Home > About the Film > Director of Photography Brian Dowley

Director of Photography's Biography

Brian has been a director of photography for over 30 years and has shot dozens of documentaries as well as some feature films. He has traveled with scientists and historians all over the world for a variety of productions, including shooting films for PBS and The BBC. For PBS he has shot many NOVA films, including: CANCER WARRIOR (Emmy nominated), WINGS OF MADNESS and FOUR WINGED DINOSAUR (Emmy nominated). Films for American Experience include, DINOSAUR WARS, THE ALASKA PIPELINE and LOST IN GRAND CANYON  In 2003, Brian won a Peabody Award for his cinematography and field production for the PBS series, THE RISE AND FALL OF JIM CROW.   He shot for the 2009 Emmy Award winning, National Geographic Special, FIVE YEARS ON MARS. 

Brian is recognized for hand held camera work, lighting design and aerial production.

Brian’s formal training includes both an MFA in film production and a BFA in Photography from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

A personal note about this film:

Working on CHARLOTTE has been a labor of love.  Brian has sailed in Vineyard waters all his life. He met Nat Benjamin in the late 1970s when Nat was working on his first design, the Canvasback. Over the years Brian has sailed with Nat Benjamin and Ross Gannon and has documented the launches of many boats. Having the opportunity to shoot and produce a film about these two great friends and mentors has been a privilege.