This spooky spider image that I took late Friday afternoon while hiking along part the Potomac Heritage Trail is probably more suitable for later in the month, but I just couldn’t wait until Halloween to share it.
Normally when I use fill flash I try to be subtle, attempting to add a little pop without making it obvious that I used flash. In this case, you can’t help but notice my use of the popup flash. Normally I would take a shot of a spider like this with my macro lens, but I was travelling light with just my superzoom Canon SX50. The 50x zoom of this camera has helped to bring distant subjects closer, but I had never tried to use the camera’s macro mode. I quickly learned that you have to be really close to your subject, literally only a few inches away. I was pretty happy when I was able to get the second shot below, but wanted to add to the drama of the shot.
I dropped the exposure compensation in the camera down to a minus three stops and got my favorite shot. The darkened sky and the way that the flash illuminates the spider give the image a kind of creepy look that feels appropriate for a spider that was just about at eye level.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
It is interesting how different the feel of the images is with the adjustments to the level of light/dark. I happen to love spiders so I don’t find them creepy at all but I know my oldest son would wig out at that first image. I love the way the dark version really highlights the web. I found this type of spider at the preschool where I teach the other day and had it on my hands to show the kids. The kids were all fascinated and gathered around while all the adults were freaked out at the thought of me holding a spider.
Spiders are one of my controversial subjects when I post photos of them. I can almost guarantee that people will love photos of flowers and sunsets, but there is a sharp division of views with spiders and snakes. I wish we all could have more of the curiosity of kids, who seem so excited by the natural world (unlike the generally jaded adults).
Well I’m someone who will always appreciate the spiders and snakes.
🙂
It isn’t obvious that you used a flash — if you hadn’t mentioned it, then no one would know. You know what I say: Flash is your friend!
I believe you have a Neoscona here, possibly species crucifera. They are so wonderfully prickly. I doubt that anyone really is put off by the occasional presentation of one of these amid all of your lovely insect offerings.
Thanks, Gary, for the assist in identification. That species of spider is pretty common here–I was a little lazy in not identifying it. 🙂