The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Not sure if this is the same Crab spider from the other shot, but it’s on the same plant, just a different flower. And with lunch this time. At one point while I was trying to find angles, a bumblebee came along and scared the spider, making it hide under a petal. But it came out again and I was able to find an angle where the fly’s wings weren’t in the Crab’s face. This one’s abdomen is less red than the first one, but it’s just as tiny - about 7mm across those front legs. Could be the same one or different, there are many.
Specific Feedback
It was breezy and just never quit, so not much DOF here, but I think it’s good where it is. I have another where more of the hairs toward the back are in focus, but the pedi palps and jaws are a tad softer, so I opted for this one. Good? How about the OOF fly. It’s big and takes up a lot of real estate, but I can’t really change that. Help meee indeed.
Lr for a bit of a crop, mid tone lift & wb shift and some masking and global adjustments to make the spider separate from the background. Subject masking, radial masking with emphasis on clarity & texture for the spider, and reducing color, texture and exposure for the surrounding flower. Some sharpening and noise reduction although it didn’t need much.
Critique Template
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The face of the spider is nice and sharp. I think that your position taken when shooting worked well. Comp is fine, but I would like to have more DOF. You should try smaller apertures to get the most DOF for these little critters. Certainly, it is worth a try. Other than that, Well done…Jim
Yeah, I probably could have closed down more, but didn’t have the presence of mind. I was in the middle of making earrings and a ring at the bench and only took a walk outside for a few seconds when I saw this. Maybe if I get lucky again.
Nice job on the crab spider, Kris. I like the detail and the processing looks spot on. Here’s another vote for more depth of field as I think it would really be great if the lunch was also in focus.
Kris, I’m sure glad you took your little walk and saw this. Yes, more DOF would have been nice, for sure, but I know what you mean about not having presence of mind to think to dial down the aperture. I can’t count how many times I have done that. Take several photos with the same settings! Still a nice shot. Sharp face on the spider.
Kris, I think this is a great image! Love the spider. I’m not so keen on flies, so having him a bit out of focus doesn’t worry me one bit. The spiders face is sharp, showing he’s got his lunch sorted.
I struggle with settings for macro most of the time.
Kris: I have to admit that the OOF fly caught my attention and pulled it away from the great capture of the spider. Spur of the moment can sometimes be tricky but I think you did well overall. A smaller aperture or a two or three image mini-stack to get the heads of crab and prey might be another way to clean up the focus issues. Still, an image I would be happy to have and good on you for taking the opportunity. >=))>
I agree with the others about the aperture setting, but I know how often I don’t get it right. Your capture of the spider’s eyes is spot-on, and makes this shot for me. It certainly was a great angle to show off both hunter and hunted.
Kris, the head, eyes and hair of “crabby” are nicely sharp. The overall yellow and their variety look good also. While the prey is soft, it’s recognizable, which is good. I’ve seen these catch skipper butterflies, who are bigger than this fly, so they’re dangerous predators.
Thanks @Dennis_Plank, @Shirley_Freeman, @Mike_Friel, @glennie, @Bill_Fach & @Mark_Seaver - at least I got those eyes, right? I may have two shots that can be stacked, but I’m not sure there isn’t a gap in there. Could have a look and give it a try. Not sure all of the fly is in focus though.
