The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Getting this photo was hilarious. My oldest friend (we met in the 4th grade) was behind me while kayaking and then said, hey, there’s a big stripey spider on your back heading for your hat. Up it went and I paddled to the side so I could take off my hat and see what we were dealing with. It’s a male Fierce Orbweaver and is about 1 1/4 inches with those fuzzy legs.
He really liked my hat and left a trail of silk behind him as he explored and thought it might be an ideal place to make a web. Alas it wasn’t and as much as I liked him, I transferred him to a clump of bushes and grass where he quickly set up shop as you can see. As I watched and said goodbye, another spider of a different species investigated his anchor lines of silk. As the big guy went to check it out, the other one quickly took off and hid. Good thing; most spiders are pretty blasé about cannibalism and will take anything that moves. I hope he had a good rest of the summer and will tuck in somewhere secure to overwinter.
Specific Feedback
Still not sure about the crop on this one, but I think I have it right. I have a few other frames as well, but the leg position here was the best IMO. Thoughts?
Technical Details
Handheld in the kayak and probably had a CPL on, but I’m not 100% on that.
Lr for most of the processing including raising the shadows & whites quite a bit because of the backlighting. Also bumped exposure and added some vibrance. Enhance nr & sharpening. Ps for some distraction removal.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Kris, I’m glad it was you and not me with that sized spider crawling on me. I would have probably jumped out of the kayak and into the water, which would have been worse for me since I can’t swim! I have come to love Jumping Spiders, but haven’t even got up the nerve for them to crawl on me.
What a story and photo. I like that the sky is the BG. The clouds and blue sky are a nice back drop. I think the crop works for me.
The leg positions are great - giving a sense of the spider’s motion. Ideally I’d like to see a bit more of its abdomen design, but you already used EV, raised shadows, etc; and the backlighting effects - and those great bokeh balls mixing with the clouds - more than make up for this. If I’d known it was Fierce I might have removed it less delicately and missed the chance for such an interesting shot. Nice one!
thanks @linda_mellor, @Shirley_Freeman & @Mike_Friel - it was a really fun experience since I love spiders and don’t mind them on me. This guy was curious and just wanted to hitch a ride. I wish he’d posed a bit better for me, or at least slowed down, but he was very active and so this is the best I could do. The bg definitely helped a lot with isolating him. Only she and I could have had this experience, honestly, we’re both calm and in awe of nature, not fearful. We laughed a lot and it was one of our best experiences together in our adult lives.
Kris: Experiences like you describe are so special and thanks for sharing. I still envy your kayak and the opportunities you get. You probably were not expecting this but good on you for being adaptable and flexible. I do like your angle and the bokeh. They say luck happens to the well prepared and clearly you were that. Well done. >=))>
Thanks @Bill_Fach - I miss kayaking already since I won’t realistically be back on the water until May or so. Almost every time I go out I have some great moments or an interesting encounter. It’s my joy.
I missed this one while off in the stars (which will continue competing for my attention until I burn out) – wonderful capture and story! A very well-deserved EP! Love the bokeh balls!
Thanks @Mark_Seaver & @Diane_Miller - the bokeh balls really made this shot and it’s a funny thing about the stick - the original has two that basically frame our Fierce little guy. But I felt that having two was well, too much and so I cloned out the other. It’s been a long time since I handled an orb weaver and was again startled at just how much silk they tend to lay as they walk around. Relatively thick bands of it trailed behind him as he explored my hat thoroughly. No doubt he has little to fear if he could fear that he would fall.
