+4 Close-up Fliter & Walmart Bag

unknownspider, originally uploaded by joseph brewster photography.

This little spider was perhaps a half an inch long, and quite small to capture with a lens that does not have macro capabilities. In a pinch like this, I had a set of Close Up filters. This shot was taken with a standard 18mm-80mm lens with a +4 Close Up filter screwed on. The results are not as clear as shooting through the lens glass alone, but the outcome is still acceptable.

I shot in extreme low light, and I needed to use a flash. Again, I was limited to what the camera had, but popping up the flash on-camera would blow out the subject since I was shooting literally inches from the insect. It is a sad commentary on our environment when I can be out in nature and find a wal-mart bag lying around, but I did find one. I snagged a piece of the white (relatively) plastic and hand held it over the built-in flash to diffuse the light and create a warmer glow to the image. Make use of your surroundings and be resourceful.