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Object of Meditation
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Object of Meditation

by Howard Cheek

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted November 18, 2013146 views6 comments
A symbol of the sun, the Japanese consider the orderly unfolding of the chrysanthemum’s petals to represent perfection, and Confucius once suggested they be used as an object of meditation. It’s said that a single petal of this celebrated flower placed at the bottom of a wine glass will encourage a long and healthy life:toast:

F/13, 1/200th, ISO 400, Sigma 150mm with fill. The spider's a 'Bold' Jumper (Phidippus audax).

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 18, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Gorgeous little species, and it's great that you caught some of that iridescent green. A composition without the background patches in the lower corners would've been ideal, I think, but I understand it may not have been possible.

Max
Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 18, 2013 at 11:17 AM
Hi Max & thank you!
I had a few other frames with the spider higher up in the flower, but this is the only one I managed with direct eye contact.
This is a minor crop, so not much wiggle room either..
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on November 18, 2013 at 8:44 PM
Another superb spider image, Howard. You could do a fine book of them. I like the contrast between the black spider and the pink chrysanthemum, and the spider is perfectly positioned in the frame and flower with terrific eye contact. The fill employed was absolutely perfect. Fine work. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on November 20, 2013 at 9:16 AM
Man, those are spectacular fangs. Great details in the spider surrounded by wonderful colors. Neat shot!
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Sanjay Sundaram on November 27, 2013 at 1:23 AM
Wonderful detail, Howard. The eyes and color came out great and what a nice perch. Well done.

Sanjay
Registered on April 9, 2013, 107 Posts, 725 Comments
Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 27, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Howard, this is a great shot. The spider's eyes, fangs, and "zebra stripes" are fascinating.

The symbolism of the chrysanthemum might be a good topic around the Thanksgiving dinner table tomorrow, as my wife is from Japan.
:smile:
Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments