The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
My wife mentioned a spider yesterday evening, but I prefer to shoot them in the morning. We had some nice fog to cover everything with dew this morning so I went out to look. Lots of spider webs around and I found two with reasonable accessibility (one from the top view and one from the bottom). Despite a rising breeze I was able to get some stacks, though I had to crop to avoid the outer areas of the web (way too much cleanup in the stack when the web is moving).
Specific Feedback
The web was difficult in the bottom view where it crossed the body because the stacking software wanted to keep the body layer even where the drops were in front of it. I played with cleaning it up-does it look too horrible? These spiders always stay head down when they’re resting, would it work better to rotate them?
Technical Details
Both images, Sony A7Riv with 70-200 f/4 semi-macro on a tripod.
Top View: 7 image stack, 200 mm, f/14, 1/125, iso 1000.
Bottom View: 15 image stack, 161 mm, f/6.3, 1/320, iso 1000.
Stacking in Helicon Focus method B. Processing in LR & PS CC.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Dennis - these are both just exceptional!! October is the prime time for these big guys in the PNW, and the dew from the cool nights can coat the webs perfectly - as here!
The detail in the spider and sharpness of the dew drops on the web is just engrossing. I especially like the second image, with the spider behind the web and all the dew drops along the web and in front of him.
Remarkable! and fine stacking
Dennis, these are indeed both exceptional. Nice work with the stacking. I too like the bottom view best with the dewy web under the spider. Nice BG to set the spider and web off against too.
Dennis, I think you did a super job with this. Just full of dew drops. I think it would look strange if I understand what you are saying about rotating, because to put their heads upward like we would prefer seeing them, the dew drops would be hanging upwards too, which wouldn’t be normal. I have never got out and shot spiders in the dew. I might need to look for an opportunity.
These are both so great! Love that you got both sides of her on her dewy web. Head down works well since that’s mostly how we see them, at least those of us not flailing and screaming while running away.
The stack looks mostly good, good enough anyway as I know how difficult it is to deal with deep subjects with this level of complexity. There’s enough detail and interest to keep us from really seeing some of the gaps. Great work!
This is Spider Month, hence the group Arachtober on Flickr, if you’re interested.
The first shot is great; the second one could benefit from a little retouching of the drops in front of the body (as you mention) - but maybe there were no totally sharp shots here; no probs. And anyway, the drops are stunning in Photo 2, owing to the sun’s position.
Dennis, you’ve got two fine looks here. I prefer the first one, because she’s above the web, so there are not problems with dof blurring. In the second one, there is a noticeable amount of overlap blurring where the drops cross her body. As a very minor nit, I think a touch burning on her abdomen would let the details show a bit better.
