Sometimes the easiest way to shoot a macro subject is indoors, under carefully controlled conditions. Because the forecast this weekend called for rain, and I had a lot of writing to get done, I spent the weekend at school without any real outdoor adventure. I took a few hours to shoot some captive arthropods and a salmonberry flower from outside the school. I took some time to illustrate the effect of different background lighting on some of the subjects. Besides the photos you see below, the other results of the Weekend Expedition were mixed: my paper needs major surgery*, and the sac spider you see above escaped during a photo shoot. Good for the spider, not so good for me! Anyway, enjoy, and let me know what you think!
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- Another of the sac spider…So gorgeous with his velvety abdomen.
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- The following images illustrate how the background lighting may affect the mood. This is done in the “meet your neighbours” style. http://meetyourneighbours.net
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- With a gradient and hard rim light from behind.
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- darker gradient and rim
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- black background, hard rim light
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- MYN style
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- Molting male Western Black Widow…Spiders are so helpless at this stage. I am especially intrigued by the greenish colour.
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- Same subject, different background.
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- Starting to harden up and recover movement.
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- Starting to harden up and recover movement.
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- MYN Salmonberry.
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- failed MYN widow.
*the good news is Catherine is helping with the “paper surgery”…I think I was just stuck and in need of an outside perspective.
Sean, these images are beautiful. Great job.
And hey, step back and listen to Catherine’s suggestions on the writing. No arguing, just do it. You will be surprised and that Catherine….she is a wise woman.
I know. That is why I asked for her help.
I’ve never seen a spider molting… 😀 ! Your images are great and it looks like you enjoyed yourself this weekend! Hopefully it gave you some time away from the paper to take a breather and come back fresh.
I am glad to have shown you a spider molt! Thanks for the kind words!
Gosh, Sean! Excellent results. I wish my house bugs were as interesting as yours!
Thanks! The sac spider came form our house, but the black widow and the stick insect are in the lab.