You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles.

Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up.

- Terence McKenna

James Loudon

Underwater Cinematographer & Drone Pilot


Underwater Cinematography 

Work with me to produce captivating underwater content in a variety of situations. While I specialise in big animals and offshore environments I’m competent in all aspects of underwater camera work including macro, night, ice and people. 

Licensed Drone Pilot 

Flying drones over the ocean to capture wildlife behaviour is my speciality. SACAA licensed with a knowledge of blue chip shooting style and marine animal behaviour. 

Underwater AC/Safety Diver

Underwater assistance and safety diver for all diving situations, OC and CCR. Extreme environments and expedition diving. 

Marine Expedition Consulting  & Guide 

With my extensive history of expeditions diving, filming and VIP experience creation in Africa and worldwide, as well as an extensive network of contacts I’m available to consult and guide filmmakers and individuals seeking unique ocean experiences. 

Recent work, stories & field insights

Featured
Patagonia - Land of the Southern Right whale
Patagonia - Land of the Southern Right whale

Gulfo Nuevo is the best whale diving on earth. Flat calm conditions, shallow water and friendly Southern Right whales. Add to this strict permit conditions and this really is a conservation success story. The whales are in the bay from June to November and are calving, mating and feeding resulting in all sorts of interesting behaviours.

BBC Asia, Beneath the Waves
BBC Asia, Beneath the Waves

I was excited to see the oceans episode of the latest BBC series, Asia, air earlier this month. I worked on a number of the shoots for this series assisting series DOP David Reichert and producer Mark Wheeler. A highlight was the Morish Idol sequence which we worked on over two years. Deep water, ripping currents and a event that had never been filmed made this an exciting challenge.

OceanXplorers
OceanXplorers

I worked on this project before and during COVID as a Camera Assistant, Safety diver. Amazing ship, top tier crew and the exploration potential was limitless, in reality it was tough to balance the needs of the ship, science, submarine exploration and natural history film-making.

African Penguins Stock footage
African Penguins Stock footage

We have had some exceptional luck capturing African Penguins Underwater and from drone perspectives, this footage is available to license for your projects. Underwater footage of these birds is rare as they are normally diver shy but under unusual conditions this shifts.

Older than Trees
Older than Trees

Years of stunning archive footage and new cinematic content make this a special celebration of the work of James Lea and the Save Our Seas Foundation. Great to see some of my special underwater captures from years gone by in this short film.

Blue Whales - Return of the Giants -IMAX/ Giant Screen Film
Blue Whales - Return of the Giants -IMAX/ Giant Screen Film

I’m yet to see this film as it has not made it to Africa yet, was a privileged to spend 2 seasons on the high seas working with the legendary Hugh Pearson and a multi-talented international team of scientists and media human’s.