I mostly ID plants, and many people don’t realize how to photograph plants for the best chances of getting a correct ID. Here’s what I like to see: A closeup of the leaf A full-plant photo Side AND top views of flowers What do you ID, and how can people photograph it better?

I’m no “expert” on birds, but I do know how to ID a lot of them (in NA). For a lot of birds, any non-blurry shot will do (sometimes even those work!). However, a good deal also require a high-quality picture of the chest, the head, and/or the side of the bird. Usually, that’s enough for a species…

It is difficult do give generalized answers as it always depents. However, talking about bugs, trying not to only get a picture from the side but also from straight above will in many cases provide experts with a lot of information, to make an ID if at all possible. For many beetles for example the…

I don’t know that I can add anything to what’s already been stated, but I’ll make a quick terminology note – speciation is actually how we refer to the process of one species splitting into two. You’re asking about identifying species, an entirely different thing. Not a big deal, your meaning is cle…

as for plants – it depends. the flowers do give a lot of information, but in most cases they are not enough. photos of the general shape of the plant (“habit”) are helpful. a good photo showing the shape of the leaves and and details on them such as hairs. bark, if present. and as for the flowers …

Great topic! OK, it really depends on the taxonomic key. You wouldn’t expect beginners to know what to photograph. I usually try to help ID plants I know, and if the photos aren’t good enough, I move on, mostly. However, consider doing what one nice person did for me. I kept posting Manzanita, and…

Plants: Some groups need more, but at least whole plant, top and bottom of leaf, front and side of flower.

[image] andyjones1: Rhamnus Hi, thanks for composing such a thorough reply and mentioning specific examples. I guess this site seems to focus on getting an identification to species level, but I have come to realize, that different varieties (or subspecies) of a species are very much differen…

For insects I try my best to take a dorsal and lateral shot as best as I can. If I can take a picture of the wings showing the venation then I would include that as well. In terms of spiders I always try to get a picture of the eyes so at least it can be determined to family level. I’ve learned that…

Oh, for plants, what type of soil or wetland they are growing in is very helpful to know. Clay, disintigrated shale, sand dunes, serpentine, etc.

I used to ID all observations of the genus Senna and this is the comment I used to post: A picture of an entire leaf, from above, including the petiole base, would help identifying (for counting the leaflets, checking the leaflet shape and searching for extrafloral nectaries). Please don’t take on…

Identifiers - what do you ID, and how can observers make it easier to do so? - #74 by bouteloua - General

Topic		Replies	Views	Activity
Photo taking recommendations by taxon? General	47	9291	August 20, 2020
Could iNaturalist better help observers use this as a forum for good plant ID (and other kingdoms), and less a place to just post their pretty flower pictures? General	38	2386	December 5, 2021
Where are all the plant lovers? General	72	3478	September 21, 2022
Are there any taxa that need more identifiers and aren’t cryptic/near-impossible to identify? Or are those things mutually exclusive? General	61	1290	August 16, 2026
Identifiers, what parts of organisms are helpful for identification? Nature Talk question	18	2090	June 22, 2023