Spiders - tips?

[samuri]

Hi,
I've recently started macro photography and have experimented with a variety of cheap setups. I've settled now with some extender tubes, a reversing ring, an old 50mm f1.8 35mm lens with manual aperture ring and a flash with dispersing filter which all seems to be working quite well. (This is on a 400D). I anticipated getting good shots being quite hard work so I've spent a lot of time practising and I'm starting to get shots I'm happy with. Moths and some flys will happily hold their ground while I move the lens around centimetres from their face. See below for my favourite so far.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3659769594_c72ab39d07_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/53067724@N00/3659769594/)

However, inspired by other photographers efforts I want to try and get some spiders but they just won't stand still. As soon as the lens gets anywhere near them to start to leg it. Any tips on getting them to stay where they are? This is for 'house' spiders in the UK, we don't get anything bigger than a couple of inches here and even then they're very timid and will run rather than fight.

The best I've got so far is this one but I couldn't get him to face the camera despite chasing him for twenty minutes or so (which may be why he didn't want to stand still).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/3687479381_5ba723df7b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/53067724@N00/3687479381/)

My son has suggested tying a fly to the end of the lens. ;-)

[markyb555]

Hi,
As soon as the lens gets anywhere near them to start to leg it.

This made me LOL.. Just look at it from the the poor little spidee's point of view. Id most certainly leg it if i had a big round thing after me! :)

My son has suggested tying a fly to the end of the lens. ;-)

Extremely smart kid you got there..

I had seen a few people on here put insects into a white nivea hand creame tub and photograph them in there. Which will keep them somewhat contained?

There is also a old saying.. never work with kids or animals (arachnids included ;))

[samuri]

;-) I've tried putting them in a tub but they just scurry round and round like crazy fools and I really want to get some face shots. Looks like I might have to try the fly bait.

[meganparkerphoto]

I think the ones you've posted are cool!

[LordV]

Think with spiders as most insects, you are better off observing them from a distance and wait for them to stop moving and then move in very slowly trying to keep low to the subject. Once you start chasing them you tend to be on "wild goose chase" - they never stop still. With house spiders, I have successfully trapped them with a piece of card and a glass and then put them in a slightly dark place.They will often settle down on the card and you can lift the glass (very carefully) to photograph them- but be ready to put it down again :)
Brian V.

[Baselerd]

I find spiders are the easiest to photograph (for me). If I find a web that is easy to access, I can usually get in for close up shots and they don't even move.

[AbPho]

....we don't get anything bigger than a couple of inches here...Okay. Anyone else scared here? A couple of inches. That is HUGE.... Who needs a macro. I got a 400mm laying around here someplace. Let me go get it.

The best I've got so far is this one...
Patience. Knowing that if this spider does not work then there will always be another one. When they are preoccupied is the best time. Such as eating, screwing, killing something, or when they are cold. Some people put the insects in the fridge for a while. Or was that the freezer. I think that's cruel. Sticking a 100 megawatt light in their face should be torture enough. Imaging getting hit by that much light and having eight eyes.

The type of spider (I think generally known as orb spiders) you captured, I find, makes for an ugly / difficult pictures. Their heads are between their legs. The legs get in the way of focusing. I like jumping spiders and wolf spiders. Jumping spiders have their heads above the legs. Wolf spiders hold their legs to the side.

[alann]

It is more difficult for you in one respect because with a reversed lens and tubes you have to get very close to your subject. When I got my 100mm Macro lens it became much easier! Keep it up and one day you will suddenly realize that you have "gotten the hang of it". It will happen. :)