john schroeder Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 I am trying to photograph spiders. Big Hobo Spiders to be exact. I can't get them to stay still long enough. They don't like my lights and won't sit still for the long exposure needed without the lights. Does any one know how to knock a spider out without killing it and without it curling it's legs in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_fromm1 Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 John, one of my old friends is Michael H. Robinson, an arachnidologist with many publications. Google him, he's a real person. He uses flash, not hot lights. Take the hint, learn to use flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 John, Don't know about knocking out a spider. I try using flash while they are alive and on the move.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 The one time I tried to "pacify" a spider, it appeared to work. Several shots (mostly wasted on focusing and stuff for >4X) went by with the spider still but alive. When I was getting all the stuff together (after about 5-6 shots), *impressed* with my photographic skills the spider died :-(<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbb Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 And how you justify to knock the spider out to get a snap of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_olander1664878205 Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 I agree with Mark. Get a 105mm macro, or better yet a 200mm, and use flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 The spider in the *snap* shown above was knocked out by an unruly mother who was concerned about this prowler in the baby room. All I had to do was to take a few *snaps* to discover its status. Distance (territory) is a relative aspect for different animals. A spider's territorial limit may be very different than that of an African elephant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_chappell Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 1. As others have said, use flash, not hot lights 2. Cool them down in a refrigerator. Spiders are ectotherms, so low body temperature slows movements. This won't hurt them (I said refrigerator, NOT freezer), but there are a couple of problems. First, they're small, so they will quickly warm up to room temperature and normal activity, and second, a chilled spider often looks unnatural. Not as unnatural as a dead one, however.<P> I used the 'fridge method to help with this little <A HREF="http://www.biology.ucr.edu/ personal/MACphotos/arthropods/yellowjumper.html"><I>Thiodina</i> jumping spider</a>. In these photos the animal has long since warmed up, but I was able to position the camera when she was still cool. Therefore, even when warm she was 'relaxed' because she didn't see a big camera making large movements nearby. Or so I assume. For whatever reason, it worked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_cochran Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 As others have said, use a flash. <p> <center> <img WIDTH=430 HEIGHT=321 src="http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/prettypics/spiderface2.jpg" border=10><br> </center> <p> I shot the above with a 500 W-s monolight bounced into a 36" umbrella. Probably the craziest ratio of subject size to light size I've ever used, but it works well. The spider was jumping constantly, very active, yet I was able to get a sharp shot of her. Because she was moving so quickly and erratically, it took quite a few shots to get one with her in the frame, however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scot Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 When shooting in the dark, I use a flashlight to (manually) focus, then take the shot with flash. The flashlight isn't on long enough to spook them. This is easier than daytime shooting, when they sometimes spook...depending on species of course. Here's a shot...and if anyone can telll me who this guy is, I'd appreciate it; my spider ID books don't show him. scot<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scot Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 Sorry for that big image; I'll try again. scot<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_chappell Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 <I>if anyone can telll me who this guy is, I'd appreciate it</i><P> Probably an Aaraneid, one remote possibility is <A HREF="http://biology.ucr.edu/personal/ MACphotos/arthropods/neoscona.html"><I>Neoscona crucifera</i></a>, but I'm very far from an arachnologist. And very definitely, this is a female: they're the ones with the huge abdomens. Males are typically very, very tiny and 'svelt' in compared to females -- and they have to be <B><I>extremely</i></b> careful in courtship to avoid being eaten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_chappell Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 <I>I am trying to photograph spiders. Big Hobo Spiders to be exact.</i><P> John: since you are interested in hobo spiders, you might want to look at <A HREF="http://spiders.ucr.edu/index.html"> this page</a>, down near the bottom (it has links to some hobo spider information). The page is mainly oriented to California spiders; I don't know your location but your web pictures have a California flavor to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg s Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 another vote for flash.. leaves the subject as found.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_stokely Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 Ditto for the flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tholte Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 I think natural light is the ticket for spiders.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfarabi Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 Flash! Flash! Flash! And leave them where you find them. Respect them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_fromm1 Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 Um, Amran, depending on the spider and the situation, Mike sometimes captured his subjects, either to preserve or for captive study. The 16x20 prints of hia spider pictures on his walls at home are quite something. He also took literally miles of quite remarkable films of, mainly, spider courtship and mating. Motion pictures. Some 16 mm, some Super 8. In one of my other lives, I'm sort of an ichthyologist. My aquarist friends, who prefer their fish live, are appalled when they learn of the quantity of fishes we routinely put away. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john schroeder Posted October 9, 2005 Author Share Posted October 9, 2005 I think the fridge is the answer. I can place the spider on a very cold plate. That should extend my shooting time. I'm using a tent and a 60mm micro Nikkor. I'm not using flash because I only have one and I really need three light sources for what I'm trying to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john schroeder Posted October 9, 2005 Author Share Posted October 9, 2005 I guess they're not Hobo spiders but big house spiders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_chappell Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 Tim: your meltingly lovely photo is of the favorite spider of many people, the <A HREF="http://www.biology.ucr.edu/personal/MACphotos/arthropods/Aaurantia.html"> golden garden spider <I>Argiope aurantia</i></a>. That one I <B><i>do</b></i> know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_limiti Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 In Close Ups In Nature, John Shaw discusses a home made "butterfly bracket" which holds the flash of the camera at the correct angle and distance for closeup photography. It should work just as well for spiders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnabdas Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Available light, fresh from the field (served unchilled)<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briany Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 Arnab, which of those ten "legs" are actually not? Nice pictures on this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_chappell Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 Yes, it's a bit odd. The small 'legs' in front are pedipalps but I can't figure out the two leglike structures in the rear. It's almost like this was a solphugid (not a spider) but it lacks the big "jaws" (mandibles) that group posesses. My guess is that the rear 'legs' are highly modified spinnarets, but I'm probably wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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