Redback Spider
Up close with an Australian icon. The Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasselti), feared by early settlers, was historically responsible for 12 deaths. An antivenom has been available since 1956, and there have been no deaths directly due to redback bites since its introduction. The female spider, as seen in this shot, is much larger then its male counterpart and has the distinctive red stripe on its abdomen. The female 'digests' the male during a successful mating process, which seems to be unique to Latrodectus hasselti. Females reach around 1 cm in size while males are 3-4 mm when mature. Shot was taken with a 100mm macro lens. NSW, Australia.
As you can probably tell from my feed, macro photography is not something I do a lot of so I would love to hear your thoughts / critique of this shot? It was shot with a Canon EOS 6D using a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM at ISO 1000, f/16, and 1/80s.
If you would like to learn a little bit more about my background in photography you can read the interview @photofeed did with me here.
Robert Downie
Love Life, Love Photography
All images in this post were taken by and remain the Copyright of Robert Downie - http://www.robertdowniephotography.com
This is rather a different scale for you XD
Looks pretty good to me, I have no critique, just a slightly amusing story. Once upon a time not that long ago, I was clearing the cobwebs off the outside of the house with a broom when I chanced upon a web occupied by two rather large redbacks. I paused momentarily as I calculated where they would land when I cleared their web away and how far away I could be given the length of the broom handle. I brandished the broom at them because I had nothing to fear. Hesitated, checked my calculations again (I'm excellent at spatial but terrible at actual maths). Brandished the broom more firmly. Turned with broom still in brandish pose and bailed right out calling for my partner to go deal with them. The end.
wow.. beautiful capture.. I would freak out if I saw a spider this upclose 😂
Might use a zoom lens if I wanted to click one..
A good snap.
These little bastards...I'm not a fan of spiders. A mate got bitten by one of these. Went to hospital for the antivenom shot and was ok, but didn't have the strength to lift his 6monthbold for a week. Knocked him around.
You should go more macro. I've been playing around with macro. It's hard...Or I'm just bad at it. 😁
i cant critique just be careful Redback Spider is dangerous if it can cause death, your brave
It is a nice macro!
I like the dark colour and a little red for contrast.
I am not a big friend with spiders, but I will show this photo and ask a bit about this spider, my brother who is studying them.
He has never been to Australia, so he haven't met him up close.
Now that is the type of spider I would love getting some macro shots of.