Originally posted by Paleo Pete These guys usually build a pretty good sized triangular web, and almost always hang upside down, and with the web moving in the slightest breeze it's not easy to get a good shot.
Exactly! It takes lots of patience to catch the "freeze" moment. I can spend an hour on shooting, and get about 2-3 good pictures if so. Tripod actually is not helping much, it slows down focusing. I practiced sturdy body position instead, controlling hands as possible and breathing, so it became kind of sporty. And because they stay upside down almost always, I need to find creative positions, the body hurts quickly.
Quote: For a makeshift diffuser, get a cash register receipt. They are heat sensitive on one side, so put that side facing away from the flash, it will last all day. I got a store clerk to give me one without any print on it once, it had only the store name on it so I knew which side was heat sensitive.
Interesting. I don't have external flash, did not buy it yet. I use build in flash with poor man diffuser: the tube from pringles with white polyester semi-sheer fabric filter on the end. It helps a bit. Those spiders are too glossy for direct sun light or direct flash without diffuser.