The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Now that winter has passed I have been noticing a lot of spiders appearing around my house. I noticed this small web and its occupant suspended between two small pine trees, so I immediately got out my camera and macro lens to capture an image. It wasn’t easy as the breeze was gently blowing the web back and forth. I managed to get in close and fire off several shots, hoping one or two might be in acceptable focus. As anyone who shoots macro can tell you, this can be tricky especially when hand holding the camera as I was doing this time. This spider was actually quite small, no more than a centimeter in diameter. The macro lens makes it appear much larger and imposing.
Specific Feedback
Any general feedback and comments regarding this image would be appreciated. Thanks.
Technical Details
Canon R6, 60mm Macro lens
f/8, 1/250 sec, ISO 400
Processed in ACR, and then in Topaz Photo Ai to denoise and sharpen somewhat.
It was taken in bright sunlight, so there were a lot of highlights on the spider and web that I had to reduce in post.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
You dealt very well with the bright light on the spider (maybe a polarizing filter would have helped too). I’d be tempted to crop a bit from the left so that the colorful refractions on the upper left strand hit the corner and the subject is not so central. As for the colors of those strands, they could be brought out more possibly by selecting the spider, inverting and then playing around with the tonal sliders like Highlights or Curves in PS to bring out the colors more. I’ve played around with this and added a rough and ready version below - hope you don’t mind. All personal taste; probably the spider should stand out as the star, as it does in the original.
Ted: Great look at this critter and the web highlights are a great complement. I do like what @Mike_Friel did but I can see the centered crop working well also. I have spent many frustrating sessions with spiders and wind so appreciate the difficulty involved. Thank goodness for the delete button! Nicely done. >=))>
Ted, this is a fine catch on this little spider and her web. She’s nicely sharp and you’ve got lots of diffractive color in the oof highlights from the web. Yes, getting this much sharpness in a spider and her web is a big challenge. I do wish the hightlights on her weren’t so strong…need a day with light overcast for slightly softer lighting while still getting most of the contrast and highlights.
Thank you @Mark_Seaver@Mike_Friel@Bill_Fach. As I mentioned in my description, the highlights on the spider were somewhat troubling as the photo was taken in harsh midday light. I toned them down a bit, but going further made the spider look funny to me. A little tricky but it was worth the effort. Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated.
