The Hazards of a
Photo Society Photographer...

This page is dedicated to Wes Skiles who died doing the work he loved. Sadie Quarrier, senior photo editor, National Geographic Magazine says:   “I was lucky enough to work with Wes as his photo editor on (his) “Bahamas Blue Holes” story for NGM. He was deeply passionate about diving, exploring, photographing and protecting the waterways… Wes was big-hearted and humble yet extremely driven. He was doggedly determined to produce the best possible article on these caves he called home. He dared to dream big, and no budget or contract would stop him from going after a shot he felt we needed, even if it was on his own dime…”

There have been other deaths over the years and many serious injuries. The posts below are recent survey responses from 45 photographers about some of the hazards encountered while on assignment for the National Geographic Society. The numbers represent individual incidents.

Reality Check

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1

  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1

  • Severe Insect Problems

    12

  • Blinded by Wasps

    1

  • Punched in Face

    1

  • Lost at Sea

    1

  • Buried in Avalanche

    2

  • Dislocations

    7

  • Burns

    4

  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1

  • Temporary Blindness

    2

  • Beaten

    3

  • Falls

    12

  • Broken Nose

    2

  • Robbed

    5

  • Assault by Florida panther. 2 photographers, 2 assignments, same panther.

    2

  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1

  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2

  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1

  • Run Checkpoint

    13

  • Imprisoned

    3

  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2

  • Hypothermia

    9

  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1

  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1

  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33

  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3

  • Random Assault

    6

  • Rope Burn

    10

  • Held at Gunpoint

    2

  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1

  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2

  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3

  • Penis Fish

    1

  • Robbed

    13

  • Groped

    9

  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1

  • Severe Dehydration

    19

  • Wound Infection

    30

  • Held at Knifepoint

    1

  • Tear Gassed

    4

  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1

  • Giardia

    8

  • Car or Bus Crash

    7

  • Malaria

    5

  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1

  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5

  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1

  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21

  • Lost in Andes

    2

  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20

  • Broken Bones

    4

  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1

  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1

  • Chased by Crocodile

    1

  • Paraglider Crash

    21

  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1

  • Teargassed

    2

  • Severe Diarrhea

    90

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1

  • Meningitis

    1

  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1

  • Broken Ribs

    6

  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29

  • Extreme Toxins

    3

  • Stabbed

    1

  • Broken Tail Bone

    1

  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1

  • Dengue Fever

    1

  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1

  • Various Parasites

    16

  • Groped

    2

  • Venomous Bites

    9

  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8

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