Female orchard orbweaver #3 (this morning's photo)

[Mousetoescamper]

This is the best of my attempts at photographing this tiny spider. There's nothing more I could do--given the limitations of my camera gear, techniques, and the lighting in the spider's shady home--to get a better photo. I suppose I could use one of the new photo enhancement tools that can turn a mediocre shot into an AI masterpiece with the click of a button, and might even be able to fool some viewers into believing that I did the work. But I would know that it's inauthentic and could take no pride or satisfaction in posting it here to get recs and praise.

Every photo I've posted here over the past 3+ years is mine, has been finished with the most basic of post-production tools, and is offered to you for free. If my photos seem amateurish to you, that's because I am an amateur with no pretensions of being a pro. I'm self-taught, experimental in my approach, make the most of the gear I own, and usually keep it local because I don't have the resources to travel (plus, I have an elderly cat in need of daily meds).

Rant off. Thanks for your indulgence.