Hi Mich,
Welcome to FM.
Looks like you are having fun with the 100 mm Macro.
I guess you have discovered the razor thin DOF; noticed you are shooting at f 14-18. I think you could probably open up a tad.
Of the three, third is clearly the best. The others are just too busy and the subject is too-centered. Last is not quite sharp enough. Not sure if that is your shutter speed and any movement of your subject (I assume you used a tripod), or a focus issue, since the web appears sharp. Are you focussing manually (usually recommended with this lens)?
Scott
I agree with sbeme - the challenge is that you have a subject that requires depth - webs crossing over body but you have a macro lens that gets you really tight depth - the result is nothing well focussed and that detracts on all.
3 is the best one because spider is off centre and the background is not busy - simple and nice composition but the depth should be greater for my taste.
Great shots IMHO but the top two, while it's already been said, are really the kind of stuff I'd like to see only if I'm reading up on the spider itself. Knowing it has that behavior of using the silk as a barrier while being visible to predators is fascinating. If you get the chance try and see how the spider enters and exits the web and get a shot from that angle, could be dynamite! Also, I have the same Canon lens. This is my advice, F/9 is the sweet spot, use a diffused off shoe flash and have fun. Also, the macro tubes can really become an investment in just enjoying the subject even more.
Thanks Stits for your advice. I just bought Kenko macro tubes 2 days ago but don't have much time to play with it. I'll go make some test in a few days with f/9 in mind.
