It finally happened!!!!!!

[zkogut]

I FINALLY GOT TO SHOOT A JUMPING SPIDER!!!

Ok, so I know not all of you are aware of this but I've been dying to find and photograph an Arizona Jumping Spider. This little guy (2mm) was hanging out on the trunk of my car during a strong Monsoon Storm blowing through. I ran inside to grab my gear and these are the result. I took about 150 shots and only about 30 were "keepers." These are my favorite. What do you think?

-Zak

[Stagecoach]

These are great little fellas to shoot Zak they have such character and I find they also like to jump on the lens and flash gear.

A good series and that's a good pose on No 4.

[Mark von Kanel]

great shots Zac please give us some info about your set up, settings and method.

[wilgk]

Oh my word, they are great - I am a seriously sad arachnophobe, but these guys I can look at on screen & not dive under the desk.
I would still not cope around them 'live' but I can admire your work - great series!

[Donald]

I FINALLY GOT TO SHOOT A JUMPING SPIDER!!!

Ok, so I know not all of you are aware of this but I've been dying to find and photograph an Arizona Jumping Spider.

Well done, Zak.

When you set yourself a goal and then achieve it, it's a great feeling. Also it shows the commitment and dedication that's needed to 'get the image'.

[IzzieK]

Great! We got one more bug-o-grapher here. Good series. I love that the spider is staying where you are...I am having goose pimples just imagining where they could be hiding around here. Love #1 though..just turn it around to straighten its foothold so I do not have to crane my neck looking at it...she'd be right, mate! I also looks like it is begging for its picture to be taken... #2 seems to be the in-your-face pose.

Love them all...really! I can feel your excitement more this far away than anything else...ah...the fulfillment of a goal is just so sweet as long as you do not count birthdays with it.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[bnnrcn]

Great captures Zak

[flashback]

Zak, I gotta tell ya I'm as much a sucker for puppy/dog shots as I am for jumpers; the little guys are just so endearing. I guess they're the teddy bears of the insect/arachnid world. And the fire red/orange hairs are brilliant.

I like #1 the best, looks like a puppy begging for a treat. And based on the pedipalps (the fuzzy little arms in front of the mouth) your little jumper is a she.

[JBW]

I think you are thrilled not to be shooting with film. I think I have occasionally got the same clarity with a jumper but never have i come close to the colours you got. Very nice.

[zkogut]

Zak, I gotta tell ya I'm as much a sucker for puppy/dog shots as I am for jumpers; the little guys are just so endearing. I guess they're the teddy bears of the insect/arachnid world. And the fire red/orange hairs are brilliant.

I like #1 the best, looks like a puppy begging for a treat. And based on the pedipalps (the fuzzy little arms in front of the mouth) your little jumper is a she.

Thank you Jack. I didn't know if it was a male or female and now I know! I also have plenty of dog pictures lol.

[zkogut]

great shots Zac please give us some info about your set up, settings and method.

Hi Mark,

I used a Nikon D7100 with a 85mm macro lens and Vello extension tubes. I used a SB600 flash with a diffuser/softbox over the top. My camera settings were F/18, iso 100, wb flash, 1/250 shutter speed and I switched between manual and auto focus throughout the shoot. I mainly used continuous focus so that I could just rattle off shots as the little guy posed.

[Suzan J]

Great shots Zak! Gotta love all those extra eyeballs.