Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Nursery Web Spider
‹ PreviousMacro & Close-up GalleryNext ›

Nursery Web Spider

by Phil Pogledich

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted September 12, 2010492 views9 comments
A nursery web spider with prey inside of a California poppy. I took this last spring and don't know why I haven't posted it for review. I greatly appeciate any comments or critiques.

Canon 5D, Tamron 90mm, 1/40 second at f/16 (ISO 400).

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Daniel Cartamil on September 12, 2010 at 1:26 PM
I dont know about all the extra space at the top, but the subject is pretty cool!
Registered on November 15, 2007, 50 Posts, 601 Comments
Comment posted by Carol Hyman on September 12, 2010 at 4:34 PM
Hi Phil, It took me a moment to realize I was looking at the inside of a California Poppy.

I too feel as though a more intimate crop is necessary so your spider stands out more.

:wavey:

Carol
Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments
Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on September 12, 2010 at 4:42 PM
Bummer for the bee! :eek:

I like the strong, almost monochromatic colors here, good details and contrast. I agree with others about the extra space on top. Maybe a square crop to keep the viewers eye on the subject?

Nicely done. :smile:
Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments
Comment posted by Balakumar Kaushik on September 12, 2010 at 6:58 PM
Wow, nice action. Very well seen and captured. Love the striking orange surrounding the action.
I pretty much liked the composition here.
Registered on January 4, 2008, 98 Posts, 1403 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on September 13, 2010 at 3:02 AM
Phil:
Great find and beautiful capture of the action. I like the expanse of the orange bg pretty much the way as it is posted.
Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on September 13, 2010 at 10:29 AM
very cool.
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on September 13, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Thanks so much for the input to this point! As far as the composition, both in the field and in post-processing I considered whether to take more off the top. I ended up leaving it as you see here . . . essentially the same as it was shot. From my perspective, the faint lines of the petals contribute to the composition because they begin to converge near the spider, helping to lead the eye. I also like the feeling of warmth that comes from including more of the poppy. That said, I certainly appreciate the contrary views as it gives me some food for thought.
Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Moats on September 13, 2010 at 8:11 PM
Hey Phil very cool find, and well done on the shot. :toast:
Registered on October 20, 2004, 892 Posts, 6324 Comments
Comment posted by Sandy Steinman on September 13, 2010 at 8:56 PM
Well captured. I like this a lot. I was wondering about compromising on the crop suggestions made. Maybe taking about 15% off the top. It would slightly reduce the large space but still preserve the subtle leading lines.

I am a big fan of California poppies. If you have never seen George Lepp's web gallery on California poppies http://www.georgelepp.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=20 or his book(both are exclusively photos of Calif. poppies you might want to check them out.

Sandy
Berkeley, CA
Natural History Wanderings
[url] http://picasaweb.google.com/sandysteinman[/url
Registered on March 14, 2010, 10 Posts, 83 Comments