Nikon F90x, Nikon 200 macro lens, exposure unrecorded A well camoflaged lynx spider waits patiently in the leaves of flowers for its unsuspecting prey.

-- Donna Bollenbach (cassidy@icubed.net), May 24, 1999

Answers

-- Joe Cheatwood (cheatwoo@ufl.edu), May 24, 1999.

Great close-up! Excellent light, excellent DOF, great dew, great subject. I think that another way to shoot this subject would be the get a little closer. I feel that the flowers don't add to the spider and prey, in fact the flowers may compete for the viewer's interest. I'm sure that it was the spider that caught your eye, just shot that.

Again, great close-up. You make close-ups look easy, which they are not. Please keep them coming.

-- Les Saucier (skincamp@skybest.com), May 25, 1999.

I like the flowers in there, particularly since they're yellow, complimenting the yellow in the spider's legs. Makes the eyes roam around the image--not as a distraction, but to take it all in. Would be hard to isolate that back leg which is touching the back flower. Also gives a "finished end" to the subject at the top.

Nice clean background, only tiny nitpick is on the left side the leg touches the edge of the picture.

Nice shot!

-- Rose-Marie Burke (rmbehr@istar.ca), May 25, 1999.

I also like the flowers. They make the viewer think about the spider lurking beneath the attractive flowers, ready to pounce on any insect foolish enough to stop by for some pollen. The detail on the spider's body and legs are really excellent, as is the color. One of the best spider shots I've seen posted.

-- John Sullivan (sullivan@spies.com), May 25, 1999.

Very professionally done.

Watch your "framing" though. The leg on the left is dangerously close to the edge and reduces your options for matting/framing, or artistic edge treatements that may be desired by a client.

Keep shooting & posting, this is great stuff!

Cheers,

Keith

-- Keith Clark (ClarkPhotography@spiritone.com), May 26, 1999.