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

  • Severe Dehydration

    19

  • Broken Bones

    4

  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33

  • Teargassed

    2

  • Venomous Bites

    9

  • Wound Infection

    30

  • Severe Insect Problems

    12

  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1

  • Tear Gassed

    4

  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3

  • Broken Nose

    2

  • Dislocations

    7

  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5

  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1

  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1

  • Blinded by Wasps

    1

  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1

  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8

  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1

  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1

  • Broken Ribs

    6

  • Held at Knifepoint

    1

  • Chased by Crocodile

    1

  • Groped

    9

  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2

  • Punched in Face

    1

  • Robbed

    5

  • Various Parasites

    16

  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1

  • Extreme Toxins

    3

  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1

  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21

  • Beaten

    3

  • Malaria

    5

  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1

  • Imprisoned

    3

  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1

  • Lost at Sea

    1

  • Severe Diarrhea

    90

  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1

  • Temporary Blindness

    2

  • Meningitis

    1

  • Hypothermia

    9

  • Dengue Fever

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1

  • Rope Burn

    10

  • Random Assault

    6

  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1

  • Car or Bus Crash

    7

  • Broken Tail Bone

    1

  • Penis Fish

    1

  • Groped

    2

  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3

  • Lost in Andes

    2

  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1

  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1

  • Giardia

    8

  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29

  • Run Checkpoint

    13

  • Falls

    12

  • Buried in Avalanche

    2

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20

  • Paraglider Crash

    21

  • Stabbed

    1

  • Held at Gunpoint

    2

  • Burns

    4

  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2

  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1

  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1

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

    2

  • Robbed

    13

  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1

  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2

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