With macro shots, you get so much detail that sometimes it's hard to imagine—or easy to forget—how tiny the macro subject is. To some, the jumping spider in my shot yesterday probably looked like a monster-sized spider. But in fact it's tiny. I thought I'd upload this two-week-old photo to show you relative sizes. (View the larger version if you like.)
The jumping spider in this shot is not the same one as yesterday's but he is about the same size at 0.5cm (0.2in). He's closest to my lens but you can also see the weaver ants that are farther away, and the spider not only looks smaller than them, it actually is! These weaver ants are about 0.7-1.0cm (0.4in).
That's why I don't mind getting close to jumping spiders for macro shots. They are tiny, and nowhere near as aggressive as the weaver ants. If one leapt on to my lens, I don't think I'll drop my camera in horror. I'm more likely to scream and flail if I were targeted by a weaver ant.
I've seen bigger spiders, especially those on webs, but I don't have the courage to get close enough to them for macro shots. I don't like spiders. Except the super tiny, uber cute ones. Like the big-eyed jumping spiders. I'm happy to see them. 8D
Your macros fascinate me even more now - it is difficult to realise how small they actually are - thanks for the comparison - the detail and texture in the leaves is quite lovely as well
Both shots are brillent, I love macro but have never been happy with any of mine.I love the way you described the jumping spider turning to watch you watching him.
You've put it all into perspective here, Livia! Love your little miniature world of insects. A new way of seeing things .... the advantages of a great camera and photographer. The leaves look so large ....make a fabulous backdrop to view the insect even better. Beautiful when enlarged. We make a great pair you know ... you could get an insect bite while I could fall down embankments. lol Are we dedicated or what?!!
Your shots never cease to amaze me! Also I go away for a few days and you hit the big time and get a number one shot - way to go Livia! congratulation albeit belatedly but I was having fun in the sun:0)
Fantastic as always Livia, it's good that you've given us some perspective and comparison. I think you would be great taking kids on a trip round the bug house, they'd love your enthusiasm :)
Great story and I agree. In the past I've done tiny frogs, lizards that appear to be monsters on close-up shots. This is quite a learning experience. I've seen such a wide variety of spiders...fab shot, Livia!
very cool perspective shot! those ants look gigantor! we have had quite a few baby jumping spiders lately, uber cute, i let them inhabit our house so its no wonder they have had babies :)
A great, big, not-too-small, whole-other-world-like, relatively loud "THANK YOU!" to everyone for stopping by! I am grateful for your constant encouragement and support. Thank you very much!
I love this view! I usually take a keep a "for scale purposes" of the macro stuff I do. It is hard to believe HOW tiny they are when you just report their size. You gotta' see it. I used to think we did not have jumping spiders where I live, but that is because from the macro shots i saw, I thought they were big enough to see. The ones we have here, at least, are so small you can barely see them. No wonder i never noticed them before. Super cool pic of all of the insects in their world. fav
