Real Ant Actors hit Spotlight in Andrey Pavlov’s Macro Photography

Ants are everywhere. They are known for being hard working and for doing things together as a team. We cannot doubt that ants are one of the most amazing creatures here on Earth. Their synchronize actions, their ability to trace back home no matter how far they are from it and their commitment to their tasks are indeed fascinating. We can really get a lot of important lessons from ants. When applied in real life, we can all be successful. But we are not gonna tackle on those lessons today. We will be showing you the amazing photography work from Andrey Pavlov with real ants as actors in the scenes he creates.

The story of Andrey Pavlov is as inspiring as the ants. He was a polar explorer after he graduated from the Arctic Faculty of the Admiral Makarov State Maritime Academy. But when his limbs were paralyzed due to spinal injury, his artic expeditions have stopped. During this time, Andrey found a different passion and was inspired by his tiny ant neighbors.

“I studied the ins and outs of digital photography on a square meter of grass beside my country house, with all its inhabitants included. And I was fascinated by them. It was actually the ants that helped me get through the critical situation,” Pavlov said.

With that, Andrey spent time taking pictures of the red wood ants, Formica Rufa, that inhabit an anthill 50 yards from his house using micro 4/3. He would create a scene right in the middle of the path where the ants go in order to get their attention. He would also place a flash light, backdrops and reflectors to complete a scene. He said that it wasn’t difficult to get the attention of the ants because a dummy prey or an enemy will immediately drive the ants to it.

For two to three years, Andrey or Antrey, the king of ants was able to master the skill of photographing live ants. He would even look at the anthill and imagine what kind of pictures he can take from it. He would take around 20-30 shots in an hour if the weather is good but sometimes it also take hundreds of shots. After that, Antrey will add some additional collage in Photoshop. Wanna see how his output looks like? Scroll down and see a showcase of some of Antrey’s photographs which he calls Ant Tales.

Good Morning

Before a long day of photo shots and fun, Antrey says good morning to his little buddies.

Beautiful Life

Yes, it is indeed a beautiful life especially if you get a good view of the rising sun.

Do Not Eat Become Little Man

These ants know the story of Alice in the Wonderland because they think that eating a mushroom will shrink them. How small would they look when shrunk? I just can’t imagine!

Fly

Ants can’t fly but with these leaves and with a big dream, nothing is impossible.

Bears Take Bare Hand

This ant has bear like strength! He can even carry a wood with other ants on it. It must be really strong.

Wild Strawberry

This sure is a delicious pick. I can see a feast on berries after this.

Time to Work and Time to Feast

Work time is also fun time. While taking food for the colony, ants can also take their own doses of sweets.

We are the Ants

These ants are wondering who owns this cone in the forest. Well, we just hope that curiosity won’t kill an ant.

Whose Cones in the Forest

A simple colored stairs which was successfully climbed by the character at the top.

Antrey Was Not

These ants are not just learning to write but they have that initiative on how to innovate paper and pen.

On Duty at Sunrise

These ants are hardworking, they are already up to stay on guard during sunrise.

Is Cool, Lieutenant!

Aren’t they sweet? Well, ants can also be loving.

The Left

Sporty ants playing their own version of volleyball. The cheerers in the background sure made the game a lot more fun!

Ah, Kalinka Malinka-ma-ah-ah-ah-ya-ah!

Seems that these ants are having a great time at the bar! Others are dancing while others are munching on sweet berry treats.

Follow Us On

Gotcha! The pair of eyes will follow these ants wherever they are bound especially that they have a gem with them.

Bon Appetit!

Enjoy your meal little ants. That sweet thing on the spoon sure looks yummy.

Extorters

It would really be bad to work without pay. Fight for your rights little ants!

Loser

The race is over. The winners and the losers are obviously seen here but the loser sure had a bad day with a car wreck.

Bridge

Working together to create a bridge. For sure it will be done in no time.

Tell the Kids a Story, Grandma Bee!

Listening to stories from the old times is always great. Look at how attentive the ants are to Grandma Bee’s story.

House in the Village of

Building a house is much more easier once they all work together. The framework is here now, the entire house will be completed soon!

For the Mother-in-Law Soup, Say?

What happened here? These ants were really up to something.

Leader of the Redskins – 2

Ants respect their leader. Their leaders are also good in dealing with his subordinates. You can see that good relationship in this scene.

Reprisal

A sad scene with one ant to be given his sentence. Look at the other ant that really looks so sad.

First Launching Ever

So the ants have launched something really great and new – with a mushroom.

Softies

Wondering what these ants are up to? Well, it’s like they are going fishing. Maybe trying to get fishes smaller than ants!

Time Watchers

Time keepers are here but what we can actually see are seemingly curious ants swarming around a tiny watch. The sun in the background adds drama to the scene.

Crafty Umbrellas

Wee! Flying high with these lovely umbrellas. Ants can certainly be creative and adventurous sometimes.

Backstage

Hmm..so this is the scene behind the photos. Antrey is quite mandatory!

Host, the Wood For?

Ooppsie! The ants have taken away Antrey’s woods. Oh, he had a hard time axing, do you think these ants are kind enough to give back the woods?

Find the Artist

Andrey Pavlov had indeed developed his passion in photographing ants. The scenes he created were very creative letting the ants act like human while remaining in their own environment. Antrey successfully showed us the intimate world of ants giving us a different perspective of our world in a smaller scale. For sure you had a great time looking at the work of Antrey. You can see more of his photos in his Ant Tales portfolio at LensArt.