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Nestled among the channels of the man-made Gatun Lake, part of the Panama Canal, lies Barro Colorado Island (BCI). On the remote six-square-mile enclave, amongst pristine tropical rainforest, sits a research station where wildlife photographer and scientist Christian Ziegler works at the juncture between research and photography.
Christian is perhaps best known for his images of tropical bats. Over two decades, he has battled jungles bursting with biting insects to document the incredible biodiversity of the Central American rainforests. "I started working with and photographing bats nearly 20 years ago with an amazing bat researcher, Dr Elisabeth Kalko," he says. "I still find bats interesting today – there are over 80 species where I live in central Panama."
A tropical ecologist by training, Christian has previously worked as an associate for communication with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. STRI staff use the BCI base to document climate and animal diversity and to monitor the rainforest. The different bat species' varied diets aid plant pollination and help to control the insects that can damage crops, so Christian was tasked with providing scientific evidence, alongside arresting imagery, to promote the positive contribution they make to Panama's environment.
To capture the nocturnal mammals in their natural habitat, Christian frequently turns to his Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT flash. Here he explains how he does it.
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Working with nocturnal animals in a dark, damp and dense tropical rainforest presents many challenges – from lighting through to the demands placed on the gear. With tropical heat and rough terrain to contend with, Christian needs his kit to be both highly robust and portable.
When heading into the jungle, he primarily uses one camera body, a "super-reliable, sturdy" Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, carrying a second as backup. For this project, he took a number of small Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT flashes, a Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT to control them via radio frequency, and the necessary tripods, clamps and brackets to give him flexibility while on the move.
"It's easy with the transmitter," he says, "because I can control five flashes at the same time and the connection is straightforward."
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Working in almost total darkness, flashes were vital for capturing delicate images of bats feeding. Time and time again, Christian has returned to the Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT flash because of its durability, reliability in demanding environments, and portability. "I chose this smaller flash [rather than a larger Speedlite] because it provides sufficient light. And, since I use five to six flashes and sometimes carry my gear over large distances to get the right shot, these are lighter to carry in the field – and cheaper too," he says.
Also of benefit, Christian says, is the rubber sealing on the foot of the Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT, which fully encloses the camera's hotshoe. This is essential for reliable triggering in the 100% humidity of the often-inhospitable tropical rainforest.
When working in close proximity to skittish creatures such as bats, it's crucial that once the flashguns are in position they're controlled remotely, Christian says. While he has a 'go-to' setup when working with flash, arriving at the right exposure is a process of assessing the results and using the histogram on the back of the camera.
Even though the flashguns are initially set to manual mode, Christian keeps track of the whole lighting setup without having to move away from the camera. "I use them on manual mode so I can see what happens with the transmitter," he says.
Christian makes a note of the lighting he needs to create the look he wants for each shot, and admits it can sometimes be a lengthy process, even when coaxing a bat into position with food. However, once the bat is in place, he can quickly adjust each of the five Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT flashes with the Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT. Crucially, using a transmitter means he's not moving around and disturbing the bat. He adjusts the power settings in 1/3 steps for each flash individually via the built-in RF transmitter locked in position on the camera's hotshoe.
"I start with the flash from the top," explains Christian. "Once that looks good, I adjust the two flashes from the front. One is about a metre above and one about a metre below the subject at 45-degree angles, lighting the wings from below and the bat's face from above. The remaining two flashes are positioned behind, both below the bats, to give a sharp edge and separate the bats from the background."
The scientists use a flight cage – a large space enclosed by netting – to prevent the bat flying away. The bat's welfare is paramount. "It's important on a scientific level, as well as morally, that the resulting photographs are authentic," Christian says.
If the photographs need to include an insect, the team will find one that's already dead. But if Christian is photographing a pollinating bat, he must first find the right flower for the shot, which can take time. "In one case, to take photos of nectar-eating bats, I needed the bat-pollinated flower of the liana woody vine. But it took around a week to find suitable mature flowers in the forest," he says.
The resulting series is testament to the team's tenacity under trying conditions, and a lasting record of biodiversity in an isolated tropical ecosystem. Christian hopes this kind of photography can teach people about the world around them, informing them about environmental challenges and, ultimately, inspiring change for the better.
"So many species and habitats are threatened worldwide, and many species are on the point of extinction," he says. "I want to get people excited about the jungle. If they understand how the ecosystem works, hopefully they will value it more."
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The key kit pros use to take their photographs
Breaking the boundaries of high-speed shooting, the EOS-1D X Mark II can shoot up to 14 fps with full AF/AE tracking or up to 16fps in Live View. "The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II is super-reliable, sturdy and works perfectly in hot and humid conditions," says Christian.
A prime lens of the highest quality, with Image Stabilization, macro capability up to life-size (1.0x) and the ability to achieve a shallow depth of field with beautiful bokeh.
A powerful and versatile flash, the Speedlite 430EX II will expand your shooting options with a Guide Number of 43, wireless receiver flash ability, nine custom functions and a 24-105mm zoom head.
Fire compatible Speedlite flashguns over distances of up to 30m. Radio-frequency control provides reliable operation even when direct line of sight is not possible. "It's easy with the transmitter, so I can control five flashes at the same time and the connection is easy," says Christian.
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