{"id":539708,"date":"2026-03-16T08:03:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T08:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/539708\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T08:03:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T08:03:11","slug":"red-ants-can-lift-up-to-50-times-their-own-body-weight-and-this-award-winning-macro-photo-shows-their-phenomenal-balanced-teamwork","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/539708\/","title":{"rendered":"Red ants can lift up to 50 times their own body weight \u2013 and this award-winning macro photo shows their phenomenal balanced teamwork"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nature’s inhabitants are strong \u2013 even if they’re tiny and almost invisible to the naked eye. Ants, for example, are among the strongest creatures on Earth (measuring strength in relation to size) \u2013 and macro photography can give us a glimpse into this hidden world of power…<\/p>\n

One photographer who knows this world well is Dikye Ariani<\/a>. The image, Teamwork, just won the Macro category at the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 \u2013 but if you attended the live announcement at The Photography & Video Show, you may have already heard the news.<\/p>\n

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“This image stood out due to its clarity, color, and narrative,” said jury member Jimmy Cheng, an award-winning portrait and travel documentary photographer. It beautifully captures teamwork and determination in such a small world \u2013 brilliantly observed and perfectly timed.”<\/p>\n

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Macro category winner<\/p>\n

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\"Three
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Close up of Teamwork (Image credit: Dikye Ariani)<\/p>\n

Teamwork by Dikye Ariani<\/p>\n

Tech info
Gear: Sony A7 III<\/a>
Exposure: f\/16, 1\/60 sec, ISO 125<\/p>\n

Ariani explains, “Teamwork Red ants are incredibly strong relative to their size, capable of lifting 5,700 times their body weight. They possess powerful mandibles, painful venomous stings, and can form ‘supercolonies’ of millions.<\/p>\n

“Ants actually have four to five times more odour receptors than most other insects. It’s this exceptional sense of smell that helps ants find food. Shot in Indonesia.<\/p>\n

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\"Sony
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The A7 III is, like the other A7 models, remarkably small for a full-frame camera and features a 24.2MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor (Image credit: Future)The LCE POTY Awards<\/p>\n

The LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards, organized by photo retailer London Camera Exchange, celebrate outstanding photography across 14 diverse categories, including landscape, portrait, macro, street, and more.<\/p>\n

Open to photographers of all experience levels, the free-to-enter competition features a \u00a310,000 prize fund, a People’s Choice Award, and an Emerging Talent Award.<\/p>\n

The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the LCE POTY website.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Photography & Video Show<\/a> continues at the NEC, Birmingham, until Tuesday March 17<\/p>\n

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Discover the best camera for macro photography<\/a> and the best macro lenses.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Today’s best macro shot lens’ deals<\/p>\n