Not up to the usual quality of this group but...

[wardie]

I just thought I would share these macro shots for a couple of reasons.

As a lifetime member of the arachnophobia club this is the closest I've ever been to a large spider. My ideal idea of shooting spiders is with the 100-400 @400 with the lens cap ON! (maybe with a x2TC as well). To shoot this with a 100f2.8 macro was a serious challenge. Every move it made was amplified so much my skin is still crawling 12 hours later. Sleep was seriously difficult last night.

As I did not have a flash available at the time I shot this with available light only 1/50 F2.8@ISO3200

http://www.jmbphotography.com.au/g2_webshare/d/191-2/_MG_6623.jpg

1/20 F3.2@ISO3200
http://www.jmbphotography.com.au/g2_webshare/d/194-2/_MG_6629.jpg

As I said not up to the group's high standards but small steps forward for me. :lol:

Edit: All hand held. the other 20 shots are seriously shaky!

[dpastern]

That's a fine start Wardie - I found the best way to conquer (or at least partly conquer) my arachnophobia of these superb animals is to read and learn about them. I can now touch photos of spiders, I can now touch daddy long legs, I can now let Jumping spiders and smallish orb weavers land on my hands. Webs still spook me badly, and larger spiders (like large orb weavers) still scare the hell out of me. I am slowly getting better though.

Dave

[wardie]

Thanks Dave,

Nice to know I'm not the only one who does the cobweb polka!

Wardie

[Greg_C]

Great start Wardie, as Dave says get to know these guys, they are wonderful subjects and are easily found (as you probably know).

[LordV]

Good start- as stated above an excellent way to begin to appreciate spiders.

Brian V.

[wardie]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

[dpastern]

Encouragement is owed to people who try.

Dave

[wardie]

This one is more my size.

http://www.jmbphotography.com.au/g2_webshare/d/197-2/_MG_6634.jpg

Wardie

[dpastern]

Ahh a tiny Jumping spider, very cute! Quite harmless as well, they're a good way to start investigating spiders and overcoming your fear - it's very rare for them to bite you, and even if they did, you wouldn't have any side effects. They've very curious, non aggressive, and quite friendly. I've had a few jumpers on my hands/fingers, they're always a true delight.

Dave

[wardie]

Not sure that I'm ready for that Dave.

Wardie

[dpastern]

Give it time, Jumpers will grow on you. "So cute" is a phrase I generally utter when I spot one of these beauties in the gardens! I'm sure the neighbours think that I'm mad!!!

Dave

[Kabbalah]

Yeah i feel ya wardie, i was shooting a spider the other day outside, and when he started walking around, ( i shoot macro sometimes with my liveview, 40d), and man did my skin start crawling. even though im certain he didnt bite, the look of his legs crawling around, just sent the creepy vibes thru me.
I am sure we get over it though with more practice and more shooting.

Kabbalah

[Mike4BekA]

Great start! I agree with some others it is best to read up and learn about these guys! Really they are way more tame than most people think...I used to own two tarantula's and they would crawl on me and just sit around!

Nice shots keep them coming!

[macro junkie]

shame u didnt have a flash..the high iso has screwed up your pic..

[dpastern]

shame u didnt have a flash..the high iso has screwed up your pic..

True, but he's a newbie, give him a break! It's a good effort nevertheless.

Dave

[wardie]

macro junkie - are these any better?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=444179

Wardie