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johnmichaelwaddysmith

Garden Spider

Came across this very successful lady in my garden today. Normally this particular species make their webs in trees and bushes - but not this one. She had buil...
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Came across this very successful lady in my garden today. Normally this particular species make their webs in trees and bushes - but not this one. She had built her web, now in ruins, low down across two iris leaves and was having a ball with several hapless insects already for lunch and with supper waiting nearby. This Panasonic Lumix TZ90 is a great little camera for macro.
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Aperture f/4.3 ISO 80 Shutter 10/3200 Focal Length 109/10

upload_date

Sep, 2018

Views

131

Likes

+30

Awards

People's Choice in Spider with its lunch (close up) Photo Challenge

Peer Award

+10

Magnificent Capture

Top Choice

Superior Skill

Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Behind The Lens

Location

This was taken in my garden. I was looking for a suitable subject for the 'Spider with its lunch' challenge and after an hour I had not discovered any. I was looking in the wrong places as I bent down to pull out some weeds I had spotted and there, in the most unusual spot, was this splendid and well-fed arachnid that had cunningly built her web close to the ground stretched between two irises.

Time

It was early evening after a bright sunny day and, though the subject was close to the ground among flowers, there was plenty of good light as shown on my light meter so no need to compensate.

Lighting

This was shot in pure natural light but the problem was that the sun was behind me and I had to solve the slight problem of my shadow falling on the spider. Fortunately the camera had an articulating screen so I lay on my stomach, shuffled close to the subject to focus, balanced the camera on a brick and, using the articulated screen to centre the subject, took the shot. It was a good thing the spider had enjoyed a good meal and was contentedly sitting in the middle of her rather untidy web, oblivious of my attention.

Equipment

I had recently bought a Panasonic TZ90 camera specifically for macro work as it focuses to 3cm. I decided to use the camera without a mini tripod as I was not sure the spider would still be there if I went for it. The brick was handy and a solid base at just the right height so I improvised. I wanted a sharp image of the spider but with a bokeh background so the shot was taken with that in mind.

Inspiration

What inspired me was the challenge on Viewbug, 'Spider with its lunch', a real challenge as many spiders disappear into their lair to feast. I know a lot about spiders as I did a scientific study on them in university and this species is one that invariably feeds whilst in the centre of its web, which is ideal for this challenge. I was lucky as we had experienced a cold winter and this species is vulnerable to such conditions - but there she was, a little fat lady having a great day with plenty of bugs coming her way.

Editing

The only post processing I did was to crop the image, adjust the white balance and add a little vibrance.

In my camera bag

Normally when I go on a serious shoot I carry three cameras, my Nikon D7200 with a Nikkor 18-105mm lens, Nikon D5600 with a Nikkor 18-140mm lens and the Panasonic Lumix TZ90. I also take a Tamron 10-24mm lens which I have just invested in. I carry a Manfrotto tripod, a monopod, spare batteries, a selection of filters, lens brush, microfibre cloths and a few drinks and snacks.

Feedback

My main interest is in landscape photography and I have only very recently started shooting macro and now find it very absorbing. I have done a lot of close-up animal portraits and am still honing my techniquein that area but macro is a case of having your camera ready at the correct settings as insects are seldom still for more than a few seconds. I usually have my camera set at AF-C but still experimenting with other settings.

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johnmichaelwaddysmith

johnmichaelwaddysmith

Garden Spider

Came across this very successful lady in my garden today. Normally this particular species make their webs in trees and bushes - but not this one. She had buil... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow johnmichaelwaddysmith

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Came across this very successful lady in my garden today. Normally this particular species make their webs in trees and bushes - but not this one. She had buil...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.