Grasshoppers Beware! This Lady is Waiting for You.

Common Black and Yellow Garden Spider- Argiope aurantia

What is required to make a common garden creature the subject of an interesting photo? A very strong focal point in sharp focus without a jumble of distracting objects, a composition that pleases the eye and a background that doesn’t interfere and confuse. It all comes together in this image. The soft focus on the delphinium buds also serves as a frame to help define the colorful and contrasting spider.
Betty used a Canon 5D fitted with an EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens zoomed in to its maximum focal length. The ISO was a low 200 and the shutter speed 1/40 sec. No tripod was used but good camera technique produced tack sharp focus. It’s worth taking a look at a cropped version to see the fine details, particularly the gray hairs which give the impression of tight wool knitting. Fascinating! Click here.