Los Amigos Serves as a Natural Photography Studio

November 22, 2009

ACA’s research station functioned as a world-class photo studio for Graham D. Anderson, a leading wildlife photographer, who served as resident artist at the Los Amigos Biological Station during August and September 2009. Graham’s work in Los Amigos has been focused on taking pictures of birds and bats in flight. Through the use of infrared lights as sensors and other electronic elements that he developed, he has been able to capture stunning motion shots.

“I never expected it to be so easy to take nature photos the way I have been able to in Los Amigos,” Graham said. “Not just because of the facilities, but because there are animals everywhere, not to mention you are constantly in contact with researchers who provide you with a wealth of information.

“My experience at Los Amigos was fabulous. I am looking forward to my travels to Wayqecha Cloud Forest Research Center near Cusco, where ACA has another station that is dedicated to their vision of preserving the Amazon in a way that evokes a sense of social responsibility. I want to experience it and take pictures of flying hummingbirds—I know there are plenty there.”

ACA takes great pride in the fact that photographers of Graham’s caliber consider the concession to be a natural studio for photography and filming. ACA works hard to make this “studio” accessible to professional and amateur photographers and filmmakers around the world, who work alongside the biologists and other researchers at the station.

“We don’t want to just show the scientific side of the picture. This of course helps researchers answer many questions in terms of biodiversity, but what we really want to highlight are the immense opportunities for outreach available in the ACA’s biological facilities and conservation concessions,” said ACCA science manager Adrian Tejedor. (Photos by Graham Anderson.)