Botanical Photography

• Taxonomy is the study of classification that is widely used in many areas of knowledge.
• Taxonomy is considered to be a specific branch that encompasses the description, identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms, specifically living things.
• Description refers to the assignment of features to a taxon.
• In description, we describe the features by assigning to character or character states.
• Character refers to attribute and traits.
• Character states refer to two or more forms of a character.
• Identification refers to associating an unknown taxon with a known one.
• Dichotomous keys consists of a series of two contrasting elements.
• Lead is a single statement.
• Couplet is a pair of leads often contrasting.
• Nomenclature refers to naming a taxon according to a standardized system.
• Every 6 years, rules and regulations are updated by botanists around the world, made during the International Botanical Congress.
• Family name

  • one word
  • non italicized
  • begins with a capital letter ends with -aceae
  • (e.g., Fabaceae)
• Genus name

  • specific group of plants within he family one word
  • italicized when printed
  • underscored when handwritten
  • begins with a capital letter, with various endings
  • (e.g., Pterocarpus or Pterocarpus)
• Species name

  • there may be different species within a genus
  • more specific than family and genus
  • comprised of two words: genus and specific epithet (binomial) italicized
  • specific epithet does not begin with a capital letter
  • ends with various suffixes, usually similar to the genus name
  • (e.g., Pterocarpus indicus *italicized* or Pterocarpus indicus *underline*)
• Classification refers to the arrangement of taxa into a particular order.
• Ranks refer to the level of biological classification.
• Node refers to the junction of the stem, it is also where axillary buds are found called stipules.
• Stipules are leaf-like structures.
• Sepals are leaf-life structures on a flower.
• Petals are colorful structures.
• Androecium is the male structuture.
• Anther is the organ that produces pollen.
• Stamen is the male stalk.
• Gynoecium is the femal structure.
• Stigma receives the pollen from the tip of the gynoecium.
• Style is the female stalk.
• Ovary produces ovules.
• Placentation is the attachment.
• Ovules become seeds.
• Equipment

  • Visual, spatial, and temporal data
• Composition

  • Essential features (mainly taxonomic)
• Light and Color

  • Source, intensity, and effect
• Accessories

  • Background, measurement, support, post-processing
• Considerations

  • Extraneous factors
• Macrophotography refers to the documentation of gross structure, from habit shots to small features, usually in the field.
• Macromorphology refers to the documentation of the overall structure of the plant from the field to small features.
• Photomicrography is the documentation of minutes features, from whole mounts to thin sections, usually in the lab.
• Scale is a significant component of a quality plant photo to describe how big a plant is.
• Blue is the warmest color.