Okay, I don't actually live in mid-air. But this is close to where I live, and there are similar spiders about 10 feet from my froont door. I really could've (should've?) submitted this to "Enemies," but I didn't have a "Where I Live" entry for June 1st, and not having one for June 2nd would be ...unacceptable :).
It seems everyone likes the effect the flash gives it; That's great, because the image was taken at 9 PM and there wasn't really a lot of ambient light.
Shot at 55mm with no close-up attachments at almost minimum focus, ISO 200, so there really was no way I could get any higher detail. Makes me wish I had brought my Hoya close-up lens set. Check out the full-size image to see a 100% crop of it.
For this subject, the flash does give it a lot of contrast, and highlights the details of the spider. The empty dark BG also helps to make it stand out with no distractions. I also see the faint lines of the web in the corner, which is just enough to give it some setting.
If you want to use flash on subjects that are very close to the camera and not have such a strong single point lighting, try cutting a styrofoam cup to cover your flash and diffuse the light. Even a piece of white paper works pretty good for that.
You have been on DPC a long time. It's good to see you getting involved more.
Gorgeous close up. I think the lighting was fantastic and the detail really stand out. I like the glimpses of the web that just peek out of the darkness.
looks brilliant .. love the flash it makes the spider look almost like a graphic design .. a graphic design of a spider .. !! .. love the delicate web he/she's hanging from .. great shot ..:)
Actually, I like the flash effect. Makes it a bit more like a science fiction movie still. Sharpness great. It isn't easy to make them pose parallel to the lens surface.
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