Spider Photos Feedback

I'd be really grateful for some C&C on my better spider shots.....

[IMG]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab343/simonarthurs/Spiders/IMGP5211.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab343/simonarthurs/Spiders/IMGP0061.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab343/simonarthurs/Spiders/IMGP9596-Copy.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab343/simonarthurs/Spiders/IMGP9820.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab343/simonarthurs/Spiders/IMGP9828.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab343/simonarthurs/Spiders/IMGP9832.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab343/simonarthurs/Spiders/IMGP9860.jpg[/IMG]

A very good series, well done.

To get more of the spider in focus you'll need a smaller aperture and some extra light. A macro ring light can be expensive but there are cheaper options.

Thanks

I'm using a sigma macro lens and also my tamron on macro setting and I've been experimenting between F4-F13

Have you tried changing the ISO at all? I've tended to keep it on ISO100

I was also going to experiment with a reflector

I am no macro expert, but i like number 3 . The backlighting is nice and the image is sharp enough.

I quit like number one and three, number one because of the light on the web and three because of the detail.

Don't be afraid to go up to ISO 400. With more light you should get apertures down to f16 or below and you'll get greater DOF. Unless you are after a particular effect, I'd say f4 is too large an aperture for macro.

BTW, your subjects are two Orb Spiders, one male and one female.

Hi Simon, nice series there.
I never worry to much about increasing the ISO (even to the 800-1250 range). Most important (as Peter says) is choosing the optimum aperture to maintain an acceptable depth of field.

One more tip . . . get closer, they don't bite or sting.

F11 or F16 and lots of light.

G

Thanks everyone for the advice, I'll try the changes to ISO subject to natural (and refelcted) light.

Mannesty, I'm guessing this spider is a tiny bit larger than our common garden spiders ?!?

It's not at all a tiny bit larger, it's hugely larger, and I admit it's not a fair comparison. The bigger they are the easier they are to photograph. My specimen was about 4 inches long including legs. See a few more images here.

It's one of the tarantula family and I found it wandering about around our house during the summer. I couldn't resist a few shots and it was very obliging. It's now living happily (I hope) where nobody will swat it with a rolled up newspaper.

Hi Simon, I like them all, agree with all a both. Try to use a monopod when possible, will help a bit with the focus (and tired arms), mostly I hand held the camera, but when they sit still long enough I use a monopod. One more thing try to control your breathing. Keep it up