Inverted Spider

I really like these colors and the reflection of the green on the spider, especially in the larger photo. I think it would maybe be good if you could clone out the two bright spots on the left and the one near the upper right and/or maybe do a much closer crop.

I don't believe in cloning to remove or modify anything in a nature photo - it's manipulation, stated or not and will falsify the image. I never do that. It's my personal philosophy coming from 30 years as a newspaper photographer. The cropping: Well, there was a time when I cropped everything tight, but no more. The atmosphere of the setting would be diminished and the scale of the spider would be compromised. Some argue that a tight crop focuses the viewers attention directly on the "most important" part of the photo or subject. I reject that notion completely; it's simplistic and over used. Rather, composition among the elements in a photo, light, scale and framing are what I consider important in a photograph. In my opinion just because a subject is "big" in the frame (by cropping) doesn't necessarily add impact or quality to an image.

I agree with Barbara that the crop should have been tighter, this would have been a fantastic photo with a closer crop, as is it is still pretty nice. It's debatable whether the bright spots are too distracting or whether they add to the comp by providing shapes/backlighting. I could take or leave them. The main problem i see is the main blade of grass up front, besides being OOF its a bit blocky and at a slightly discomforting angle compared to the more pleasing lines in the bg.

Here is something that is a bit hidden on this site, but it should be mandatory reading for all members:

From the 'Art of Image Critique', by the owner of this website (my italics added):

One of the worst mistakes that can be made by the person posting an image is to debate a critique After all, the viewer offering the critique has taken the time at the poster's request to share their thoughts on what pleases or displeases them about the image, and to offer their advice on what they believe can be done to improve it. The nature of the process almost guarantees that there will be comments made about the image that the poster (or other viewers) will whole-heatedly disagree with. But to debate the validity of a specific critique is ludicrous; if the person who posts the image is not prepared to accept the results (both good and bad) of the "poll," they should not post it in the first place! However, it is appropriate to ask a viewer to clarify his or her comments if those comments are not entirely clear, providing the viewer is asked for their additional time and effort in a congenial, non-argumentative manner. In all cases, critique should not be taken personally, but rather at face value, nor should the critique of a photographic image be misconstrued as an indictment of one's lack of ability.

When an image is posted for critique, the person who posts it should be prepared to take all comments, both good and bad, and to do so in a respectful and appreciative manner.