Crab in rock pool

[vbu]

I was wandering around the rock pools at Pembroke beach and found this little fellow. I'm in two minds about this shot, the whole shot shows how the crab actually lives, hiding away when necessary, however a tighter crop would show him off better. Would do you guys think ?

[Igor]

It's a very complicated environment for shooting, I'd suggest a macro lens with a ring flash on it for a close up.
If you wanted to show the "way of crab's life" :) (I mean among the rocks) you did well.

[vbu]

Thanks Igor, unfortunately I don't own a ring flash (or any flash for that matter apart from the S2 built-in one). And I was using the Tamron SP90mm, however, I didn't want to risk getting too close as I could have easily scared the crab away. Had that happen at least 4 times that day before I got this shot.

I'm thinking I may have to invest in a longer macro lens, such as a 180mm, or I'll see how the extension tubes I've just bought from Swampy will work...

[Igor]

Hi Veronica, even 200mm macro lens will give you about two feet close focusing distance, so if the crab is nervous he'll get scared away anyway :)
I used to shoot similar crabs as close as 20cm with my 105/2.8. The key is slow and steady approach, as most "lo-tech" :) animals react to sudden / fast motion only...
HTH :)

Here's one of them. S2 body, 105/2.8 lens, built-in flash.
...

[vbu]

Wow - great shot ! Yeah, that's how I got that last shot, by slowly walking up to him. However, didn't want to risk getting to close. I have a few days off this week so will go back and try my luck again.

[AzRich]

boy, that looks like a shot that Swampy and I took in San Diego! Right down to the crab, you got a bit closer than we did.

Nice close up.

[Auminer]

Hey, knock dead shot Igor! Veronica don't be dishearted, if you look at the number of Igors posts and figure that most of these are actual shots he has posted you will see it didn't come over night. :) Practice, practice, practice and learning from others here will get you going in the direction we are all striving for. You have an excellent camera and while gear and lenses help, they don't make the photographer. :) Keep posting!!!! :righton:

Dave

[Swampy]

boy, that looks like a shot that Swampy and I took in San Diego! Right down to the crab, you got a bit closer than we did.

Nice close up.

Bad direction to the sun and what not in San Diego Rich. Here's one I took a few weeks ago. Much closer, maybe 18 inches with the 150mm Sigma, handheld.

http://theswampbbs.com/s2/gallery/macro/images/_T7S3481e.jpg

[vbu]

Thanks for all your comments. The photos on this forum help me to get out and try new angles/techniques...

[AzRich]

Thanks for all your comments. The photos on this forum help me to get out and try new angles/techniques...

Not to mention that this forum will inspire you to get closer and probably get bit/pinched/stung or fall off a cliff!

That's a much better shot there Swampy, the first ones we got were more like the first post here.

I'll stick to flowers and stinkbugs for macros for the time being. With an occasional black widow and tarantula :)

[Auminer]

Hey Bryan, can you find this exact place again? Looks like a small vein of gold above Mr. crab. :)

Also are you using special privileges by having your photos show up in this "reply" section, or haven't I caught on how to do it yet? :confused: I like to be able to take another look at the photo when commenting...short retention factor comes with grey :o

Dave