Cute Spiders

This little spider is one of the funniest looking little guys ever! I laughed when I saw his goofy face! What a funny little dude. He almost made my top 10, but I think he is more derpy than cute. So while adorable to to me, I know some would say, "ewww" rather than "awwww" at the sight of him, including my husband. Thank you for sharing I really enjoyed this one! If there was an 11th place this photo would take it!

Congratulations on first place!

I have to say it was very difficult to choose the winner in this contest because there are so many amazing photos!

I decided on this one as the winner because:

• The overall composition with the various branches and flowers, and background shades of blue and black work super well to create the sense of wonder at this tiny world in which such adorable little spiders dwell. A tiny world to us, but to them is a massive place to explore.
• The yellow colors in the flower stem to the left of the spider, match his hair perfectly, yet the blue behind him is a wonderful contrast that make him pop. To me this really makes the overall feel of the image very pleasing.
• Really nice focus. I really like how the spider's eyes and the hairs on his head are in perfect focus, but his front legs and chelicerae are slightly out of focus, but not so much as to be distracting. I think this makes the spider appear more cute, because sometimes perfectly in focus spiders can lean more toward the scary and strange side, but a little bit of softness can aid with the cuteness factor. (As long as it's not too distracting.) I think this image is good example of the right sharpness and softness to get a cute look.
• Wonderful lighting. I love how the spider is highlighted almost like a spotlight is on him.
• The pose of this little guy is just lovely. He is looking slightly up, eyes full of wonder, hunting for prey or planning his next jump, we are not sure, but it speaks to me of hope, wonder, and beauty. It has a story. I didn't really know what "a photo that tells a story" meant when I first joined photocrowd, but it is photos like this one that have taught me just what that saying means. I can look at it and the spider is not just a photo of a spider, but a character in a story! We don't exactly know what has happened or what will, but it feels like it's going somewhere and has something to tell us.

Thank you for this lovely photo!

This photo is really unique. I love how only the spider is in focus and the background appears to be some sort of seed or flower pod, but could just as easily be a flame. I like how everything is orange, brown, and yellow except those bright green eyes. Very mesmerizing. Wonderful image!

Great artistic work on this little guy. Making this little one more fluffy in post was a great idea to enhance the cute factor! Great job with a controlled painterly look that appears intentional rather than just running the image through a filter. Very nice and very cute! Well done!

Saying hello! This jumper really benefited from having all his front legs and face in great focus. I image this was a difficult shot to get because this little guy was likely showing off non-stop to attract the ladies. To us is comes across as a very cute and friendly, "Hello!" Nice unique pose and no distracting elements very nice photo!

What a cozy little home for such a cute little spider! I have to say I'm amazed and impressed that you were able to find this little guy. It looks like it would have been very hard to spot given how well camouflaged he is. I really like the pose, how all his legs are tucked in close, like he's sleeping or resting in this nice little hammock. Very cute! Well done!

Alien or spider? If I had never seen a jumping spider before and you told me this was an alien I might just believe you! I love that it's not entirely clear what we're looking at here. The flower looks really abstract which actually enhances the image a lot and makes it unique and stand out to me. I really like that the eyes appear purple, aiding with the almost alien feel. I like the angle the spider is sitting at too. I think that adds even more interest.

New friend indeed. This little one comes across as super curious at seeing his reflection for the first time. This is just simply an incredibly cute photo and displays how spiders can be just a cute as puppies or kittens. I hope photos like this one help those who think spiders are creepy or gross change their mind.

What a cute little dancer! I love the vibrant background, it makes this spider looking like he's having a great time at a party. This is another photo that has a story even though it's make believe, it works very well. Very creative and cute!

At tenth place we have this little cutie with her long eye-lashes, just a pretty as a little princess on her pink flower. This one comes across as a little girl spider, although I can't tell for sure. I could see this photo hanging in any little girl's room right next to the "hang in there" kitten poster. Very cute! Well done!

This little cutie is the only non-jumping spider that made it to my top ten. Jumping spiders are just too darn cute for their own good!

This little cucumber orb spider is just so dang cute, all cuddled up with its legs all tucked in! Wonderful job at making a spider not as naturally cute appear cute! Love his funny little beady eyes and the way he blends into the leaf. I'm also impressed this was a single shot! Very nice work here!