Macro photography - tiny models, big surprises

Alright boys and girls, brace yourselves because this time I’ve got something a little different for you, macro photos. Yep, we're getting up close and personal with some tiny creatures. Now, there’s just one tiny problem. I’m not 100% sure you’re going to like it. Don’t get me wrong, having a macro lens is awesome, you get to see the tiny details of things you normally wouldn’t even notice. But sometimes, it’s also kind of... terrifying.

You know how when you see a grasshopper, you’re like, oh, cool, it’s just a grasshopper, no big deal. Or when you spot an ant, you’re like, whatever, it’s just an ant, who cares? Well, try taking a macro shot of them and THEN look at the photo. I guarantee you’ll be thinking, WHAT in the world is this creepy alien thing?? Suddenly, these little critters seem like they came straight out of a horror movie.

I remember the first time I took a macro shot of a spider. I was thoroughly grossed out. I mean, I knew spiders weren’t exactly fluffy kittens, but seeing one THAT close? Uhhh. For a while, I couldn’t even look at a spider without freaking out. Anytime I saw one in my room, I’d be screaming for my husband to take it out, like, SAVE ME! Honestly, I was traumatized.

Have you ever seen a spider up close? Like REALLY close? If not, count yourself lucky. But hey, after a while, I thought, this is some great photography material. Most people have no idea what these tiny creatures look like under a macro lens, and let me tell you, when they see my photos, they’re not exactly thrilled. In fact, some of them might even hold me responsible for their newfound nightmares. Oooops! 😜

The truth is, these little creatures are the perfect models. They pose so well, it's like they know they’re in front of the camera. Nobody told them how to work their angles, but man, they sure know how to strike a pose. The best part? I don’t need to schedule appointments or pay them for their modeling services. 🙂 They’re everywhere, and they’re always camera-ready.

Over time, I went from being scared of these critters to being totally fascinated by them. Take the ladybug or the bee for example, up close, they’re just stunning. And then there’s this one spider I’ve actually grown fond of, the jumping spider (yes, I googled its Latin name because I’m fancy like that, it’s Salticidae, by the way. No idea how to pronounce that, though.) These little guys have the cutest eyes, and I never thought I’d use the word cute to describe a spider, but hey, life surprises you sometimes!

But then, there’s the bigger spiders. Oh boy. The first time I took a macro shot of a larger one, I nearly screamed when I saw the close-up. Seriously, how am I supposed to sip my coffee on the balcony now, knowing these things are lurking out there somewhere? And don’t get me started on editing the photo, I was cringing the whole time and my husband was laughing like crazy. It’s a great shot, sure, but... still. No thanks. Those bigger spiders may be excellent models, but we’re not on friendly terms, and I don’t plan on taking any more pictures of them anytime soon.

So, let’s take a look at these photos. I’m genuinely curious to hear what you think. And hey, if you end up sleeping with the lights on for a few days after this, please don’t blame me! 😉

Let’s dive in... if you dare! 😉

“The two most engaging powers of a photograph are to make new things familiar and familiar things new.”– William Thackeray

With love, @tinabrezpike❤️