Shadow Play. Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hi all.

Out playing in my garden with my macro lens (Old 50mm standard with close-up filter) and captured this spider shadow on a Nikau Palm frond. The spider is about 7 or 8mm long, species unknown. I guess also he is another of my welcome visitors.

Nikau Palms are the southern most growing palm tree and grow down to NZ,s south island. This particular tree is just a juvenile and stands less that 2m tall, in WS a full grown tree I photographed on the Manawatu Gorge Walk.

Enjoy, Paul.

Matthew-Watt, edytungkal, ktanska, pat0500, AiresSantos, ChrisJ, Photo65Net, emjleclercq, jhm, josepmarin, alainh, Tue, pboehringer, isabela_sor, axiotea, danos, jafadabret, devimeuxbe, jaywalker, plimrn, kiwi_explorer, Muse, gurselerdener, Henryk_Bilor, riclopes, Charo, MLINES, alvaraalto, adores, Didi, subhendu_bagchi trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

sined (4483) 2008-01-03 22:39

magic meeting you share with us !

UnTrained (0) 2008-01-03 22:44

Hi Paul,
interesting graphical effect and also one by the light. The shadow of the spider and the structure of the leave together create something astonishing. Wonderful clarity and sharpness.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

edytungkal (4519) 2008-01-03 23:44

A fine macro picture with nice spider's shadow, the colours and lighting are perfect. Nice try Paul, i like this shot.

daniel

ktanska (16667) 2008-01-03 23:52

Hi Paul,
Showing the spider as a shadow makes this more original and poetic. Backlit leaf has beautiful green glow. Good framing. Sharp macro.
Kari

pat0500 (21513) 2008-01-04 0:05

Hi Paul,
Very nice composition, I like the shadow, good framing and beautiful colours.
Best regards,
Happy new Year 2008.
Patrick

AiresSantos (42544) 2008-01-04 0:42

Hi Paul,
Perfect details in this wonderful composition. I like how you framed it and how you manged the light. Excellent photojob

My best wishes

Aires

ChrisJ (70357) 2008-01-04 0:50

Hi Paul

Good macro shot of the backlit leaf, & silhouetted spider. I like the translucence of the green blade, & the neutral, uncluttered grey bg, helped with the compo. Tfs!

dip (12714) 2008-01-04 0:54

Hi Paul,
well seen and captured,interesting detail with good lighting and nice colours,
well done!
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Matthew-Watt (4467) 2008-01-04 1:04

Hello Paul,

My guess is that it is a Lynx Spider, similar to the species Peucetia Thorell, because of its distinctive tapered tail and also long back legs. They do not often build webs and tend to roam around to stalk prey. Harmless to people.

This really is an effective capture, the outline of the spider is probably enough to chill any arachnophobic. I really enjoy the clear detail of the Nikau palm's leaf, the streaking is very attractive. The reflected light prism in the lower left is ok, it seems to add a bit of character to the frame. Well done. Now let's see if you can photograph a Moa!

Matt

Photo65Net (43096) 2008-01-04 1:09

Paul,
A nice idea, I like a lot how you played with this spider shadow.
Very nice exposure, a beautiful and original image.
Regards,
JB.

delkoo (34564) 2008-01-04 1:24

hi paul,
cleverly framed, nice spider's shadow,the vibrant light through the leaf is also well seen, as well as the diagonal composition.

best regards
didier

emjleclercq (14400) 2008-01-04 1:25

A very nice catch, and the leave makes a beautifull green background for this ghost spider.

All the best,

Emmanuel

MarcT (21103) 2008-01-04 1:32

Hi Paul,
Very special picture, great colors and... best wishes for you in 08.
Cheers
Marc

jhm (82949) 2008-01-04 4:22

Hello Paul,

I have a lot admiration for this lovely experimental picture.
The long lines in the structure of this leaf and the wonderful shadow of the spider, this give a nice composition.
Very well done, thanks for sharing.

Best regards,
John.

Giorgio (8742) 2008-01-04 8:00

- Funny transparency, I see that the "old man" of 50 mm Minolta with the macro filter works always impeccably, I have also had this stone of 1,7 me with my classical material (old Srt 101 XG1), in any case bravo, it's outside of beaten paths and is successful!
All the best for this new year to you and yours.
giorgio

josepmarin (33893) 2008-01-04 8:56

Hi Paul,
Great shot, it is fantastic how you have created such a simple and so difficult composition at the same time.
I like it, this shade of the spider on the palm leaf has a great graphical effect, in a perfectly illuminated close-up and with beautiful colors.
Well done.
Best regards,
Josep

berek (28959) 2008-01-04 13:52

Hi Paul,
you played shadows very god. i like this creative working. have a nice weekend.

Burak erek

Flavia (10202) 2008-01-04 19:50

Hi Paul,

It's really amazing how the nature is perfect and bautiful. A macro lens must be a great fun! The possibility to discouver the hiden beauty of narure, like this one! Great catch!

Cheers and great 2008!

Regards,

Flavia

alainh (35379) 2008-01-04 23:53

Hello Paul
splendid capture, a perfect use of this particulary light. very nice composition.
So, Paul, for you at the other side of the planet, all my best wishes for this new year !!
alain

Tue (25608) 2008-01-05 8:29

Hej Paul,
A really beautiful macro photo with the wonderful silhouette of the little spider. The details of the palm are also great and nicely visible. I love the attractive green colour too. Well done and thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

pboehringer (770) 2008-01-05 10:04

Paul,
a different shot in your galery. Is it a photographic play with a new toy - the close-up filter? I almost like every little detail of this shot. The light and the shadows are perfect. The alternating of both couldn't be better. Obviously the spider has to be in the light portion to give its shadow on the leaf. The detail of the light refraction on the lens in the lower left corner adds some graphical element to the shot. The blurred background makes the foreground stand up. My only minor critique is that I would have prefered to see the spider some milimeters more to the top, more in the light, more off center.
Cheers, Peter

crckt (7080) 2008-01-05 10:47

Oh! This is FANTASTIC! What an orginal shot! Loved it, I love macro shots in general, but this one is special.
Well done,
shaeri

Graal (58367) 2008-01-06 0:21

Hi Paul,
amazing macro shot. Fine green and shadow. Good composition. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

isabela_sor (42221) 2008-01-06 0:29

Perfectly captured this shadow!!!The details and the light are great
Happy 2008,dear Paul

axiotea (16191) 2008-01-06 1:02

Hello Paul
Gardens are always full of surprises! Here you've captured well the spider shadow giving a nice contrast with the vivid green nikau palm leave. Love the luminosity and the diagonal created by the leave.
Cheers
Marilyn

danos (32882) 2008-01-06 2:03

Hello Paul,
fascinating your idea to capture the shadow of this spider on this leaf of the palm.As i see, the light and the silhouette of the spider has been shot splendid.Informative your note too.

Have a nice Sunday,Danos

feather (49872) 2008-01-06 5:44

Unfortunately I have severe arachnophobia and even find looking at a picture of a spider's shadow creepy. I can appreciate the quality of the image though, with the use of an appropriate DOF etc to avoid background distractions. Now the WS, I'm much happier about. I like the close upwards POV.
Kath

jafadabret (40023) 2008-01-06 9:17

Paul, c'est le genre de photos que j'aime. L'ombre de l'araignée prend des proportions inquiétantes avec la macro. Le vert et le graphisme de l'herbe sont superbes.
Jacques

devimeuxbe (56078) 2008-01-06 9:19

Bonsoir Paul
magnifique ! la lumière est assez magique. L'ombre est toute en suggestion. Il n'y a que la tache soubre sous l'araignée qui dérange un peu.
Sinon, c'est très original et proch ede la perfection.
Amicalement
Bertrand

jaywalker (12232) 2008-01-06 9:23

Hi Paul, A great title for this excellent photo, the lighting is wonderfully created, the spiders shadow is truly brilliant & what a perfect POV, superb capture, kind regards Wilson.

Cretense (56648) 2008-01-06 10:19

Hi Paul and Happy New Year (better late than ever)!

What a great idea and what a perfect realisation! Very original photo, great composition and perfect light managment! Congratulations!

Hercules

plimrn (19688) 2008-01-06 11:06

Hi Paul,
Your very unique and creative composition also garnered some very interesting critiques. I agree with all the comments about the light and shadow play and the effect of the lens flare; although I do think the asymmetrical framing you used is completely effective. I also like the fact that you included the true bonus of full-grown Nikau palm, the POV really accentuates the size.
HLJ, Pat

kiwi_explorer (12195) 2008-01-07 2:06

Hi Paul,
I was trying to figure out at first on how you took the shot ... clever capture taking the shot with the spider behing the leaf. This actually made the spider bigger because of the shadows. Well captured and composed. Well done! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

Muse (31045) 2008-01-07 4:23

Hello Paul,
SUperbe couleur et un très jolie compo avec cette ombre.
Bien vu!
Excellente semaine,
Denise

jmdias (19593) 2008-01-07 16:33

paul

I am ever trying to make good images with these green leaves and light. I have one of them in my page. This one is fantastic cause the spider adds lots of interest and the colors and light make the compo perfect. Congratulations

hugs

jorge

gurselerdener (972) 2008-01-08 2:04

Hello Paul
Excellent composition, beautiful cadrage, colours and lightness are wonderfull in this photo.
Congratulations
Best wishes and Merry Chritmas from Ankara
Gürsel

Henryk_Bilor (20367) 2008-01-08 3:09

Hi Paul
Oh, ghost ;). Beautiful capture of this shadow on the green leaf. Nice light and colours.
Regards

riclopes (33069) 2008-01-08 4:20

Olá Paul, and thanks for the complementar WS. I wonder how did you climbed upthere to take this photo, since the palm seems so high in WS :))))) It's creative, funny and a very good macro shot. The colors and light are wonderful and the spider sillouette is a fascinating vision. Well composed along the diagonal too.
Cheers,
ricardo

Stepan (27175) 2008-01-09 13:06

That's OK : the realization is precise and clever, to get a good macro shot.
A special mention for the light and the shadow of course.
Stéphane

Charo (31677) 2008-01-10 1:49

Hola Paul,
Gran toma, muy original este macro con la sombra del insecto. Excelente color, encuadre y detalles.
Cordialmente
Charo

toto (18743) 2008-01-10 1:58

Belle photo de cette araignée qui est partie de chez nous ou les toiles sont gelée pour le sud, si vous vous demandez pourquoi je dis cela allez jeter un coup d' oeil sur ma gallerie et vous comprendrez.Jolies couleurs et bonne netteté qui nous montre bien les détails de cette feuille et de l' ombre de l' araignée venant du froid.
Je vous souhaite une bonne et heureuse année 2008, que cette année vous apporte bonheur et prospérité.
Amitiés Thomas
Je reviens.

jean-marie (3088) 2008-01-10 4:49

Hello Paul,
Happy new Year !
Jolie photo aux couleurs intenses. Cadrage efficace et beau jeu de lumière. Bravo
Amicalement
Jean -Marie

Bluejeans (32715) 2008-01-10 7:43

Ola Paul,
Muito interessante esta sombra desta arranha , gostei muito das linhas da planta amarela e verde , bom enquadramento da foto , parabens!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

MLINES (10916) 2008-01-10 17:33

Hi Paul. Very good to see the variety coming through your portfolio. The natural lighting and colours here as well as the underview observationlook good. Interesting note about this palm. TFS. Murray.
Thoughts today for Sir Edmund, my hero since childhood.

Loic_bzh (7059) 2008-01-11 1:20

Hi Paul,

great macro shot. Nice colors and very good idea.

Cheers,

Loïc

PS: see my WS...

[workshop] [compare] +

alvaraalto (5265) 2008-01-11 13:59

Hi Paul,

In the shadow of the spider. That could be the title of a thrilling thriller.
And this could be a perfect cover for it.

Groet Rob

Scharan (13955) 2008-01-11 15:41

Olá Paul

Muito curiosa esta imagem e mutio bonita também. Excelente luz/sombras.
Lindas tonalidades do verde. Um trabalho lindo, parabéns!
GA
Vera

Angshu (33927) 2008-01-18 1:25

Hello Paul
Excellent Macro shot. Well composed with the diagonal of the leaf & the sadow of the spider. I see some flare in the bottom left, reflection on the lens I think. Good work!
Regards
Angshu

hello_ishan (1571) 2008-01-21 23:02

Hi Paul,
Excellent idea & great job done my friend. TFS

danyy (69147) 2008-01-23 0:05

Bonjour Paul,
une photo rapprochée prise avec beaucoup de soin et de précision.
Belle diagonale avec ce jeu d'ombre, plus esthétique que le photograhie de l'araignée et 'vrai'.
Bien à toi.
Daniel.

prumod (8264) 2008-02-05 10:49

hi paul...
it's a great shot... i love this very much and respect your idea... nice framing and pleasing colors...
greetings...

lasscor (7637) 2008-02-05 12:10

Hi Paul,
Beautiful green graphical composition.
Great colours, light and shadow of the spider.
TFS,
Corinne

donluicu (23927) 2008-02-08 3:03

hi Paul
this is beautiful, nice capture, good framing

nothing else to say

bravo

napdsp (732) 2008-02-09 22:37

Wonderful sense of light and shadow. Lovely sihouette. I love the texture and depth. TFS.

adores (15683) 2008-03-25 18:02

Hi Paul!
This is a really good shot, with fantastic light reflecting on the leave. I like the shadow of the spider and the way you framed the photo. Good work!

ayansadhu (1499) 2008-04-20 22:26

nice anti-light shot
well done but I thing a little crop would have been better if the shadow on the leave is avoided

IgorDeleze (9247) 2008-04-26 1:54

Hello Paul,
Excellent shot with a nice artistic touch.
Greetings.
igor

nels (2455) 2008-07-25 10:07

hi paul, what can i add that has not already been said, realy like the idea for the shot

adrian

Didi (36292) 2009-08-19 9:48

Hi Paul
Very nice play game with backlights, sharp composition your subject is issued from a genius idea.
Well done
Cheers

subhendu_bagchi (3337) 2009-10-26 0:09

Hi Paul,
great idea to present that shot against the light. The spider is looks nice in shadow, and the leaf is brilliant. Good depth. Nice colours. Very well done.
Congrats.
Subhendu