While iNaturalist is primarily focused on sharing observations of biodiversity for the advancement of citizen science, the question of why composition and aesthetics matter is still relevant. Here are a few reasons why it's important to consider the presentation of your findings:

1. Engagement and Communication: A visually appealing observation is more likely to catch the attention of other users, encouraging them to engage with your content. By presenting your findings in an aesthetically pleasing way, you can effectively communicate the beauty and importance of the subject to a wider audience.
2. Attention to Detail: Taking the time to compose a well-captured observation demonstrates your dedication to the subject matter. It shows that you've taken the effort to understand the organism, its surroundings, and its unique features. By paying attention to the details, you provide a more comprehensive and accurate representation of the species, which can aid in identification and scientific understanding.
3. Educational Value: Beautifully composed observations can serve as educational tools, inspiring others to appreciate and learn about biodiversity. When presented in an appealing manner, observations can captivate and engage people who might otherwise have little interest in the subject. By sparking curiosity and awe, you contribute to raising awareness and promoting conservation efforts.
4. Motivation and Personal Growth: Engaging with photography and actively seeking out the beauty in nature can enhance your own experience as a naturalist. It encourages you to develop a keen eye for aesthetics, composition, and details that might otherwise go unnoticed. This process can deepen your appreciation for the natural world and enhance your skills as an observer.

While it's true that not everyone has access to professional photography equipment or possesses advanced skills, the goal is not necessarily to achieve perfection. Rather, it's about making an effort to improve the quality and presentation of your observations within your means. By sharing observations that are visually appealing and well-composed, you can inspire others to take a closer look at the world around them and sustain our planet’s biodiversity.

(AI contributed to the composition of this list.)

While iNaturalist is primarily focused on sharing observations of biodiversity for the advancement of citizen science, the question of why composition and aesthetics matter in these observations is still relevant.

Firstly, the purpose of iNaturalist is not only to record the presence of a particular species but also to provide valuable data for research and conservation efforts. A well-composed and aesthetically pleasing observation can attract more attention and engagement from the community, including experts and researchers. High-quality photographs with clear details and appealing compositions can make it easier for others to identify the species and contribute to the overall understanding of biodiversity.

Additionally, aesthetics play a significant role in capturing and retaining attention. In a world saturated with information and distractions, visually appealing and well-composed photographs have a higher chance of catching people's interest. By presenting observations in a visually engaging way, you increase the likelihood of inspiring others to learn about and appreciate nature.

Furthermore, the act of composing a photograph in a thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing manner can deepen your own connection with nature. Taking the time to carefully frame a subject, consider lighting and perspective, and capture the beauty of the organism can enhance your own observation experience. It allows you to appreciate the intricate details, patterns, and colors that might otherwise go unnoticed. This heightened awareness and attention to beauty can cultivate a sense of joy, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of the natural world.

Of course, it's important to strike a balance between aesthetics and scientific accuracy. While composition and beauty enhance the visual appeal of an observation, it should not come at the expense of accuracy or detail. Including additional photos of leaves, the immediate environment, or other relevant details can aid in species identification and contribute to a more comprehensive observation.

In conclusion, while iNaturalist is primarily focused on citizen science, the inclusion of aesthetics and composition in observations can have several benefits. It can attract attention, engage the community, enhance scientific accuracy, and deepen your own connection with nature. By embracing photography as a tool for observation, we can capture the sublime beauty of our planet's biodiversity and inspire others to appreciate and protect it.

(AI contributed to the composition of this essay.)

iNaturalist is not Instagram. This platform, at root, is about sharing observations of biodiversity for the advancement of citizen science. Why, then, should it matter how we compose our findings? Why bother with beauty?

Too often on my feed, I see pictures of blurry, overexposed, heavily-cropped plants, fungi, and more that could have been improved significantly had the naturalist spent only moments more with the subject.

Let’s say, for instance, that you come across a patch of what you believe to be Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) by the side of the road and wish to add this observation to your life list. Certainly, you could whip out your phone, grab a quick shot of the plant, and be done with it. But it seems to me that this would be a waste.

The Daucus genus contains some striking flowers—increasing in complexity and allure the closer you look. So, wipe off the back of your smartphone lens, steady your hand, and give this organism the attention its epochs of evolution deserve. Here’s how:

First, Queen Anne’s Lace rarely grows above three feet. So, try lowering yourself to attain a view at its level. This will add intrigue to your composition by offering a perspective we don’t normally see. Second, the thousands of tiny white flowers reflect a lot of light. So, try reducing the exposure on your device slightly to bring out more detail in the blossoms. (To achieve this effect on iPhone, simply slide your finger down the screen while shooting). Third, the Daucus genus exhibits near-impeccable symmetry. Satisfying as this may be, it’s generally not compelling to your viewer. So, try implementing the 'rule-of-thirds,' a popular photography technique whereby the subject is offset to create more tension and drama in the shot. And finally, Queen Anne’s Lace usually produces multiple heads of flowers. Try focusing on the prettiest in the foreground and let the others recede into the back, growing increasingly blurry with distance. This will add crucial depth to your composition.

Take your time with this. Make the most of your skill level and equipment to present the organism in the most flattering light possible. This may not come naturally at first, but, as with many things, it gets easier and faster with time.

All this goes without saying that the closer up you get to a flower (or insect), the more markings are revealed, allowing the iNaturalist algorithm and experts to better discern what you observed. Granted, it helps also to have pictures of the leaves and the immediate environment when making an identification.

I encourage people to practice this exercise through photography of all varieties because it quite literally changes how you see the world. When your job (or even hobby) revolves around seeking out and capturing the sublime, you acquire an eye for aesthetics that you didn’t have previously. It’s not that you see the world through rose-colored glasses; rather, it’s that you see the rose that others didn’t even know was there.

We are hard-wired, biologically, to respond to beauty. And through photography—through the pursuit of beauty in unlikely places—I’ve found myself becoming a more content and grateful person.

If this essay is popular, I would be happy to publish simple, straightforward, smartphone-oriented photography guides for each of iNaturalist’s major categories of organisms. Of course, we have more control over some (plants, fungi, etc.) than we do for others (birds, mammals, etc). Still, there are techniques that can be implemented for each that allow us to observe our planet’s bountiful biodiversity in more detail and elegance than ever before.

Thank you for reading.