Insects in the fridge

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I have seen videos of mothers collecting their moths in containers, and putting them in the fridge so they go into a comatose state, and stop moving. But they wake up later when their temperature rises. Then they are released. Doing this gives them a better opportunity to take good pictures.

I was wondering if you can do this with any other insects? As I dont want to kill any insects. Obviously I will come across dead insects, but some will be rare to find dead.

If not, I will keep doing my best with what is living out in the wild. Just thought it could be pretty useful.

What are your thoughts?
 
All my mum ever kept in the fridge was food. :shrug:
 
lcooper.bs said:
I have seen videos of mothers collecting their moths in containers, and putting them in the fridge so they go into a comatose state, and stop moving. But they wake up later when their temperature rises. Then they are released. Doing this gives them a better opportunity to take good pictures.

I was wondering if you can do this with any other insects? As I dont want to kill any insects. Obviously I will come across dead insects, but some will be rare to find dead.

If not, I will keep doing my best with what is living out in the wild. Just thought it could be pretty useful.

What are your thoughts?
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I'll get the popcorn!
 
It is a common practice Luke, though im not sure of the length of time involved, and releasing the insects afterwards would involve extra care so they are safe from predators.

Cant comment on the effects on the moths so hopefully someone with experience may be able to add more info.

Not something ive tried myself.
 
I've done it once with hoppers that were sold as lizard food.

Have to say, I felt uncomfortable about it.

For me, the challenge of insect photography is capturing them in the wild.
 
simon ess said:
I've done it once with hoppers that were sold as lizard food.

Have to say, I felt uncomfortable about it.

For me, the challenge of insect photography is capturing them in the wild.
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Indeed it is! :thumbs:
 
How would you feel if it was done to you?
 
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ziggy©;4873215 said:
How would young feel if it was done to you?
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COLD! VERY COLD!!
 
Back in the old days as a newbie I joined PS, the chairman was a FRPS renowned for his full colour 20 x 16 moth/butterfly prints.

When I asked how he got them to 'pose' for him he said, 'I stick em in the fridge for a bit, that makes em sit still'.
 
I have not done it myself but have heard of this technique. No different to getting up early on a cool morning and finding the bugs are dormant, but at least you know where they are.
 
Thanks for your opinions. after a bit of thought I agree with Neil. It will probably feel more rewarding taking pictures in their natural environment too. I may give it a go when I get a moth trap in the future though. From what i've seen a lot of great moths can be easily caught, but are tricky to find.

Luke
 
Don't personally put insects in the fridge, as others have said it's all part of the challenge ,try eairlier in the morning or last thing at night when they move around less. My brother (PHotopainter) has had some good moth shots at night, when they are attracted to his garden lights.
 
I don't agree with putting insects in the fridge. There are several 'pro' photographers with stunning pictures of insects covered in dew which when the metadata is interrogated shows it was taken around midday. A sure sign the insect was both put in a fridge and then drenched in saline or water. Not my idea of stunning photograhy. I bought this topic up on another 'wildlife photography' forum and was shouted down, so I think the practice is probably rife with some.

I think it makes you a lazy and unimaginative photographer.
 
I agree. Presenting these images as natural isn't really in the spirit of insect photography, with all its challenges.

It's not as bad as the winning entry in the Agfa Wildlife Photography competition in South Africa some years ago, back in the film days. It was a stunning photograph of a mongoose struggling with a snake, until investigation revealed that both animals were dead and the shot was posed!
 
I do this with Moths when I need to spend time IDing them. The benefit is that they will stay quite still for a short period once released, so you can get a record shot. It really does not take them long to get going again.
 
ziggy©;4873215 said:
How would you feel if it was done to you?
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Well if someone did it to me, I would go out and do a Bank job. Lets see the fuzz try and pick me up with their thermal imaging camera :D As mentioned Luke it is common practise for some but something I do not feel is needed if you cannot get them in a natural environment.
 
Haha! Good idea.

After a bit of practice doing it in their natural environment is fine. But occasionally I open the kitchen door for a few seconds at night with the light on to let a moth or two in and they just rest on the walls, then I catch them and free them back outside...
 
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