Photographing moths

[Kayleigh]

What is the best way to photograph moths without them flying off..
I get lots of moths overnight in the kitchen and I put them in a small plastic container take a shot then release them but I dont get a decent shot.
What method do you use.

This is an example of the one in the container it is fuzzy and not very clear..



This was on the door in the kitchen still not a great shot as it was way above my head.



Thanks Elaine

[Lance Morgan]

Hi Kayleigh
You can try putting them in the fridge to cool them for 30 mins. they will then sit tight for you to photograph them. Don't forget and leave them to freeze tho'

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

Hi Kayleigh
You can try putting them in the fridge to cool them for 30 mins. they will then sit tight for you to photograph them. Don't forget and leave them to freeze tho'

Thank you Lance, I will set the timer so I dont leave them in there too long.
I will have to hide them from hubby though not sure how he would take to moths being in the fridge..

[nutmeg]

Some moths don't sit tight even after a short spell in the fridge so sometimes I just have to make do with shots of them wherever they happen to be. Worth trying though.

You could also try taking the lid off the container and holding the container over where you want the moth to settle and see if it does. Then carefully take the container away and take a shot or two before the moth disappears! Sometimes even the flightiest of moths will oblige. Hard to predict with some though!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by nutmeg

Some moths don't sit tight even after a short spell in the fridge so sometimes I just have to make do with shots of them wherever they happen to be. Worth trying though.

You could also try taking the lid off the container and holding the container over where you want the moth to settle and see if it does. Then carefully take the container away and take a shot or two before the moth disappears! Sometimes even the flightiest of moths will oblige. Hard to predict with some though!

Thanks nutmeg,
I did try to get moths to stay where I put them but they never do not for me anyway.
The silver Y did but it was high up and when I tried to move it just flew off so I gave up and put it out.
I tried the fridge technique on a wasp as no moths were about, it worked for a very short time then the wasp came to life really quick, maybe a bit longer in the cooler for those.


Thank you for the input it all helps..

[Geoff F]

Chris Harlow has produced a leaflet on how to photograph moths http://www.staffs-ecology.org.uk/sta...ng%20Moths.pdf

If that link doesn't work Google Photographing Moths/Chris Harlow. I just double checked and it is still current. It appears that there are also some other items from him which may prove useful.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Chris Harlow has produced a leaflet on how to photograph moths http://www.staffs-ecology.org.uk/sta...ng%20Moths.pdf

If that link doesn't work Google Photographing Moths/Chris Harlow. I just double checked and it is still current. It appears that there are also some other items from him which may prove useful.

Wow, thank you Geoff..
I have bookmarked it.
I will have to blow it up the writing is minute..the old eyes cant cope any more..

[gez]

IMO its not right to put any living thing in the fridge to slow it down for you to take a few photos.!!!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by gez

IMO its not right to put any living thing in the fridge to slow it down for you to take a few photos.!!!

This was taken in the garden I found it in the kitchen put it in a container then tipped it onto the patio table it was not put in the fridge..



This wasp was put in the fridge, I felt really sorry for it but it recovered very quickly..
I am not fond of this method and try to get natural shots even when they escape.
This is not the only thread on this issue.

[gez]

I have not read the other threads on this & dont really want to!. so the wasp was caught poss outside? then put in fridge. still think its wrong if someone does this!