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levyj413


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2008-11 (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: Animals
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX APO Macro IF HSM for Nikon
Location: National Zoo
Date: Nov 30, 2008
Galleries: Animals, Macro
Date Uploaded: Nov 30, 2008

 I guess some people are more focused on the lighting than on the rare treat of seeing a spider eating (or are grossed out by the subject).

This was taken at the National Zoo, where there's a corner dedicated to these spiders with no glass in front. I was there for an hour shooting this and another spider that wasn't eating. It never stopped being fun watching a new family come up and point and then realize there was no glass protecting them (the families, not the spiders!). :)

I wound up leaning way over under the web - the spider was probably 3 feet nearly directly overhead, facing down and to the left - this is rotated 90 degrees.

The enclosure was very dark, so there was no way to shoot this without onboard flash.

What was fascinating was looking at the last shot in the batch - after an hour of working on this cricket, it was an unrecognizable ball.

Statistics
Place: 270 out of 417
Avg (all users): 5.4079
Avg (commenters): 6.3333
Avg (participants): 5.4712
Avg (non-participants): 5.2708
Views since voting: 1022
Views during voting: 251
Votes: 152
Comments: 10
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 12/17/2008 03:45:09 PM
I'm gonna go with the whole yuck factor. That said, it's a cool macro. Mary's advice is good - I may have to find one of those gizmos, too. I've also been known to use a white paper napkin over my onboard flash to diffuse it a bit.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2008 06:57:45 AM
Back despite this STILL being a spider to note that I got a thing called a Puffer which fits over the onboard flash to diffuse it some. Cheap gizmo (and I've seen some reviews saying it breaks easily) but for situations like this it's a great little accessory.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2008 03:44:40 AM
Wow. this is a great macro. I don't know if I have ever seen a spider putting out web before in person! I find that part as fascinating as the meal. I am very freaked out by spiders but this is an amazing shot.

I took some shots of one this summer that looked similar. It was called a Black And Yellow Garden Spider. not very scientific sounding. Is that was this one is?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/05/2008 01:50:54 PM
ahh ewww! thats freaking awesome! lovely background too
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2008 09:43:29 AM
Harsh light from the flash takes away from the photo, but nice capture of a spider's meal.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2008 08:39:47 AM
Ahhhhhhh, ruuuun, giant spiders are taking over the world ... oh hang on, wait, it's a macro .... Great coloured spider and great detail
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2008 08:06:26 PM
Eww. I know; I always say that about spiders. This is particularly gross since he's in mid-meal. well shot and all, but ... eww.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2008 07:31:36 PM
Awesome spider shot. You got a great DOF in this very close shot as well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2008 09:42:09 PM
Timely capture... I wish the lighting were a bit less 'onboard flash' looking... (not voting yet)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2008 09:32:41 PM
Wow, we have a 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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