Photographing small, possibly deadly critters.

[humminboid]

I have the urge to photograph smaller creatures, like spiders, bees and wasps. Then progress to larger ones, like butterflies and the moth featured
in "Silence of the Lambs".

Has anyone here done any of this? There is no real butterfly house around here.

How to keep them "in the frame"? (Black widows are FAST!)

I have an extension tube, and a 2-element diopter I can use on my close focusing lenses to provide nearly a 1:1 ratio, but will this work?

I am also thinking a light tent of some sort, for good overall lighting, or maybe a diy ring flash.

I am assuming that lady bugs or the like would be good to practice on first.

Suggestions, please!

[Richard DeYoung]

I would try a ladie bug first. When I tried to photo a wasp I got stung. Spiders can run fast and will bite you if agravated. Also scorpions are bad news. Perhaps you can drug them. Or try something else as a subject.

[SpeedRacerSlots]

when cold or nearly frozen most of them become somewhat dormant, until they thaw back out, then they do their thing once again.
Had to do this last year for a science project for my kid.
the challenge is to get them in the freezer baggie or gladware container, then to keep the rest of the family from throwing it out or setting stuff on it/

[ggeen]

First I use my Nikkor 105mm f2 Micro. This allows me some breathing room between me and the potentially dangerous bug. I created a bit of a haven for bugs in the back yard -- a lot of shrubery, etc. I get a lot of spiders, praying mantis, etc. I allow spiders to spin their web and the only time I intentially distrub them is when I mow the lawn. Also note that many spiders only come our at night or prefer the dark, like black widows.

Keep their environment as natural as possible. Work on their schedule. I once photographed a bug on the side of my house in the middle of the night. Flash was required. I can only imagine what my neighbors must have been thinking.

Bugs are like any other subject. As I have been told by some of the best here, know your subject. Butterflies like flowers. Provide flowers and water to attract them. Spriders are all over the place. Some like dark secluded locations with little wind. Others build their webs to take advantage of the prevailing winds. Black widows like dark, calm, quite locations. If you want to attract them, create such a space...like benieth your hot tub. They love that! Bugs that eat other bugs want to see bugs.

I have a red yukka plant that attracts bugs and birds. One day, I will photograph that elusive humming bird! Dang, he's fast. My plan for the coming year, more color and a water feature of some sort -- as yet undecided.

Good luck. Also, take advantage of the local hiking and biking trails. Just be careful. -G