“It’s not like I’m actively looking for danger. I want to show people the wonders of nature.” —Carsten Peter

The first time Carsten Peter tried to photograph an active volcano, he was too busy running away from flying volcanic rock to remember to click the shutter. But now, the seasoned German adventure photographer spends his National Geographic assignments climbing into active volcanoes, chasing and being chased by tornadoes, and rappelling into deep ice caves.

Peter claims that he does not go looking for danger, though it often follows him as he searches for untouched places to show the world. He has won a World Press award for his photographs of tornadoes in Western United States, as well as an Emmy Award for