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

  • Robbed

    13

  • Wound Infection

    30

  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1

  • Temporary Blindness

    2

  • Severe Diarrhea

    90

  • Robbed

    5

  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1

  • Severe Insect Problems

    12

  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2

  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33

  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21

  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1

  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1

  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1

  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1

  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1

  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1

  • Groped

    2

  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3

  • Run Checkpoint

    13

  • Broken Bones

    4

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1

  • Lost at Sea

    1

  • Broken Ribs

    6

  • Stabbed

    1

  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1

  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5

  • Hypothermia

    9

  • Teargassed

    2

  • Venomous Bites

    9

  • Severe Dehydration

    19

  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1

  • Extreme Toxins

    3

  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1

  • Dengue Fever

    1

  • Random Assault

    6

  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1

  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1

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

    2

  • Meningitis

    1

  • Lost in Andes

    2

  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8

  • Car or Bus Crash

    7

  • Groped

    9

  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1

  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3

  • Blinded by Wasps

    1

  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1

  • Giardia

    8

  • Tear Gassed

    4

  • Paraglider Crash

    21

  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29

  • Buried in Avalanche

    2

  • Falls

    12

  • Held at Gunpoint

    2

  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1

  • Penis Fish

    1

  • Broken Tail Bone

    1

  • Dislocations

    7

  • Malaria

    5

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20

  • Held at Knifepoint

    1

  • Imprisoned

    3

  • Beaten

    3

  • Chased by Crocodile

    1

  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2

  • Broken Nose

    2

  • Various Parasites

    16

  • Punched in Face

    1

  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1

  • Burns

    4

  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2

  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1

  • Rope Burn

    10

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