This cutaway nautilus shell has a bit of a story, as it’s the centerpiece of a stained glass window hanging I bought many years ago at an arts & crafts festival. I photographed part of the shell by propping the piece up on my kitchen table in front of a north-facing window. This resulted in soft, natural backlighting through the shell (no front fill was used, not even a reflector). I shot on tripod with my lens at a wide aperture because I wanted a soft, slightly glowing look. (Olympus E-300 & Zuiko 35mm macro, f/3.5, 1/40 sec., ISO 100, tripod)
I am a Getty Images Contributor. This image is available for license at Getty Images
Winner of “Shapes & Patterns with Shells” challenge in Shapes and Patterns group (May 2012)
Can’t help but think of mathematics and the wonder of nature when I see this. The form of the nautilus is mesmerizing and it is hard not to be intrigued by that spiraling pattern.
Yes, this is one of the classic Fibonacci curves in nature. Fortunately we don’t have to know the math to appreciate the beauty. :)
Comments
Beautiful! The lighting is fabulous!
Thanks, Tracy, I’m glad you like it!
– Celeste Mookherjee
This is so Beautiful Celeste….inst FAV…..
Thanks very much, Thomas! I added this one today specifically to enter the challenge you came up with. :)
– Celeste Mookherjee
great work Celeste
Thanks, Tony!
– Celeste Mookherjee
Nice shot of the shell.
Looks great.
Thank you, John!
– Celeste Mookherjee
Pretty and a creative approach to the lighting!
Thank you very much, Robert! I am thrilled that you featured this one, with its low-tech DIY lighting. :)
– Celeste Mookherjee
Gorgeous cross-section of a nautilus. Love the lighting! Congratulations on the feature. :)
Thank you, Belinda!
– Celeste Mookherjee
Beautiful image Celeste! Well deserved feature!
Thanks, Elizabeth!
– Celeste Mookherjee
Can’t help but think of mathematics and the wonder of nature when I see this. The form of the nautilus is mesmerizing and it is hard not to be intrigued by that spiraling pattern.
Yes, this is one of the classic Fibonacci curves in nature. Fortunately we don’t have to know the math to appreciate the beauty. :)
– Celeste Mookherjee
What a super image this is Celeste!!
Thanks very much, John!
– Celeste Mookherjee