Whilst recently on sand dunes with the person I’m seeing, we walked over to a small grouping of vegetation that looked almost like an island. They saw a few cicada shells around and pointed one out to that they were taking photos of so I got in real close to get my own, as seen below.
I wanted to frame the shell and the bit of wood it was on without the ground or any other vegetation. I felt it would make the photo stronger, and I’m not sure if doing so did, but it has a feel to it that I am having trouble specifically naming. At the very least, there’s a harmonisation between the wood and shell, I think.
This is my submission into the three hundred-and-seventy-ninth Lens-Artists Photo Challenge. The theme for this one is “Favourite Images of 2025“.
The host of the Lens-Artists challenges cycles weekly between the following people:
This one is curated by everyone. The next one is curated by Anne.
I recommend joining the community and participating in the challenges. They’re pretty straightforward, allow room for interpretation, and provide a good way to think about photography in general. If not, however, then at the very least you should check out what others submit to the challenges.
I hope you enjoy.
Stupidity Hole 
I like the composition, the sky is a perfect backdrop to the shiny shell and the wood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you do, John : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you did a great job using this perspective and isolation your subject without distractions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers, Egídio. That was part of my aim, and it was a bit of a challenge to do. I feel I was successful, and it’s still learning in success : )
LikeLike
I like the simplicity
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you do, Nora. Helps keep the focus on the subject.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my, I think I’d be too far away from a bug like that to get a reasonable image SH! Good on you for this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d also normally not get close enough to an insect for a photo this close to them. Good thing it was just the shell : )
Though now I’m wondering how safe it is for cicadas to metamorphose in a space that’s mostly sand. Sure, this was right near a developed patch of vegetation, but that vegetation wasn’t connected to the bushland that was about 20 or so metres away. That’s still distance to fly and exposure to predators.
Ah well.
LikeLike
Unusual, and a clear, focused photo besides, IMO. 👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful closeup shot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teresa : )
I’d planned to talk about all the sand I had to get out of my bag and off the camera after I’d gotten back up. Might bring a tarp with me next time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well at least all worth it. A tarp is a good idea for next time.
LikeLike
Cool photo, so crisp!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Sofia : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the colors – very clear and sharp. The composition works, but it lacks a context for scale. So you’re not sure if this is a small creature or an extra large one. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think there can be too much focus on scale, and in most circumstances I feel that scale should feel organic. I’d like to believe that the bit of wood provides a natural context for scale, as well as the silk threads that are visible. However, I also think that getting into what does and does not provide scale with this photo is pointless as it’s clear by what I wrote and the photo itself that I was quite intentionally trying to capture the shell with minimal distraction, which includes anything that could be seen as something obvious in terms of context for scale.
I’ve been thinking about how to respond to your comment for a few days, because I can’t tell if you’re being critical or not. If you are, then I’m not sure why it’d be criticism about the photo not including what it’s not meant to be including.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the photo. Apologies if this came across as an unsolicited critique. I was just sharing an immediate impression.
LikeLike