The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Another from my trek outside with the macro lens. This spring a pot of my Coreopsis didn’t come up at all, so being that the deer don’t eat it, I planted more and added this species to the other variety that I have elsewhere. Like the Black Eyed Susans a few feet away, these attract all kinds of wee creatures like this Crab Spider. I hope they can survive until next year since they seem so popular. Oh and the reach of that hug is only about 7 or so mm wide. Tiny, but deadly.
Specific Feedback
I left a lot of the color in the flower since the spider has changed its color to match, something I’ve seen many Crab Spiders do over the years. Did I make the right choice?
Technical Details
Handheld w/on shoe TTL flash at about +1/3 exposure
Lr for everything including a crop and lots of masking to emphasize the spider in her exposed lair. Added RAW details, sharpening some texture and clarity. A little WB correction and pulled up the mid tones in the curves tool.
Critique Template
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They are lurkers, aren’t they? You caught the embrace pose so well, Kris and the face is beautifully detailed. I didn’t know that they change color - always thought that was just reflection from the petals - very interesting. My one suggestion here would be to brighten the whole shot a bit (using mid-tones?), but it may be my eyes only.
Kris: Great look at this little guy. I especially like your DOF management and the flash is imperceptible. My less than 1 cent nit is I would make some of the dirt spots on the petals go away but I’m stretching even for that. Nice find and a fine capture. >=))>
Kris, I like this the way it is. Amazing how he changed his color to match the flower so he could surprise the unsuspecting prey with a “hug”. Well done!
Superb job nailing the focus right where it needs to be, Kris. That face and the front legs are awesome. It may have been in plain sight, but the protective coloration is superb.
Thanks @Mike_Friel, @Bill_Fach, @Shirley_Freeman & @Dennis_Plank - I just love crab spiders in all their glorious colors. If I remember rightly I had focus peaking on and could see exactly where I needed to be.
One thing I love about these guys is that when they can, they construct hides or blinds by bending flower petals up and over, securing them with silk and then lurking underneath. It’s amazing and I’ve only been able to photograph it once, but it was cool.
I’ve put a new shot up there as the first one felt lifeless somehow. Thoughts???
The new image does have more pop, Kris. With such a small color space it’s pretty difficult to make the subject really pop from the background, but I think the relatively shallow depth of field combined with the textures of the hairs and the eyes does the trick.
Kris, this is a fine look at this little crab spider. I photographed them regularly in my sunny garden and they do change color to blend with the flower where they’re lurking. You got the focus just right here, showing the legs and face very well. I actually like the slightly darker (stronger) colors in the original, but both are fine views. I’ve also caught them with prey, skipper butterflies.
Thanks again @Dennis_Plank & @Mark_Seaver - the color change is amazing isn’t it? I’ve seen them with prey as well, but have never caught the pounce. Oh spiders, they’re so quick.
