Not meaning to brag but I believe that this is my best shot ever. (lightbox)

[JBW]

Tree Spider: Momma And Babies Day Three

Tree Spider: Momma And Babies Day Three: Sony Alpha a68 ~ Tamron 90mm 272E Macro Lens ~ISO 100 ~ Shutter Speed 1.6s ~ F/16 ~ Natural Light ~ Exposure Compensation 0.0

This image was taken at about 08:00 which created the nice shadows. She made her nest on Giant Butong bamboo behind our house. The real world size of this image is about two inches long.

Shot somewhere in the Philippines on the side of a sleepy volcano.

[Jim A]

Very delicate, Brian. I feel very inadequate indeed to offer comment on this. However, I do certainly take it on board your saying that it is your best shot ever. That in itself makes is superlative!

[JBW]

Very delicate, Brian. I feel very inadequate indeed to offer comment on this. However, I do certainly take it on board your saying that it is your best shot ever. That in itself makes is superlative!

And the last in the series. The young ones have scattered and Momma has thrown the egg sack away.

[Donald]

And if you, the photographer, believes it is, then it is.

You have to love a photograph (one of yours) to get anyone else to like it. You've done that.

[JBW]

And if you, the photographer, believes it is, then it is.

You have to love a photograph (one of yours) to get anyone else to like it. You've done that.

thank-you

[Dave Humphries]

It is certainly 'up there' Brian, but I hesitate to diminish some of your excellent past captures.

Dave

PS, perhaps if we add "so far" to the title?

[Tom Barry]

I'd go with "so far" because without that qualification, your work would be done, and we sure don't want that.

[JBW]

Dave and Tom, you're both right of course, 'yet' would have made for a better title. The reality is that I'm a slow learner which means I have not even scratched the surface for the a68/Tamron 90 combo potential. Everything from wide field astrophotography (if we ever get clear skies) to extreme macro.

Next month I'll be ordering a ToolTether beginners kit and a macro rail nd a snap on lens to up my mag.

We'll see where it goes from there.

Right now the only limitations I'm bouncing up against are the ones in my skill sets and imagination.

[Cogito]

Oh, come on Brian, you've posted at least 6 images of this spider. In your opinion, what makes this special? They are all muted brown/green indistinct images. That said, it's a nice spider! But none of them warrant the caption of "BEST".

[JBW]

Oh, come on Brian, you've posted at least 6 images of this spider. In your opinion, what makes this special? They are all muted brown/green indistinct images. That said, it's a nice spider! But none of them warrant the caption of "BEST".

If you truly believe that any of the shots I have posted of this spider or her young ones are indistinct you need new glasses and or a better monitor.

I believe that this shot deserves 'Best' for a few reasons.

(1) a unique perspective
(2) three dimensional diorama look and feel
(3)excellent DoF
(4) how it portrays the hidden nature of the subject.
(5) soft, subtle, and sharp

Any more and I'll be moving into self aggrandizement.
Brian

[Stagecoach]

I believe that this shot deserves 'Best' for a few reasons.

(1) a unique perspective

I agree this is the main reason here Brian, I trust you did not cut the bamboo down to achieve it

As for comments such as "They are all muted brown/green indistinct images" well it is a spider that's doing it's best to blend in with it's surroundings

[JBW]

I agree this is the main reason here Brian, I trust you did not cut the bamboo down to achieve it

As for comments such as "They are all muted brown/green indistinct images" well it is a spider that's doing it's best to blend in with it's surroundings

I believe in easy over hard... I rotated the shot

[Manfred M]

Brian - #10 is a good answer as you have done the analysis as to why you made the statement in the title in the first place. In my view, being able to articulate this type of information is an important skill that separates the photographer from the casual shooter.

[JBW]

Brian - #10 is a good answer as you have done the analysis as to why you made the statement in the title in the first place. In my view, being able to articulate this type of information is an important skill that separates the photographer from the casual shooter.

Fair warning Manfred this is an attempt at a trap Is this an 'interesting' image?

[FootLoose]

Nice work, Brian. Mother and children, eh. That horde of young ones recalls Dr Who for me.

[JBW]

Nice work, Brian. Mother and children, eh. That horde of young ones recalls Dr Who for me.

I'm a Dr. Who fan but there are aren't many youtube uploads so I miss the sufferance.

[Manfred M]

Fair warning Manfred this is an attempt at a trap Is this an 'interesting' image?

I’m traveling right now and viewing things on my phone, so can’t really comment. Regardless, my comment still applies, your analysis is well thought out and whether I agree with it or not is somewhat irrelevant. The important part is that you understand why you feel that you have created a strong image and have articulated that.

[Round Tuit]

"...Is this an 'interesting' image? "
Brian,
You have developped a unique relationship with this spider. It has brought you closer to what you call the Sacred, whatever that is, and your picture is a work of art that truly capture your love of all creatures. Whether Manfred, I, or anybody other than you thinks that it is interesting is beyond your control and you can only hope that it has touched someone else. We can comment on the technical aspects and the composition of the picture but what you have created is unique to you and, in my opinion, you are amply justified in being proud of your achievement.

André

[JBW]

"...Is this an 'interesting' image? "
Brian,
You have developped a unique relationship with this spider. It has brought you closer to what you call the Sacred, whatever that is, and your picture is a work of art that truly capture your love of all creatures. Whether Manfred, I, or anybody other than you thinks that it is interesting is beyond your control and you can only hope that it has touched someone else. We can comment on the technical aspects and the composition of the picture but what you have created is unique to you and, in my opinion, you are amply justified in being proud of your achievement.

André

I should explain. Manfred and I are polar opposites when it comes to technical stuff. he is very god at it and I just get lost. he once commented that very few non technical types could create 'interesting shots'. I am hoping to become one of the few.

You are absolutely right about my having formed a relationship with the spider. I am feeling somewhat lost now that she has wandered off.

You are also right that all I can reasonably hope for is that the image touches others in a good way.
Brian

[Round Tuit]

I should explain. Manfred and I are polar opposites when it comes to technical stuff. he is very god at it and I just get lost....
Brian

I would have to disagree with that statement. It might have been true five years ago or even two years ago but there is nothing lacking in the technical quality of your recent work.