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

  • Beaten

    3

  • Robbed

    13

  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1

  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21

  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1

  • Penis Fish

    1

  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1

  • Stabbed

    1

  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2

  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1

  • Car or Bus Crash

    7

  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1

  • Blinded by Wasps

    1

  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1

  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1

  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1

  • Broken Nose

    2

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20

  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2

  • Paraglider Crash

    21

  • Burns

    4

  • Run Checkpoint

    13

  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1

  • Giardia

    8

  • Lost in Andes

    2

  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33

  • Groped

    9

  • Tear Gassed

    4

  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1

  • Punched in Face

    1

  • Venomous Bites

    9

  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3

  • Held at Gunpoint

    2

  • Robbed

    5

  • Broken Ribs

    6

  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8

  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1

  • Chased by Crocodile

    1

  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1

  • Teargassed

    2

  • Severe Insect Problems

    12

  • Severe Diarrhea

    90

  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1

  • Temporary Blindness

    2

  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1

  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1

  • Held at Knifepoint

    1

  • Dengue Fever

    1

  • Wound Infection

    30

  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1

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

    2

  • Random Assault

    6

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1

  • Broken Bones

    4

  • Various Parasites

    16

  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1

  • Severe Dehydration

    19

  • Falls

    12

  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5

  • Extreme Toxins

    3

  • Lost at Sea

    1

  • Buried in Avalanche

    2

  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1

  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29

  • Broken Tail Bone

    1

  • Dislocations

    7

  • Hypothermia

    9

  • Malaria

    5

  • Rope Burn

    10

  • Meningitis

    1

  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2

  • Groped

    2

  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1

  • Imprisoned

    3

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