The eyes have it....

[Ironwood]

I would like a bit of feedback on the eye treatments here.
Reflections in the eyes of spiders from the flash and diffuser can be a problem, but what to do about them can be another worry.
A non-photographer friend likes them, they said they look like eyeballs and give the spider some character. I like some reflection in the eyes, otherwise they look lifeless, but reflections that show an obvious manmade diffuser can sometimes look out of place and distract from the photo.

#1 - untouched, showing reflection of diffuser.


#2 - some of the reflection cloned out.


#3 - again untouched.


#4 - a bit more removed on this one, but leaving some reflection there hopefully to give the eyes some shape.


#5 - untouched.


#6 - most of the diffuser removed, just a few highlights left.


#7 - all reflections removed.

[loose cannon]

Hmmm...tricky!

As a non-macro guy I'll just say I like #4 + #6 the best as they look the most natural.

#7 appeals the least.

The untouched ones have a Marty Feldman look about them.

Not sure if that helps at all, I've never used any sort of flash or diffuser so am clueless really

[Ironwood]

Hmmm...tricky!

As a non-macro guy I'll just say I like #4 + #6 the best as they look the most natural.

#7 appeals the least.

The untouched ones have a Marty Feldman look about them.

Not sure if that helps at all, I've never used any sort of flash or diffuser so am clueless really

Cheers LC, thanks for stating your preferences. They are pretty much how I am thinking also.

As for Marty Feldman, I think this guy might be his twin brother

[MarkB1]

Haven't I seen your flash setup, and it looked good enough. But the so obvious 'Feldman' catchlight suggests something not so right, IMO. If your working distance is too long for the apparent light size - http://strobist.blogspot.com.au/2007...ent-light.html - you lose the benefit of the diffusing function of the 'peak' of foam coming off the top of the lens, and you would just get it reflected as it is here.

You're right about needing some reflection, without it the eyes just look hollow.

Great angle on #3 BTW.

[Ironwood]

Hi Mark, thanks for the response.
The flash setup that you remember seeing is the one I use with my 105mm lens, these photos were taken with my old 55mm lens, it just has a single piece of foam cutout jammed onto the end of the lens, and the cameras onboard flash for lighting. It is a very basic setup.

[MarkB1]

Hi Mark, thanks for the response.
The flash setup that you remember seeing is the one I use with my 105mm lens, these photos were taken with my old 55mm lens, it just has a single piece of foam cutout jammed onto the end of the lens, and the cameras onboard flash for lighting. It is a very basic setup.

That is basic. A snoot works on the on-board flash too.

[Ironwood]

That is basic. A snoot works on the on-board flash too.

Yes very basic, but surprising how well it works. No doubt a snoot could bring improvements though.