‹ Previous Gallery of the Month Gallery Next ›

December 2012 GOTM

Gallery: Gallery of the MonthPosted November 20, 20121,421 views16 comments

snail on leaf

original title, i'd reckon. check out the L A R G E R version for details.

i've commented occasionally and have loved much of what i've seen but my lack of photographic productivity has dissuaded me from posting anything for a while ... busy times here in uganda.

anyway, here's a snail on a large leaf in mt elgon national park in eastern uganda, just after a heavy shower of rain. she/he/it/hermaphrodite thing was fairly cooperative and didn't budge too much in the 1s exposure.

thanks for looking. hope you enjoy but let me know your thoughts.

thanks.

hasselblad 500c/m, 32mm extension tube, 150mm lens, b&w film.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on November 20, 2012 at 11:49 AM

Brilliant photo Stuart. At first from the thumbnail I thought the little spot would be like a frog silhouette from behind the leaf, but this was a great surprise. I love the detail in the snail shell and that you presented this as a B&W, great choice.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on November 20, 2012 at 12:12 PM

I love the tonal range and detail and of course the tiny snail adds a lot of interest. Large view is a "must see". Beautiful B&W film image Stuart.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 20, 2012 at 1:20 PM

This is AWESOME! Kind of allegorical...

I posted the B&W BTW

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 20, 2012 at 1:26 PM

Stuart,

Great to see an image from you. This is simply awesome! Now, a very big leaf? or a very small snail? I can't figure out which. Almost tempted to put this in Macro....

Really though, this is simply outstanding. Not only a great image, but a fabulous nature story. Incredible work - thank you for sharing this one. Hope to see more when you get a chance!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on November 20, 2012 at 2:12 PM

This is incredible! The slight 'grainy' effect makes this look like a drawing (a very good one, at that)... The comp is perfect, and I love the pose of the little guy...

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on November 20, 2012 at 2:43 PM

This works beautifully Stuart, excellent detail,even on the little snail. Very nice.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on November 20, 2012 at 3:18 PM

thanks to all!

actually, youssef, i was drawn to the light in the leaf and it did cross my mind that a little tree frog would be great - only to find this guy/gal/hermaphrodite thing here.

lon - yes, big leaf - very big leaf - and Mr/Mrs Average Snail. i should get a little opportunity to put up a few other images in coming weeks ... but will be planning on putting together another annual portfolio pdf early next year ...

thanks eva, stan, nathan and john&patty as well!

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Karsten Wrobel on November 20, 2012 at 3:39 PM

absolutely stunning, Stuart... masterfully simple comp... and what crazy proportions...

Registered on November 1, 2008, 117 Posts, 851 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on November 20, 2012 at 5:29 PM

this is wonderful. looks like the little guy is climbing a never-ending stairway. nice job

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 20, 2012 at 6:25 PM

The tonality is reminiscent of work from the 50's, and totally cool. I really like all the grey in this as drama is not necessary to tell this story. Poor little snail, it's life is one hill after another. Hmm, kind of like ours.

Probably not a landscape image per se, but it is pure art!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on November 20, 2012 at 9:30 PM

thanks morris. it's always a dilemma where to stick these images - wildlife wouldn't have it (they're mostly into fluffy things), nor flora (they're into flowery prints). it's not really macro (heck, we're looking at 18" from corner to corner diagonally here). and certainly the folks from RMNP wouldn't have it). So it was dropped in here, where it and I feel at home! And apologies to all for stereotyping ....

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 20, 2012 at 10:40 PM

Earth, Sea, and Sky Not, but I love how that snail appears to be navigating a different kind of landscape. What an eye to see and capture this!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on November 20, 2012 at 11:22 PM

Great b&w image! The perfectly placed gastropod really makes this special.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on November 21, 2012 at 12:36 AM

Awesome! Excellent in every regard!!!

CHris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on November 21, 2012 at 6:34 AM

I have to echo Youssef's comment,,,,,BRILLIANT! Even though it is small the snail commands full attention before exploring the beautiful textures and tones in the leaf and the square comp is perfect. A simply wonderful image!

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 21, 2012 at 12:26 PM

Wow!...this is fantastic, Stuart. Excellent work on this comp and I'm really enjoying the look of this b/w film along with the amazing detail and texture! Beautiful work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments