How to Photograph a Spiderweb
Good spiderweb photographs are beautiful but require planning and patience. To shoot the classic photograph of dew on a spiderweb, use a good film or digital SLR with a macro lens mounted on a sturdy tripod. Because even the slightest amount of wind will make the web move and blur the shot, allow adequate time to shoot multiple images. You might get only one or two usable images out of every 10 shots.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Scout your locations an hour before sunrise on a windless day so that you can set up in time to start shooting at first light. Sunrise is the best time for dew and also often wind-free.
-
2
Attach a macro or long telephoto lens. Walk around and look through your viewfinder to see alternative compositions. Shoot a range of verticals and horizontals, some showing the entire web and some interesting sections.
-
-
3
Place your camera on a sturdy tripod. if using a long telephoto, use the tripod mount on the lens if possible. If you mount the body to the tripod, drape a soft 1 or 2 lb. weight over the lens to minimize shake.
-
4
Position your camera so that the web is lit and the background is relatively dark. The greater the contrast between web and background, the more striking the picture. You may need to use fill flash to brighten the web.
-
5
Focus manually on the web and set your lens to the widest possible aperture to minimize depth of field. If the web is brightly lit, use a neutral density filter to avoid over-exposing on maximum aperture.
-
6
Step away from the camera and use a timed or remote shutter release to minimize camera shake.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Carry camouflage cloth to use as a backdrop if needed. Camouflage cloth outside your depth of field will look like foliage.
Wait for at least 30 seconds between stepping back from the camera and pressing the remote shutter release so that the air currents caused by your movement won't make the web sway and blur the picture.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
