Two spider shots

Quite happy with both of these shots. How do you guys handle spiders on webs? I find them frustrating and difficult to catch because every single time I spot a web the breeze just makes it almost impossible to accurately focus sharply on the spiders eyes...

Dave

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Glad to hear we are not alone in having wind to contend with. I dont do anything special, just have to be patient. Main problem is I normally use a shorter length lens and tend to bump into the web = end of photoshoot. If you can get side on its an interesting angle.
I like the second shot, looks sinister.

Great shots Dave! ...and yes wind sucks!

Nice shots. I have also had problems with Orb Weavers. I had two living by my pool this summer and unfortunately I didn't get my 100 2.8 in time to play with them, but I did take a few with the 28-135. The Orb-ies though have a nasty habit of bouncing the web when I would get too close. I thought at first it was the wind, but this web was-a-rockin' and there was o wind. Interesting little buggers.

Excellent shots Dave- as RM said that spider in #2 looks really sinister.
Spider in web shots are difficult not only because of wind but because of the limitation on shooting angles often present. If the web is actually vibrating from the wind (or the spider) you have just about had it for getting a decent shot. But if it's gently swaying then using a reversed sway technique (ie you stay fairly still and wait for the web/spider to swing into focus) can work. I've also in the past actually held onto the branch the web is attached to and shot one handed with fair success.
Brian V.

Hiya Dave,

Great shots, Love #2 that critter sure has a mean look about it.

Webs well we very rarely get a still day here so to capture a Web would be wonderful.

What amazes me is I can spot a Spider on its Web & the damn thing is perfectly still so I set myself up & the very second I'm ready to shoot the bloody wind kicks in & doesn't matter how long I wait the wind keeps goin, turn your back & it drops, Sods Law or just bad timing eh, hell I can feel the steam comming out my ears just thinking about it

Cheers for now

Mark

Thanks guys. RM - isn't wind a pain! Brian - that's what I pretty much do, although I don't think I'm very good at it [yet]. It's something that will take a lot of practice. Mark, the wind absolutely drives me crazy!!!

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Dave

Lovely shot of a flower spider (thomisidae) not sure on the species tho and a horizontal orb web spider (Leucage dromedaria)