Over the years by participating/facilitating bioblitz events or identifying species from web, I realized that the data we obtain for identification can be improved and made easier just by making sure the observations are clear and concise.
Problems I see generally:
Out of focus photos
Not clear which species is uploaded due to abundance of organisms in the image
Size of the organism or the organs/parts cannot be determined
To overcome these obstacles in future bioblitz events in my area, I tried to design an observation frame that makes it clear: what is the main subject of the photo, how small or big the organism is, and also frame helps smartphones for the focus point. It is solely an individual effort and I wanted to share with you both to recieve feedback and to make it available for everyone to use.
I designed and printed the frame. Then I cut the outer parts. After that I laminated it with a pvc film at home.
It is shaped like P letter because you can both use it to frame your plant at the center and all four sides have rulers to determine the size of different parts of an organism, also you can use the longer side to take a photo for instance to show the height of a small plant.
you may still not be able to determine which one is the main subject if there are multiple species at the same spot and also the frame helps camera focus to the subject better, so less blurry images.
When you go out taking photos of ants by offering honey and fruit flies you can put it on a ruler. They won’t stand in the right direction … but sometimes it works.
A physical frame of reference…yes, that’s cool. In my case, I probably wouldn’t use it since 1) it’s too bulky for my (intentionally) small backpack, and 2) it requires a dedicated hand. The latter is a showstopper since both my hands are already busy doing other things.
Alternatively, observers (who use smartphones) should be encouraged to insert one of their hands into the photo frame. This has at least two advantages. It provides the viewer with a frame of reference (which, as you say, is sorely needed in many photo observations) and it helps with focus (since smartphone cameras are intentionally designed to recognize human subjects). This is why I own a smartphone with a small footprint (handprint?) so I can take photos with my right hand while my left hand prepares the subject. Of course this advice only applies to smartphone users observing plants and other stationary subjects.
My partner giggled the first time he saw me whip out a ruler to lay next to a feather while on a hike.
I mostly use it for stationary objects, like tracks and feathers, but I should probably use it for plants and the like more often.
I do agree with trscavo, from using a ruler myself, it can be a problem that it needs a hand to deploy. I need to remember to take mine out of my bag and stick it in my pocket before I go out, and figure out a better way of balancing my camera and phone at the same time. I often resort to using my hand for scale because reaching into my backpack is too awkward while carrying both, and sometimes I just can’t manage to free a hand since one is supporting my camera if I’m using my phone.
When I do need something for scale against an organism that’s not immobile and ground-level, people passing by might witness me stick my camera between my knees while squatting, holding out my hand next to a bug or plant, and trying to take a photo with my phone while balancing on the balls of my feet on uneven terrain. Awkward.
I have a Cotton Carrier camera vest, but it’s a bit much for less intense outings… I need to look into lighter camera halters or something.
Measuring things is great and your device can be used to control a subject and provide a place for the camera to focus on.
I prefer something smaller. There are 5 cm, 2 inch rulers that fit in a pocket or wallet. Many have a punch hole so you can put them on a key ring or lanyard. Obviously, such small rulers are limited if you’re working with large things, but with plants you’re often most interested in getting measurements for leaves and flower parts that are small. And if you do hold this ruler to a big thing, at least it indicates that the thing is big.
Plastic or metal? I broke my plastic one keeping it on a key ring. (Now it’s in my wallet.) If it’s metal, be sure the corners are rounded so it doesn’t wear a hole in your pocket.
