Creating images for moth identification
A mobile phone or compact camera is adequate equipment so long as you know how to use it and take close up photos. After a couple of years struggling with blurry, pixellated images, I eventually found out how to use my phone camera after searching the internet for tips on how I could get best results when taking macro or close-up photos with my model of phone. Once you have the right settings on your camera/phone, then try these additional steps to get the best possible moth pictures:
· Good natural light really helps. Try to avoid taking photos in artificial or bright light as it creates shadows that make it hard to see the shapes and markings on moths, If it’s a sunny day and you’re in an open space, create a shadow by standing between the sun and the moth and then take the photo.
· It’s impossible to do a reliable identification on a moving moth, they just become a blur, so wait until they settle. The good thing about using moth traps is that the moths are usually still, so easier to photograph. Equally, it’s hard to take a good photo with a camera that’s moving, so stay still and hold your camera/phone steady. If you have wobbly hands, small tripods are available for phones and cameras very cheaply. I have a handheld button that links by bluetooth to my phone and operates the shutter so that I’m not trying to focus, hold the phone and also press the button on the camera.
· Focus on the moth, don’t worry about anything else in the photo
· Take 2 photos - an image of the moth from above and an image of it from the side
Take 2 photos
From overhead
Take 2 photos
2. From the side
· Try to give some idea of the size of the moth in millimetres. It doesn’t have to be exact but it will help to identify the moth. A common item like a pen or key placed next to the moth in the photo can give a sense of scale of you don’t have a ruler, graph paper or tape measure to hand (I rarely do!).
Other Useful information
Along with your photos, make a note of the date, place you saw the moth and anything else about the environment you noticed.
Did you use a moth trap, net, light or spot your moth in daylight?
Making a few notes will help you to remember and provide extra detail if you’re using a forum to help you with identification.