all help welcome....

Thanks Guys, will give it a go...I won't be using the Ricoh as I have got myself a Canon recently, it's an older one but it has come complete with 3 lenses and filters and macro lenses too, together with a host of other goodies, so I can't wait to experiment and find out what it, and I can and can't do...

I have just bought a small tripod, with adjustable legs and it swivells too, I have used it and it works well, so as long as I take the advice you have all given me, I should in theory, be able to practice until I get it right.

Thanks again Andrew,Dave,Paul and Vince....

Hi John, I have replied to you direct but think the answer to your query could be of interest to others........

Reason as below, but I will also put this up as a response to the query on POE for the interest of others
The problem is simple!!!! Flat light and lack of contrast.
The web and the background...the road....are almost identical in tone so the fineness of the web has been lost against the lightness of the road.
If you look carefully at the pic you sent me which I have tried to enhance you will see that the web is there and shows up against the darker areas like the car and black paintwork, but not against the light coloured areas like the road and the lighter paintwork and walls
The daylight looks very flat which doesn't help, presume it was a fairly dull and overcast day?? A bright cross or back light would have picked the web out much better
Take a look at Zbig's photo 1181251 of the lamp, this shows what I mean to perfection, but unfortunately you simply did not have the light in your favour in this instance. Also don't forget the human eye's power of resolution is infinitely superior to any lens and sensor you have. So what your eye saw in the lighting conditions on the day was not recordable by the camera sensor.