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

  • Blinded by Wasps

    1

  • Venomous Bites

    9

  • Rope Burn

    10

  • Giardia

    8

  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1

  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1

  • Held at Knifepoint

    1

  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1

  • Falls

    12

  • Severe Insect Problems

    12

  • Severe Dehydration

    19

  • Imprisoned

    3

  • Robbed

    5

  • Broken Tail Bone

    1

  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1

  • Random Assault

    6

  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1

  • Car or Bus Crash

    7

  • Burns

    4

  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3

  • Teargassed

    2

  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1

  • Broken Bones

    4

  • Beaten

    3

  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1

  • Paraglider Crash

    21

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

    2

  • Held at Gunpoint

    2

  • Groped

    9

  • Groped

    2

  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1

  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1

  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2

  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8

  • Tear Gassed

    4

  • Severe Diarrhea

    90

  • Extreme Toxins

    3

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20

  • Meningitis

    1

  • Punched in Face

    1

  • Malaria

    5

  • Temporary Blindness

    2

  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1

  • Various Parasites

    16

  • Chased by Crocodile

    1

  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1

  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3

  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2

  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1

  • Dislocations

    7

  • Run Checkpoint

    13

  • Broken Ribs

    6

  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29

  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1

  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1

  • Lost in Andes

    2

  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1

  • Hypothermia

    9

  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1

  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1

  • Penis Fish

    1

  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1

  • Dengue Fever

    1

  • Robbed

    13

  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5

  • Broken Nose

    2

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1

  • Wound Infection

    30

  • Stabbed

    1

  • Buried in Avalanche

    2

  • Lost at Sea

    1

  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2

  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1

  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21

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