Spider

[HCS]

Hi all,

I was trying to achieve a sort of "horror" look with this spider shot. I attach two shots from the same position, which have the flash differently placed and a slightly different crop.

Which one fulfills the "horror" brief best, if any? And of course any other comment you can give me to improve. Thanks.

[Frank Fremerey]

Second one is that a strong flashlight? Looks like sitting on a filmset

[HCS]

Second one is that a strong flashlight? Looks like sitting on a filmset

Thanks Frank.

Yes, both with flashlight. 1st one from top, a little from the back. 2nd one from righthand side, slightly below spider level.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Obviously getting closer to any spider will trigger the arachnophobia better (or faster) ... so, #2, but even closer if possible.

[Bjørn J]

The second one brings me associations to Shelob in Cirith Ungol (Lord of the Rings for the uninitiated)

[HCS]

Thanks, both Bjørns.

Bjørn R., of course, good pointer. I was trying to, but these guys (or girls) are in a sort of funnel and are not so big to start with. Every time i moved, i startled it and it disappeared into its funnel (i.e. out of sight).

I'll try how it works if i crop in more.

By the way, i wasn't necessarily after arachnophobia, but perhaps rather the eery feeling spiders can cause. It seems that i managed to surface some of that feeling with Bjørn J.

Thanks!

[pluton]

Both are good, but I like the second one because more of the surroundings, and particularly the web, are  visible.  All without being flat lighting...very nice.

[Jørgen Ramskov]

I like both but the first one gives me more of the horror feeling, likely due to it being darker.

[HCS]

Thanks Keith and Jørgen, much appreciated.

[rosko]

but these guys (or girls) are in a sort of funnel

This is definitely a male.

The second one is my favorite (better light).

It's very easy to play with these creatures :  feed them with a fly or cricket (they must be alive) but make sure you are ready to shoot !

[HCS]

This is definitely a male.

The second one is my favorite (better light).

It's very easy to play with these creatures :  feed them with a fly or cricket (they must be alive) but make sure you are ready to shoot !

Thanks, i wouldn't have any idea how i could see the difference.

Thanks for your comments.

I bet a cricket would eat it, as it is only about 1 cm (or so) big.

[rosko]

Thanks, i wouldn't have any idea how i could see the difference.

Very easy : Male looks like a boxer as both its pedipalps wear protuberance which the female doesn't. It's actually its copulating organs as it has no penis. 

 

Spider doesn't mind to fight with prey 3 or 4 times bigger...