Spider with babies

This is not my first attempt at catching an image of a spider (there are lots of them around here) however, it is the first one that actually came out somewhat decent. It was shot from the ground, looking up into the sky. This mama spider just had babies (which I am going to exterminate them all tomorrow).

What about this photo works? What doesn't? Any suggestions on how to get better images of small insects?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9309996@N02/3085561776/" title="100_2087 by tsanchez012, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/3085561776_10167d8ffb.jpg" width="500" height="418" alt="100_2087" /></a>

tripod, longer lens, manual focus/macro mode would be a start.. its been said that a lot of the great macros are done with posed, dead subjects

the best way to kill a "bug" to be posed is to capture in an airtight container, then put in the freezer and freeze them to death or about 24 hours.

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Originally Posted by retroactiv

the best way to kill a "bug" to be posed is to capture in an airtight container, then put in the freezer and freeze them to death or about 24 hours.

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Holy Cow! I really had no idea that the best way to get an insect shot was to kill it first. I learn something new each day. This spider was alive (unfortunately) when I shot this.. I will definitely keep that in mind. Thanks!

I think killing them is a little extreme. I'm certain you could get this shot with a reasonable exposure and a bit longer lens. Try cropping to the sides and bottom where there are no babies. Then use some sharpening and perhaps a little higher contrast.