Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Yrs ago I took this shot, now its not a good shot. However I've always marveled at the construction of a spider web. This day the light hit some of the webbing just right and it appeared like a prism effect.....which made me think that each time we take down a spiders web, what is the potential make up of it? The colors, the refracted light if you will, are amazing to me...

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I've seen this effect on spider webs, sometimes even on a single thread of silk that's floating. So cool.

For impact, this shot needs better focus, but I like that you filled the frame with the web and the light blue spots make a very pleasant background.

btw, I never take down spider webs - not that there are many around where I live now anyway - but I try to let them earn a living, and maybe catch a pesky mosquito or two in the process

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Yes, the focus was off....but the prism effect in the download was the focus.....lol..........the poor spider is out of focus! Obviously I won't win any awards w/ this one!
Thanks for comments Linda......always appreciated.....and for your great care of the webs in your locale.....!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

First, welcome to FYC!. Hope you'll hang around, look around, offer up other images and comments.

I love the prism effect of spider webs that you're showing off here. Sometimes you can luck up on a situation where the light blows the prism up so large it looks totally unreal. I love finding webs on foggy mornings where there's little water drops all over them.

In this one, you've got the "lady of the house" somewhat out of focus (I thoroughly understand how this happens when you're trying to get a swaying tilted web IN focus). She is detracting from the delicate web because she is bigger, and well, she's a living critter and we all pay more attention to living critters in photos than their surroundings. You might could improve on her some with processing but not sure.

You've launched an interesting topic, of prismatic effects in photography and of the magic of webs, worthy of more development in either direction.

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Thank you for your lengthy response. I was aware that the 'lady of the house' was out of focus after I took the picture. I am not sure if it was because she was swaying or I was swaying. It was only when I put it up on the monitor that I caught the visual of the prism. I think I did do a little post processing on the spider but to no avail. Certainly it would've made for a better picture but I am pleased that I got to see the effects of the sun hitting a web...to most people it just looks like a spiderweb. But clearly there are facets within this web that make it capable of capturing the sun in a prison effect.. it was a picture that was taken several years ago probably 2009. Hopefully I've improved a little sense than enough to know that if I took a picture like that today I wouldn't posted it on UHH ..... everyone here is so good .
Thanks again for viewing....

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

We are all learning! Some of us are further along some paths than others, but others may be further along on different paths than we are. The fun of this section is the conversation about what we do, which is far more important than our judgement of where on the path everybody is. You raised an interesting question about prismatic effects and photography that could be discussed a long time and in a lot of ways, including spider webs (probably the most delicate of all possibilities).

I have an ongoing project of photographing some birds at the local dam, have been doing it for over a year, but only in the past month found a certain prismatic phenomenon that occurs in certain light at a certain time of day with certain water flows, where rainbows get plastered all over the birds and their grimy surroundings. So I understand your fascination!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

I think many people will join you in the wonderment to be found in spiders webs and the way light is often reflected or refracted off of them. That being said you are posting an image on what is primarily a photo sharing site and although discussion can cover many aspects of a shot and cover many parts of what makes the shot I would suggest learning a few basic camera skills so that you can post a shot that is at least in focus. This spider should not have represented a problem and many here will be more than willing to help you so that your snaps can be of a more generally accepted standard.
It may of use if you feel help is required to let us know what camera and technique you employed here

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

When I find myself swaying, I have to put the bottle down before I fall. Welcome to FYC kid! One thing about photography, one of the reasons that I try to take pictures, is that it makes me see things that I have never noticed before. It is an eye-opener type of process.

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

I think I must take your advice about the swaying!!.... yes it has a wonderful learning to capture a moment .

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Welcome, Chicopee.

Very nice web shot.

Would you consider opening the thread up for other spider/web photos?