• A look at National Geographic diver Wes C. Skiles Last photos.
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[IMG]http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3669/article12981200a96a3d50.jpg[/IMG] [release] This stunning image is one of the final shots taken by a freelance photographer who died while filming an underwater shoot near Florida. Wes C. Skiles, 52, a photographer for National Geographic, died last week during a research expedition examining underwater wildlife in his home state. National Geographic's cover story in its latest edition features a series of Skiles' incredible images - taken on a recent assignment to the Bahamas blue holes - and a tribute to the man described as a 'true explorer in every sense and a wonderful spirit'. The magazine announced the death of the accomplished photographer, cinematographer and explorer in a statement today. 'The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident, which occurred following the conclusion of a scientific research expedition related to marine life off the east coast of Florida. Our thoughts are with Wes' family,' it said. In his Editor's note, the magazine's Editor in Chief Chris Johns said of Skiles: 'He set a standard for underwater photography, cinematography and exploration that is unsurpassed. It was an honor to work with him, and he will be deeply missed.' 'Wes was a big bear of a man who had a tender heart. His tenacity to get after stories and make them the best they could be was second to none,' said Kurt Mutchler, executive editor of photography. 'He loved working for the magazine - and the feeling was mutual. 'He recently told me that his mother was always getting after him to work more for us, and I am deeply saddened we won't have that opportunity.' His last story for us, Bahamas Blue Holes, made the August 2010 cover. It's a testament to Wes's photographic skills, courage and child-like wonder in the search for the unknown. He will be sorely missed,' Mutchler said. His shock death came just days before the publication of his cover story for National Geographic's August issue. The photographer was known for his pioneering exploration and documentation of Florida's springs and had produced and created more than a dozen films for major TV networks. One of his biggest achievements was leading a major National Geographic expedition to Antarctica to film the largest iceberg in recorded history. [IMG]http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/1839/article12981200a96a8e30.jpg[/IMG] [/release] These pictures are remarkable. It's sad that a man who has had such an unknown impact on people by risking his life to get these breath taking photos can go unheard of for years. When you see a beautiful high def photo from National Geographic or some other place, you (or I atleast) hardly take a moment to think about the photographer. These photos are amazing. Check them out for yourself. Underwater cave Photo album: [URL]http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/08/bahamas-caves/skiles-photography[/URL]
Amazing.
How did he die?
[QUOTE=plokoon9619;23754681]How did he die?[/QUOTE] Apparently he was on a dive, and the people he was with found him laying motionless on the ocean floor. They brought him to the surface and did some CPR and it didn't work. :saddowns:. These pictures are so awesome.
[QUOTE=plokoon9619;23754681]How did he die?[/QUOTE] [del]I guess he couldn't take the pressure[/del] Sorry FP I had a lapse in judgement
That's fucking amazing. Oh shit not about him dying i meant the pictures. Sad that he died.
I can only hope his last moments looked as beautiful as his photography.
[QUOTE=ThatHippyMan;23754891]I can only hope his last moments looked as beautiful as his photography.[/QUOTE] He died at the bottom of a reef. As far as I know they are investigating the cause.
[QUOTE=OvB;23754936]He died at the bottom of a reef. As far as I know they are investigating the cause.[/QUOTE] At least he didn't die in a helicopter crash trying to find a leopard shark that killed his father's best friend. Sorry Steve.
Those pictures are truly beautiful.
[QUOTE=Furioso;23755215]At least he didn't die in a helicopter crash trying to find a leopard shark that killed his father's best friend. Sorry Steve.[/QUOTE] ESTEBAN WAS EATEN! Steve's life was a train wreck. :saddowns:
Amazing photographer. We've lost a true artist. :(
[QUOTE=OvB;23755263]ESTEBAN WAS EATEN! Steve's life was a train wreck. :saddowns:[/QUOTE] Can you hear the Jackwhales singing?
Absolutely stunning picture's i'd love to go diving down there! might do it next year :D
[QUOTE=Source;23756161]Absolutely stunning picture's i'd love to go diving down there! might do it next year :D[/QUOTE] If you find what killed Wes be sure to send me an E-Mail.
[QUOTE=Source;23756161]Absolutely stunning picture's i'd love to go diving down there! might do it next year :D[/QUOTE] Unless you have a LOT of diving experience, there's no way you're going there.
[QUOTE=Source;23756161]Absolutely stunning picture's i'd love to go diving down there! might do it next year :D[/QUOTE] You will die if you never been diving before as cave diving is the most dangerous sport in the world. [Quote=Wikipedia] [B]Hazards[/B] Cave diving is one of the most challenging and potentially dangerous kinds of diving and presents many [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_hazards_and_precautions"]diving hazards[/URL]. Cave diving is a form of [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penetration_diving"]penetration diving[/URL], meaning that in an emergency a diver cannot ascend directly to the surface due to the cave's ceilings, and instead may have to swim horizontally. The underwater navigation through the cave system may be difficult and exit routes may be at considerable distance, requiring the diver to have sufficient [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breathing_gas"]breathing gas[/URL] to make the journey. The dive may also be deep, resulting in potential [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_diving"]deep diving[/URL] risks. Visibility can be low, or non-existent. While a less-intensive kind of diving called [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavern_diving"]cavern diving[/URL] does not take divers beyond the outermost part of the cave reached by natural light, true cave diving can involve penetrations of many thousands of feet, well beyond the reach of sunlight. The level of darkness experienced creates an environment impossible to see in without an artificial form of light. Caves often contain sand, mud, clay, silt, or other sediment that can further reduce underwater visibility in seconds when stirred up. Caves can carry strong water currents. Most caves emerge on the surface as either [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_%28hydrosphere%29"]springs[/URL] or [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siphon"]siphons[/URL]. Springs have out flowing currents, where water is coming up out of the Earth and flowing out across the land's surface. Siphons have in-flowing currents where, for example, an above-ground river is going underground. Some caves are complex and have some tunnels with out-flowing currents, and other tunnels with in-flowing currents. If currents are not properly managed, they can cause serious problems for the diver. Cave diving is perceived[[I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed"]citation needed[/URL][/I]] as one of the more dangerous sports in the world. This perception is arguable because the vast majority of divers who have lost their lives in caves have either not undergone specialized training or have had inadequate equipment for the environment.[[I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed"]citation needed[/URL][/I]] Many cave divers[[I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_words"]who?[/URL][/I]] have suggested that cave diving is in fact statistically much safer than recreational diving due to the much larger barriers imposed by experience, training, and equipment cost. There is no reliable worldwide database listing all cave diving fatalities. Such fractional statistics as are available, however, suggest that very few divers have ever died while following accepted protocols and while using equipment configurations recognized as acceptable by the cave diving community.[[I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed"]citation needed[/URL][/I]] In the very rare cases of exceptions to this rule there have always been unusual circumstances.[[I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed"]citation needed[/URL][/I]][/Quote] [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_diving[/url]
Truly amazing.
Cave diving is dangerous.. hell any diving is dangerous... All it takes is for one malfunction and your inability to release an emergency valve in the back and you'll float to the top and get the bends... Or sink to the bottom it takes a calm head and a trained one to get out of those situations that you'd only have a few seconds to react to, and in most cases knowing your gear, being extremely familiar with it, is what's going to save you
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