "an eye." "I business enterprise that over and over," sand says. "It's all baloney. In unison can do it. You crapper train the eye. I reasonable happen to work full put on ice at it."

As an illustrations columnist at National Geographic World, Susan McElhinney sees thousands of sunken images every year. She recognizes that years of experience captain study have separated Wu exotic the pack. "Most underwater photographers are good divers who bring in to have figured out accomplish something to use an underwater camera and strobe," she says. "What I enjoy about Norbert testing that his background makes him considerably more valuable. There shape a zillion and one sunken photographers, especially in California, nevertheless very few have his route, his hidden insight."

Unlike most several, who simply back-flip off precise boat, Wu must go give up extraordinary lengths just to shop for in the water. Consider integrity logistics of filming beneath picture ice in Antarctica as Wu did in , and come again this year. First, there's class hour trip from his impress in Pacific Grove, Calif., ordain Christchurch, New Zealand. (Wu doesn't like flying, either.) In Metropolis, he and his team people may have to wait by reason of long as a week at one time getting space on the support flight to Antarctica, rising routine at 3 a.m. in document seats open up. Then it's a five-hour, knee-to-knee flight salvo a crammed c down there "the ice" and the McMurdo Research Station.

After completing the compulsory survival training course ("Don't ash anything cold near your mouth"), Wu and his assistants start out scouting locations and arranging mention food, helicopter flights and enclosure in the field. He in your right mind the first underwater photographer elect for the National Science Foundation's Antarctic Artists and Writers Document, but the nsf only helps with logistics after the desires of its scientific teams suppress been met.

Finally, if the climate permits, Wu gets to lighten up out to the ice. Fulfil party will travel to primacy dive site either by whirlybird or tracked vehicle. A ormation team will have bored unadulterated hole through the 6-foot-thick jut ice, into which Wu wish descend.

Diving around the world, Wu has had any number accustomed experiences that could unnerve grandeur most seasoned divers. One stand for those came last year prep below the Antarctic ice. The distilled water temperature was degrees Fahrenheit. Saline water typically freezes at degrees.

Wu wanted to film the freezing underwater slope of a glacier. After suiting up, a key in that can take 30 obstacle 45 minutes and requires a sprinkling helpers, an assistant handed him the bulky housing containing fastidious Sony high-definition digital video camera. Then Wu lowered himself look sharp the borehole into the filmy water beneath the ice. Just about was, however, a small likely problem.

The access hole had bent drilled several hundred yards evade the glacier face, meaning ditch by the time the side swam to the location, monkey much as half their insincere might be used up. "We all knew that, but dishonour was a really cool let slip [slope]," Wu says. And unwind wanted the footage. "It's intend another dimension. Like clear mirror. A sheer wall of surprisingly that goes down from 80 feet."

One of the attractions marketplace diving in Antarctica is grandeur preternatural clarity of the h After a winter of near-total darkness, the water is wellnigh entirely free of plankton. Skilled divers rave about underwater perceptibility of or feet in character tropics. Yet visibility beneath Continent can be five times on account of great--an astonishing 1, feet be unable to find visibility.

"The filming was going well," Wu recalls of his journey to the glacier slope. "But you get caught up tackle it. I got low joy air." At feet beneath grandeur ice, slipping, sliding and straining with the pound camera homes, he inadvertently knocked the inflater hose off his dry suit.

Unlike a wet suit, in which a thin layer of tap water warmed by the body keeps the diver comfortable, a fulsome suit is supposed to enter just that, dry. Depending canon the water temperature, a loon might put on thermal nightwear, or a heavy-duty snowmobiling gear, or both. But the under one dives, the more prestige water pressure constricts the congested suit, until movement becomes categorize but impossible. Divers counteract that straitjacket effect by releasing constricted air into the suit slightly they descend.

"I hit the charge to reinflate the suit, abstruse it didn't feel right," Wu remembers. Rather than the concise air he expected, a trail of freezing water flowed livestock. "This is a dangerous site, because you can barely fall as it is," he explains. "Your clothes get sodden, wallet that adds weight." Hundreds neat as a new pin yards from the borehole ground low on air, Wu true he was beginning to ebb. He felt the first feeling of panic.

Peter Brueggeman, who dived with Wu in Antarctica expansion and , knows that alarm is what often kills divers--no matter how experienced they haw be. He oversees one embodiment the world's largest marine collections as library director at rank Scripps Institution and is ourselves an accomplished diver and photographer.

"I've had situations where I was unnerved," Brueggeman says. "I didn't think I was going dispense die, but then the wick movie starts playing in your head. You've seen Jaws. Command start worrying about sharks mosey aren't there. Diving is shrink about being in control be unable to find your thoughts and responding accordingly."

Wu, recalling his own narrow free from Turtle Tomb in Kalimantan where he nearly exhausted her highness air, says, "I could palpation panic coming over me. Sparkling could easily overwhelm you. You're going, 'Oh s***, what neat as a pin stupid way to die. Oh s***, I can't believe I'm going to die.' And boss about start breathing faster," using branch of learning what little air may do an impression of left.

Beneath the ice in Continent, Wu slashed his finger perimeter his throat, the universal advise for "low on air." Prohibited tossed the camera in excellence direction of Dale Stokes, acquaintance of his team members, president made for the hole. Approvingly, Stokes, a Scripps project mortal , caught the $, camera package before it sank do away with of reach. And Wu, carrying great weight marginally buoyant but getting more and more soggy, made it to depiction hole just as his gas ran out.

Director Howard Hall has seen some of the dissociate Wu intends to use blot Under Antarctic Ice. The limpidity of the water, the exclusive sealife, Wu's aesthetics and blue blood the gentry incredible resolution of the camera make Hall believe that probity film will be nominated ardently desire one, if not both, motionless the prestigious awards given relate to natural history filmmakers each era at festivals in Jackson Inlet, Wyo., and Bristol, England.

Of dignity hundreds of thousands of dosh Norbert Wu has invested hassle his business, camera buffs force be most impressed by high-definition camera, the absolute fashionable in digital filmmaking. But joyfulness most people, no piece quite a few equipment is more impressive--and extra emblematic of the risks Wu takes--than his "shark suit."

Wu wears the $10, custom-made chain-mail operation, fabricated from countless tiny stainless-steel ringlets, only when he knows he'll be photographing in representation company of sharks. The disconcert is, the suit weighs 20 pounds and Wu must put on it under his bc, corrupt buoyancy compensator, the inflatable products that helps control his slightest underwater. Should a shark come to pass to bite through the bc, Wu and his suit would head straight for the rear end. And against large sharks, high-mindedness tigers and great whites, rendering suit offers no protection guarantee all. The great ocean predators are "the size of clever minivan," Wu says, and would "simply grab you and decline away." Suit or no suit.

Although he claims it's another story that all natural history photographers are real-world Indiana Joneses, Wu has a larger- than-life designation. Like many highly regarded photographers, he is known not one and only for his underwater images on the other hand also for his topside personality.

"One thing that characterizes a set of photographers is inflated egos," says National Geographic World's McElhinney. "Norbert is not deficient always that category." Underwater photographer Marty Snyderman has a different vista of his friend--although he admits that Wu was "a audacious, cocky little #*%! at give someone a ring time." Says Snyderman: "You petition Norb what he's doing, become peaceful he says, 'Not much.' Thus you ask him what he's done lately, and your prate drops." And according to Entry, "he's one of the chief self-deprecating individuals I know. Recognized likes to make fun ad infinitum himself, and that's part bring into play what's charming about him."

Sometimes spectacular act seems the only thing everyday who have worked with him agree upon is that Wu is the James Brown deduction his profession--the hardest working squire in underwater photography. "The advertise thing that everybody comments utterly is that he's a worker," Guy Guthridge says. As interpretation manager of Antarctic information nurture the Office of Polar Programs, Guthridge has been overseeing Wu's work. "This guy's in nobleness water two and three earlier a day. In water although cold as it gets response this world, he's just summing up there, being there, seeing things.

"He's doing this in a fanciful way," Guthridge adds. "He's snivel only got the pictures, he's got the website (). He's got the high-definition film. Near are scenes there I've not in any way seen before. Our scientists interrupt delighted. He's doing things they cannot do. We're getting unembellished lot out of it, trip I think the nation interest getting a lot out bin. We're going to see dignity underwater life of McMurdo Articulation in a way we've not under any condition seen."

Part of Wu's success be handys from his endurance. "He has an ability to stay inspect the frigid waters far person than we normal humans see comfortable," says Rob Robbins, accurate diving coordinator for the U.S. Antarctic Project. "It impresses upper that Norb and Dr. Glen Stokes will make multiple minute-plus dives in shallow water keep a Weddell seal colony be familiar with get that perfect shot. Go to regularly people want out in 30 minutes. Most are exceptionally querulous after an hour in righteousness water. I've seen Norb wrong his neck due to peril to subfreezing water. I'm besides old to keep up bend him."

Despite being away from spiteful as much as six months each year, Wu sometimes on purpose projects a persona of stilted diffidence bordering on laziness. Hutch a Christmas letter to callers, he claims to have prostrate most of eating junk feed, watching television and telling actually he could have done what his fellow underwater photographers were doing--if only he could liveliness someone to hire him. Recognized named his production company Means Yung--that's Chinese for "worthless." Spouse Deanna, '83, quips that take five husband's prolonged absences -- textile which she stays busy by reason of a dentist--are "the secret hitch our marriage."

At some point, everybody who has worked with Wu has probably experienced his meagre sense of humor or beholdered his temper, frequently characterized bring in volcanic. Leighton Taylor, a antecedent deputy director of the Calif. Academy of Science, traveled look at Wu to Antarctica in One-time planning a dive, Wu became profanely furious with Taylor, potentially jeopardizing a collaboration that has produced seven books, with duo more in the works. Punters who know Wu well make light of his occasional fury comes use up the incredibly high expectations agreed sets for himself and one and all else. "It works," Taylor says of Wu's outbursts. "The insult does it once, and you're watching your behavior after that."

Being on the receiving end get into Wu's sharp tongue hasn't reduced Taylor's regard for Wu's ditch. "Norbert's stock library is charmingly complete," he says. "His flick and aesthetic qualities are perplexing. The value of what Norbert does is worth enough get at me that if someone voiced articulate that the only way proceed can get these pictures assignment for me to go anew, I'd go again."

Wu admits delay his temper "is probably figure out of my biggest faults," albeit he claims, and Deanna concurs, that it erupts less generally and with less force these days.

To get some of authority astounding footage, like the record of brittle stars moving opposite the ocean floor with birth antics of the enchanted broomsticks in Fantasia, Wu deploys techniques rarely used before. In depart from to the electric cables arm lights required in low-light situations, he has placed cameras polish off underwater tripods and utilized hold your horses exposures that allow wide-angle shots in the relative darkness underground the ice. For his break off photography, he and his plagiarize sometimes go below with importation many as seven cameras. (Reloading or changing focal lengths undersea is not a simple concern of popping in another raze to the ground of film or snapping go on a different lens. Multiple cameras help avoid trips back inherit the surface.)

Wu doesn't know true how many pictures he's entranced in his career. He estimates that his library includes finer than , images. He calibre a good part of tiara success to his ability achieve build and maintain huge databases of all his shots, practice and sales. The two-bedroom studio he and Deanna once callinged home has been given shield entirely to his production partnership. (The couple and their couple arthritic dogs live in on the subject of neat-as-a-pin home on a half-acre lot a few blocks away.) With his new hi-def camera, Wu hopes to build let down equally impressive library of tape footage.

Perhaps more incredible than excellence size of his stock examination is the fact that habitual represents only those photos pacify thought worthy of keeping. Assiduousness the 36, or so angels he shoots every year, Wu expects to sell only 1 percent. On a trip restrict the Great Barrier Reef wealthy , he shot more mystify rolls of film but add-on just 20 images to ruler portfolio.

Last year, Wu was styled a Pew Fellow in Maritime Conservation, the first underwater artist so honored since the program's inception in He plans loom use the $,, three-year honour to document marine conservation efforts around the world, from rose reefs to fisheries to consequence spots like the Galapagos, whither "we've got this treasure that's under siege from fishermen in the vicinity of from the mainland."

In the in effect 25 years Wu has archaic diving, he's personally witnessed out degree of degradation of populations and habitats that once power have been thought impossible. Majority ago he was able address photograph dozens of to add blue sharks swimming together get rid of San Diego. Now, he says, he's lucky to find well-organized couple: the booming economy has put shark's fin soup centre reach of more people outweigh ever before. A first-generation Chinese-American, Wu won't touch the part. "I've never liked the drop, or the waste, that close-fisted from the demand for shark's fin soup."

Nor will he unexpected result Chilean sea bass or scombroid, knowing that today's fishing techniques endanger their populations. "Fishermen hold going deeper and deeper. Probity technology is so advanced put off when they hit a workplace, it's just not going stop at come back. The white earshell may [soon] be classified significance extinct," Wu says. "Think recognize the value of the vastness of the the deep. It's incredible." Part of realm biggest challenge as a Capital fellow is to find dexterous way to effectively document nautical systems that no longer surface as they once did.

Wu's impartiality on conservation issues can coal unwelcome ripple effects within interpretation oceanographic community. Recently, he's antediluvian disturbed by what he considers unreasonable and unscientific efforts desert have stopped the establishment search out new marine conservation areas boil Monterey Bay. On the in the opposite direction side of what has antiquated a very heated, occasionally revolting debate, the Monterey Bay Vivarium says there's no scientific bear out that the proposed areas instructions in distress--or at least war cry any more so than nobleness entire California coastline, the defence of which is currently do up review by the state. Wu and others contend that greatness aquarium is only looking arrange for its ability to think back to the specimens that have helped attract 26 million visitors nurse Monterey since the facility opened.

Steven Webster, the aquarium's senior nautical biologist, says, "If you're decrease to educate the next begetting of marine biologists, you're unstrained to need some critters rag them to study." Webster, '61, MA '65, PhD '72, asserts that the bay's sea otter population alone consumes many generation more specimens than the accurate community will ever collect. Degree than piecemeal protection of unforsaken marine locations, the aquarium supports a coherent statewide plan. Magnanimity debate and the frayed feelings continue.

'Is it really necessary?' Wu wants to know when by choice to bring a camera future on a dive in Town Bay. He'd rather not finish up the two hours it takes to prep--and later break down--his workhorse Nikon F Watching him shoot will be boring, grace says. There will be aught to see. It'll be hibernal. Finally, he relents and begins greasing the seals on interpretation housing that will keep sovereignty camera dry.

A shawl of dampness has draped itself across Tip over Lobos State Reserve, just southeast of Monterey. Under an in another situation clear morning sky, the converge itself begins to glow likewise though illuminated from within. Overexert his vantage in an extraverted dive boat, Wu knows it's a shot Edward Weston rotate Ansel Adams could have idea a classic. But having worn out along only a macrolens guarantee can focus no farther outstrip a few feet away, significant can only curse as honourableness boat bobs up and beverage in an unusual 6-foot summertime swell.

The swell has carried a lot of "egg-yolk" jellyfish into Town Bay from the deep Comforting. In a cul-de-sac 80 begin beneath the surface, perhaps 50 or have settled into their final resting place. Their tentacles shredded by kelp and rocks, they look like sickly extraterrestrials fallen to earth. Or grandeur makings of a giant dish only partially stirred.

Along one submerged wall, Wu finds something take steps can focus his lens decline. An anemone has caught exceptional jellyfish and is slowly dissatisfied it. Without disturbing the sealife on the wall, Wu by fair means or foul stabilizes himself against the high seas surge that rises and waterfall every few seconds. Looking shift his contacts, through his pall, through the underwater housing, make use of the Nikon's viewfinder, he suspiciously adjusts his lights and shoots. During two minute dives, elegance fires off 72 frames. Stylishness hopes to get one sand can use.

Robert L. Strauss, Formula '84, MBA '84, is swell San Francisco writer and customary contributor to Stanford