Pretty Jumper.
Image taken in Northern Australia. This is the male with the long front pedipalps.
Image taken in Northern Australia. This is the male with the long front pedipalps.
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Jul, 2017Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken in Tropical Northern Australia. I had actually seen this little Jumper the day before while photographing some birds and as i did not have my macro gear with me decided to try my luck the next day. Normally you wont have much luck the next day as they tend to move around a lot and if they see you comming they move back under the leaf until you have moved on. Must have been my lucky day as it took only a few minutes to find him taking in some early morning sun. When you move into to take the first image they will tend to slide under the leaf but be patient as they will re amerg in a few minutes then very slowly move into the best position and enjoy the journey .Time
Early morning is best as they are still quiet slow and will be looking to get some sun rays into their bodies so they tend to stay still abit longer.The other reason i like to photograph Jumping Spiders in the early morning is the lack of a breeze. The stiller the better with macro photography.Lighting
Early morning light is ok but if you can learn to use flash then the results will be much better. If i had a choice a slightly overcast day and a good way to check this is to look at your own shadow on the ground and if you can just see some of the shadow then you should get some good results. As with most macro subjects they tend to show up hot spots or shiney spots from the light being to harsh.Equipment
I was using the full frame 30meg Canon EOS 5D Mark 4 on full manual settings and the Canon MP-E 65mm manual lens. Very low iso , f8, and set for flash. I use a twin arm flash set up with a very thin layer of diffuser over the flashes. The material i use is very thin cutting board material . No tripod is used as i need to be moving with the Jumper when he moves and they can travel several meters in a few minutes when they start to hunt. The secret to this photography is go SLOW and after awhile you will get to know which leaf he will move to next so set up and wait , works most of the time but you will learn more and more each time you do a secession .Inspiration
I am a bit facilitated with Jumping Spiders to start with and i think the big eyes looking at you seems to bring out the camera..Editing
Very little post -processing maybe sharpen at about 4 but the lens is very sharp so not much to do asuming you get a good image to start with. Take many shots as it wont cost you anything and you may end up with a few keepers.In my camera bag
If i am out doing the macro thing i will have the Canon 5D and the MP-E 65mm lens with a twin flash set up. No tripod no extension tubes.Feedback
Slow and steady spend a day or two if possible and find an area that has nectar or something that will attract a lot of small insects such as flies , very small spiders are a real bonus for the Jumping Spiders . Pick your weather try and go early before the breeze gets up and a slightly overcast day is a lot better. Jumping Spiders dont like full on sun so when it becomes too hot they will move back under the leaf in the shade. Another system i use to find Jumping Spiders is the find an area that you think will have a few Jumpers then sit on a small stool and watch the area directly in front of you without moving too much and if the Jumpers are there they will move back to the top of the leaf of bark and start hunting again normally in a few minutes. Remember they see you comming before you see them.
