Spider I

Great spider shot James!

I've been wanting to get one that like that for quite a while but the spiders in my corner of the world just aren't being cooperative... guess I need to feed them better ;)

a bit of constructive critiscism... take a bit more care when scanning. Most of your scans have evidence of dirt or hair on them and it distracts greatly from the quality of your work.

Thanks, Ian - the problem is the slides come back that dusty from the processor (!). Just got a new batch back today from an out of town processor - look MUCH better dust wise. I could spend about an hour editing them out, but it's a bit of a schlep if you are uploading and scanning half a years worth of photos... =)

 

As for spider shots, there are a couple more in the Sunday folder. Find some relaxed spiders to take photos of - most of the big ones are pretty tolerant - just take you time approaching them.

 

If you really have to get a shot of one particular spider, you can cheat and take advantage of the fact they are cold blooded - stick them in a jar in the fridge for a while. (NB this is not cruel - it's equivalent to taking pictures of spiders in the winter - they can take this and it won't kill them as long as you only do it for a couple of hours). They warm up again quite fast too). This was also a rather large beast (couple of inches long). I asked someone to volunteer their hand as a spider perch (sense of scale), but they weren't interested! =)

 

James.

Please give me your thoughts on this photo.

 

What are its faults - is it a good image (I rather like it)?

 

Thanks for your time!

 

James.

Thanks for the tip.... I think if the mouth section was less dark, I would have loved it. Stilla great shot.

You're right about the "mouth" section needing a bit more light. Unfortunately, I don't have a flash I can use to acheive things like that - I have to rely on natural light as best I can. It actually had pretty bright orangey fangs if I remember correctly.

 

A ring flash would be just great =)

 

Thanks for your comment!

 

James.

oh my!! This is real impressive!! The angle is cool & the detail of the hairs is brilliant. I like it without flash as the natural light has given a kind of bluey aura to it.

Thanks, Geraldine (and for the high rating!).

It was taken in what they would call "open shade" hence the cool (blueish) colour to it. Had I been able to find direct sunlight, I would probably have tried that. Maybe I should make some reflectors too...

 

On further consideration of the underlit mouth/face - I think with more light it would look far less menacing.

 

This was by far the most successful of 15 or so different angles I tried; the ones I took from above were pretty mediocre (although I do kind of like one I titled "pensive spider" where it looks like it is in deep thought with its hear nearly resting on one leg, which I haven't uploaded). My housemates thought I was mad taking so many photos of one thing =) I was particularly distressed that the Art student didn't understand the need for different interpretations of a subject!!!

 

Thanks again.

What a hairy, scary creature. I am beginning to understand people suffering of arachnophobia.

 

Good photograph, James.

 

Oh man...I hate spiders! I almost can't look at it -but that is a compliment! It is a good photo, and A LOT more detailed, than I imagined! Guess I thought that I should see at a little tiny spider in it's net. Well, I got surprised! :) Scary, but you did a good job!