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

  • Broken Bones

    4

  • Tear Gassed

    4

  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1

  • Buried in Avalanche

    2

  • Beaten

    3

  • Temporary Blindness

    2

  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1

  • Dislocations

    7

  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1

  • Held at Gunpoint

    2

  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1

  • Car or Bus Crash

    7

  • Robbed

    5

  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29

  • Meningitis

    1

  • Severe Diarrhea

    90

  • Groped

    9

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1

  • Random Assault

    6

  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8

  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1

  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1

  • Stabbed

    1

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

    2

  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1

  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3

  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5

  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1

  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1

  • Run Checkpoint

    13

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20

  • Severe Insect Problems

    12

  • Severe Dehydration

    19

  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33

  • Lost in Andes

    2

  • Teargassed

    2

  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1

  • Chased by Crocodile

    1

  • Dengue Fever

    1

  • Rope Burn

    10

  • Wound Infection

    30

  • Lost at Sea

    1

  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1

  • Giardia

    8

  • Burns

    4

  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21

  • Penis Fish

    1

  • Broken Ribs

    6

  • Blinded by Wasps

    1

  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1

  • Held at Knifepoint

    1

  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2

  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2

  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3

  • Imprisoned

    3

  • Groped

    2

  • Extreme Toxins

    3

  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1

  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1

  • Robbed

    13

  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1

  • Broken Tail Bone

    1

  • Venomous Bites

    9

  • Malaria

    5

  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2

  • Various Parasites

    16

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1

  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1

  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1

  • Broken Nose

    2

  • Punched in Face

    1

  • Hypothermia

    9

  • Falls

    12

  • Paraglider Crash

    21

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