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Justin-Disgusting — Fuzzy Wuzzy
#macro #nature #spiders #jumpingspider
Published: 2016-09-21 20:27:21 +0000 UTC; Views: 1112; Favourites: 80; Downloads: 7
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Description
Jumping spiders are so stinking cute! Here is one on a dead/dying milkweed stalk.I find that 1:1 magnification is a sweet spot for most arthropods I encounter, so that is typically what my rig is set to. However, jumping spiders need all the extension tubes I have (and could still benefit from more magnification). Whenever I spot a jumping spider now, I perform a "Jumping Spider Drill":
1. Memorize the location of the spider
2. Take several steps back
3. Add all the extension tubes
4. Fix the tape on the diffuser
5. Swap the batteries in the flash with cooler, room temperature ones
So far using this drill, I have been 2 for 2. The other shot using this drill was "Tiny Hunter" (fav.me/dafvlze ). I love my super cheap rig, but I am starting to truly see the need for an actual macro lens...
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Comments: 26
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Wonderful capture! What really makes it for me, is that little bit of green.
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Thanks!
Who doesn't like a little bit of green? wink wink nod nod
lol, that little bit of green in the photo is milkweed though... I wouldn't toke that unless you want to inhale heart-arresting toxins.
Your gallery makes me want to do some macro photography again...
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I was referring more to the shiny reflective green bits around the bitey end.
I don't remember seeing anything quite like that. Reminds me of hummingbird feathers a little.
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I wish that little spider would crawl beside my pillow. 
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Thank you. Have you seen the jumping spider plushie made by WhittyKitty (fav.me/d8e9aic )?
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I actually have seen it!
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Thank you! I love them too and will *always* stop and (try to) take their photos!
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Thank you!
That is OK; whenever I show people my photos, I get the "I hate spiders" response a lot.
I appreciate you taking the time to see the gorgeous side of spiders.
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Oh yes, Jumpers definitely blong to the cutest spiders out there.
Such a cute girl you have there, lovely colors, especially on her pedipalps.
I wish we had Jumpers with such a coloration here in germany, but sadly we don't have them *sighs*
And I do all of my photographs without any macro lenses or reflex cameras too
To take good photos you don't need a professional camera. Sure they make awesome photos, but I think
it's not necessary to spend so much money into a camera, especially if you are a beginner
I onced used the reflex camera from my dad and wow, that was so hard to work with that camera :/
Sure you can buy one if you want to, but I think you don't have to 
If you want to get a close up of a Jumping Spiders eye, then I would say: Go for it.
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The hassle of adjusting the setup upon seeing a jumping spider could be avoided if I had a dedicated macro lens, otherwise I think my setup takes pretty good macros.
I just took a look at your gallery, and was blown away!
You are certainly getting great results with the gear you are using!
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Thank you very much 
Everything you see has been shot free handed^^.
Took me years to learn how to keep my hands still, even while being excited
but it does work as you can see 
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I find that tripods are not helpful for me either with arthropod photography.
The subjects have a totally different concept of up and down, so I feel they must be shot by hand.
My hands shake like a leaf in the breeze! ... so that is why I use a bright flash and have a very quick (for macro) exposure time of 1/250 second.
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Same here. And all these animals, especially insects and spiders,
are too fast. They won't wait for you to get your tripod out and prepare everything.
I did that once when I started photographing with my new camera and in the end
every spider and every insect dissapeared before I even got the chance to do one photo.
That's why I have learned to keep a calm hand and shoot every photo free handed^^
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He's so fluffing cute! Tho If I saw him I would run away like a coward cause jumping spiders JUMP.
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They jump so fast that it is more akin to teleporting. I believe this one actually vanished and is now in another dimension.
After this one jumped, I couldn't find it anywhere. I was checking my clothes and hat just in case... I have had spiders crawling up my pant legs or a very lively one stuck in my hair... This is your happy thought for the day! Mwahahaha
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I think that the photo is great despite lack of a macro lens.
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Thank you!
I feel my setup takes pretty good pictures (especially for the price), but if I had something fancy like a Canon MPE 65mm, then I wouldn't have to perform the "Jumping Spider Drill" every time I spotted one...
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I understand. I hope you'll get funds then.
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Really a great shot - impressed with your results using just extension tubes - you must have a steady hand!
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Thank you!
Usually people that see my hands in real life comment on how much they shake...
I also focus by moving the camera instead of turning the focus ring, so it is a miracle I am able to take macros of anything lol
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So adorable
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