Gordon Buchanan Scottish cameraman and photographer. Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Gordon Buchanan
2. A Year with Polar Bears

Biography of Gordon Buchanan

Gordon Buchanan is a renowned Scottish filmmaker and photographer. With his exceptional skills and innate talent, he has captured some of the most extraordinary moments in nature. Buchanan's work is not just a craft, but an art form that requires a deep understanding and boldness to capture truly captivating footage.

A Year with Polar Bears

During the production of the film "The Polar Bear Family and Me," Buchanan spent an entire year in close proximity to a female polar bear and her two cubs. This project required immense courage as the female polar bear, even without considering her maternal instincts, is a formidable and dangerous creature. With razor-sharp claws and the ability to move swiftly, these magnificent creatures truly are the kings of the Arctic.

To ensure his safety during the project, Buchanan constructed a specially designed protective dome made of strong acrylic glass. This dome allowed him to observe the movements of the bear, named Lira, and her cubs, Mickey and Luka, without the risk of being harmed by the massive paw of the protective mother. This protective dome saved Buchanan from several close encounters with the bears, including one particularly memorable incident.

During one of his filming sessions, a massive polar bear weighing over 4 and a half hundredweights and standing at 2.4 meters managed to sneak up dangerously close to Buchanan. Fortunately, he was able to take shelter inside the protective dome just in time. The bear showed great frustration in its failed attempt to reach its prey, but it was unable to penetrate the sturdy structure. The bear persisted for nearly 45 minutes, making those moments the longest and most terrifying of Buchanan's life.

Remarkably, even inside the dome, Buchanan did not stop filming. The footage captured during this encounter portrays the sheer terror that such a fierce creature can evoke. Despite the danger, Buchanan's dedication to his craft remained unwavering, and he successfully completed the film, which was later released to television audiences.

The subject of Buchanan's next project remains a mystery, but it is certain that the creatures he chooses to film will be equally extraordinary and captivating.