Jumping SPiders gotta be the dang cutest thing ever

[ClaudioG]

Hey all..k, im pretty happy i got this guy like i did..he's about 3-5mm big. So..focus not 100% spot on..but im happy.

In fact #3 has got to be my all time favourite photo i've taken since i got my camera, i can just relate to it.

All shooting at f11 with flash and diffuser. Nikon D5100, Tamron macro 90mm

He's awesome.. so gonna name him....Raul

#1


#2


#3 This is my Fave, Reminds me alot of the early days when ya not so sure of something and ya just checking everything out first, just bfor u jump

[Stagecoach]

Hi Claudio,

Great series of Raul. They are all extremely good but for me No 2 has the edge when looked at full screen, it's the eyes.

A question, these are shot at f11 in aperture priority, is there a reason you do not stop down a bit without increasing ISO to increase the DOF? Is it because you are limited by flash power or trying to remain on the lens sweet spot for max IQ?

I urge anyone to look at these full size for max benefit !

Grahame

[ClaudioG]

Hi Graham.. look...i do agree.. i shouldve gone to about F16 maybe..i was using flash to light up the scene.
I think its because im trying to get in at exactly 1-1 all the time,so my DOF is so little, and ontop of that, i prefer my macro to have the head or eye in focus but the rest, at least for me, i prefer to be OOF..but..its alot of hit and miss..as you can see. Am i making sense here?

I actually like shooting at about F8 usually with macro .

Do you mind me asking what you usually shoot at? aperture? Distance? Does it greatly depend on bug size?

Totally agree..#2 is just a step ahead on focus on the eyes...im as upset as you
I am getting a set of Kenko extension tubes for my Birthday at end off month...so..im guessing you gonna hear alot from me about better focusing, so any advice is greatly appreciated

[wilgk]

Excellent work these little guys are the only spiders this arachnophobe can bear to look at!

[Stagecoach]

Hi Graham.. look...i do agree.. i shouldve gone to about F16 maybe..i was using flash to light up the scene.
I think its because im trying to get in at exactly 1-1 all the time,so my DOF is so little, and ontop of that, i prefer my macro to have the head or eye in focus but the rest, at least for me, i prefer to be OOF..but..its alot of hit and miss..as you can see. Am i making sense here?

I actually like shooting at about F8 usually with macro .

Do you mind me asking what you usually shoot at? aperture? Distance? Does it greatly depend on bug size?

Totally agree..#2 is just a step ahead on focus on the eyes...im as upset as you
I am getting a set of Kenko extension tubes for my Birthday at end off month...so..im guessing you gonna hear alot from me about better focusing, so any advice is greatly appreciated

Hi Claudio,

I was interested as to your reasoning for using f11 rather than a concern that the image needed more DoF, I do not think it does and as long as the critical parts show spot on sharpness, the eyes, face and a couple of legs as in this case I think it gives it more impact/appeal than a 100% sharp critter.

This was a pretty small critter and looking at the full screen image the IQ is impressive and I wonder how much this is helped by using the wider aperture?

Most of my work I tend to use around f16 to f22 but this of course is on a lens that indicates up to f40 odd which I have never fully got my understanding around. For 1:1 magnification the 105mm has a subject distance of 314mm but with the tubes that of course reduces along with the DoF and hence smaller apertures often needed.

As for advice on better focusing, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm if hand holding focus near enough manually and then move the camera (your body) back and forth and press that shutter the instant your subject point is sharp in the viewfinder. Repeat again and again and again....................

Grahame

[ClaudioG]

The again again again part is where i am . Im shooting both with and without flash.
Yeh and im shooting hand held and manual focus. So F16 and F22..are you getting enough OOF BG like that? Maybe i should give it a go..to be honest i go up to F16 max.

Hmmm, will give it a go.

Was just out chasing butterflies, .............ya....who the hell came up with Photographing butterflys???? they dont stop... i thought maybe moving towqards the guys and them continuosly flying off might tire them out..... so im taking a break now..Cos that didnt work.

I did ask previously about Extension tubes.. i believe there is no loss of light or quality with it, would you recommend me getting them for my Macro 90mm lens? I dont mind getting close, and patience is a virtue(Which i need to develop anyway)

Ps..these images are zoomed in to about 33.33%--50%..is this ok for Post processing on macro?

[Sergio M.]

Claudio, these are wonderful. The color and clarity are excellent. As Grahame said, they need to be seen full size to truly appreciate.

Sergio

[dabhand]

Claudio - you could try sprinkling a little sugar water (10:1 water:sugar) / leaving a piece of rotting fruit in an area where the butterflies are more prevalent, it might just hold them long enough for you.

BTW Raul #2 is my favourite, sorta shows the misplaced confidence that hits him in #3 - great series though.

[deetheturk]

Hi Claudio,what a great set,I can't make my mind up what one is my favourite,they are all very good and boy do I know how hard these little guys are to shoot!

When I'm shooting macro I am somewhere between f9 and f14,why? because the guys I have been looking at who are second to none at macro use these settings and if it works for them it's gotta be good! Have a look at Lord Vetrani on flicker and Dalantech both superb.

Keep up the good work bud!

[ClaudioG]

i just wanted to ask about this befor and forgot..in the 1st one..why are his teeth in full focus..and his eys not as sharp..and same with the leg..half is sharp half isnt..i can tfigure out how the plain of focus goes on this image..i mean..it's literally less than 1mm between teeth and eyes?????
An then the 2 eyes further back are in focus.... is it possible it was eye movement that the 2 in middle arent as sharp?

[deetheturk]

Hi Claudio,yes its almost certainly movement,these little guys are constantly twitching and moving about,the last time i was trying to shoot one i would get him in perfect focus then he would jump out of frame,but when it goes right like yours,its worth all the hassle

[ClaudioG]

Thanks bud..i was very lucky..i was actually setting up to take an image of the flower..and this little guy creeped out from under..it was amazin luck really. never wouldve found him if i was looking for one. They tiny.

[deetheturk]

This little guy has got a lot more hair than yours I am not 100% happy with focus but i think he's quite cool,what ya think? He just moved a tiny bit but at 1-1 mag the damage is done!

[deetheturk]

In photography,especially Macro,we all need a bit of luck

[Saorsa]

If you are shooting macro outdoors, in the wild, it's pretty hard to deal with your own minimal hand motions and the effects of wind and subject motion.

I like #3 too. It shows a certain amount of intention to act where the others seem a more static pose.

[ClaudioG]

Looks like he's just stumbled outta the acupuncture rooms David

Yeh it is very difficult hand holding Saorsa. I was lying down quite uncomfortably. I've seen other pple use "other" methods. I wont go that way..this is a hobby..and i wouldnt have it any other way. Who knows..maybe those people come back as jumping spiders and i'll have them in my sights, and they can thank whoever that i aint gonna freeze em. No offense to anyone of any religion or anything hey.

[RustBeltRaw]

#3 takes it. You managed to get a cute photo of a spider, which sort of boggles my mind. I don't mind them, but neither do I expect complex gesture or real emotion in a photo of one.

[Stagecoach]

I did ask previously about Extension tubes.. i believe there is no loss of light or quality with it, would you recommend me getting them for my Macro 90mm lens? I dont mind getting close, and patience is a virtue(Which i need to develop anyway)

Ps..these images are zoomed in to about 33.33%--50%..is this ok for Post processing on macro?

Hi Claudio,

Re the extension tubes, I consider they are well worth having. Not necessary for every shot but they give you more to explore in the field of macro. No doubt there will be a technical reason somewhere that there is an almost unmeasurable actual loss of quality or light with them but as with everything photographic it comes down to balance and compromise.

With regard to cropping and PP as with any image it comes down to the IQ 'standard' you want to produce and also show to others. Personally, if I can produce an image at the size you have for No 2 at that quality I would have achieved my goals.

Grahame

[Brownbear]

Raul is adorable! Wonderful series.

[Letrow]

Great shots Claudio, I love the eyes on that spider.