Spider webs: intricate works of art

PSA Journal, August, 2005 by Garry Walter

There are more than 35,000 species of spiders worldwide; maybe 3,000 in North America--and those are just the ones that have been named. Many more have not been identified or even discovered. Some spiders are smaller than a pinhead; some are larger than a dinner plate. Some even spend most of their lives under water.

The photographer will want to consider the spiders that are web builders, which may number several hundred species, responsible for manufacturing some exquisite intricate works of art. On an early morning when dew clings to everything, spider webs become more visible. Take time for a close look at these works of art in nature. Don't worry too much about the little creepy crawler: chances are when the dew is present the spider won't be. When you get close, a dew-laden spider web backlit by the morning sun will positively amaze you. Reflected in the tiny droplets are wonderful sparkles of light, taking on the look of rare gems strung on silken threads. What better time to grab your camera?

Tips and Equipment

When considering equipment, prepare to be versatile because the size and location of a web will dictate what is needed for a particular shot. I sometimes use a zoom lens in the 70 to 210mm range with a macro setting. I also carry a 100mm macro and have extension tubes with me to get extra close.

Almost all web photos will be taken just before sunrise or up to approximately an hour later. Once the sun is up, the wind usually follows, drying up the dewdrops, so close-ups must be taken early. As low-light conditions characterize the early morning hours, slow shutter speeds will sometimes be necessary, making a tripod and cable release critical.

Important to remember is that the webs stand out best when backlit by a light source--the sun or the reflection of the sun. It is a smart to locate as many webs as possible. Work close and select a composition, making certain the web surface is parallel to the film plane. When everything is parallel, the tiny droplets of the dew will be in sharp focus in the center as well as all the four corners of the viewfinder or at least as close as possible. This is a major factor for high quality images (If taking images from further away, this is not quite as critical.).

It's important to be prepared to shoot many images. If using film, have several rolls with you. Release the shutter only when everything is perfectly still and bracket images. Bracketing can be good insurance for successful results--sometimes bracketing will allow the photographer to produce the best image which would otherwise be lost.

Consider zooming in and out on the subject, taking several images from different distances. If there Were just one lens, one composition, and one exposure for each subject, photography could be boring. Fortunately, we are not limited to any one piece of equipment any more than we are limited in compositions or exposures. As with most subjects, experiment and shoot many views.

Garry Walter

Highland Heights, KY