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Orbweaver
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Orbweaver

by scott lanz

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted May 15, 2012329 views10 comments
I shot this backlit spider last weekend in my flower bed. The spider is very small, only about a half inch long from front leg tip to rear leg tip. This was worse than shooting flowers. Every tiny breeze, no matter how slight, would cause the whole web to float and sway, and the backlighting was constantly changing, making focal stacking impractical. I simply compromised between subject DOF and keeping the BG non distracting. Nikon D700, 180 macro, extension tube, iso 400, 1/50, appx f5.6. Larger image included, comments/criticisms welcome.

Edit: Leucauge venusta - Orchard Orbweaver. Thanks Carolyn for the ID.

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on May 15, 2012 at 8:32 PM
Great macro shot, Scott! I believe this might be an Orchard Orbweaver spider. I had photographed one of them in my garden last year and it looks very similar. See what the "experts" say. :smile: I know these tiny spiders can be quite a challenge to capture but I think you have succeeded wonderfully. I like the DOF of the spider web directing focus to the spider. Would wish more of the spider could be in focus but one often has to compromise and I think this "compromise" worked out very well! :smile:
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on May 16, 2012 at 6:42 AM
Love the perspective on this insect, Scott - the excellent dof and the radiating lines of the web really give the spider great presence.
Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on May 16, 2012 at 7:43 AM
Great capture. The colors work very well and I like the pov of the spider and the web. Fine image.
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Deibert on May 16, 2012 at 8:42 AM
This is simply AWESOME! I feel like I'm caught in its web, looking at it, hoping it doesn't see me! Wonderful DOF, BG, and perspective. :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on September 30, 2011, 48 Posts, 125 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 16, 2012 at 8:43 AM
The tiny Orchard Spider's a very difficult macro subject, I know from the trying.
As you say, any small air movement increases the difficulty..add a dimly lit BG & it's compounded..
I guess one option is to cheat & introduce an artificial lighter BG, although I haven't done this myself.
I think you've done a great job at F/5.6, with the cephalothorax, palps, and nearby legs in sharp focus:toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Turner on May 16, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Top notch spider shot and colors in bg work great. Wonderful dof on the subject.
Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Grabski on May 16, 2012 at 4:16 PM
What a fantastic shot. Beautiful colours. What does it for me is the web. :toast:
Registered on April 29, 2011, 122 Posts, 431 Comments
Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on May 17, 2012 at 12:32 AM
An excellent image of a tough subject, Scott- Fine detail where it counts, an excellent composition and a pleasant, almost flag-like background on this image- Thanks for sharing, Fabio
Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments
Comment posted by Manoj Wijekulasuri on May 27, 2012 at 8:56 AM
Great Image ....Excellent work Scott ....
Registered on May 6, 2012, 10 Posts, 20 Comments
Comment posted by Manjot Singh on September 11, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Excellent Work! Give more Inspiration to me for Macro I did very less in this field :toast:
Registered on May 10, 2012, 25 Posts, 66 Comments