Nature Photography

Photography tips with Kevin Hanley

• If you are using a cell phone, make sure you turn your flash on. This will help decrease shadows and increase edge definition.

• Try to only have one subject in a picture. This will aid in good identifications.

• Ideally, photograph multiple views of the same subject.

• When photographing fungi, make sure you also get a photo of the underneath part of the cap.

• With bees, make sure you photograph a view of the abdomen patterning. This is very important with bumble bees.

• When photographing trees, photos of the bark, leaves and branching pattern are helpful.

• Blurry pictures will absolutely make identification almost impossible.

• Remember, the closer you get to a subject, the less that will be in focus (limited depth of field).

• With butterflies, both sides of the wings are important in determining identification.

• Always take more than one photo of a subject, especially insects.

• Look for unique characteristics of any subject. Anything unique will help with identification.

• Rulers are the best items to use to show scales, coin size isn’t, not everyone uses US currency.

• No houseplants or non-native plants. Only photograph plants and trees in the wild please.

• For iNaturalist.org no photos of people, dogs, cats, or other pets!