Defensive Vortex

This shot represents to me some of the lessons I have learned on NPN: Crop out everything that’s not necessary; and the visual impact of abstract designs can be more important than completely illustrating the subject of a photograph.

Most of my photographic experience has been illustrating articles and educational presentations. Unless a photograph’s purpose was to illustrate a small characteristic such as the differences in antennae of two different insects, my objective was generally to show an entire organism, and if possible, its habitat, in one photograph. In retirement, I wanted to expand my photography, and fortunately found NPN to help me do that. After admiring so many artful images in NPN galleries, and reading so many comments to crop, crop, and crop more, I am beginning to learn! This image, showing only part of the large millipede Narceus americanus received the first place 2009 annual Editor’s Pick Award in the Macro/Close-up category. Simple illustration still has its place, but I am still learning that visual impact is more important if you want people to pay attention to an image.

THANK YOU! Thanks to Jim, Donna, and the NPN staff for providing the vehicle for this wonderful learning experience, and for all NPN members for the lessons they so generously share. And last, but certainly not least, my sincere heartfelt thanks to everyone here on NPN for your friendship, support, and encouragement during the most difficult time of my life. I made this image while recovering from extremely toxic chemotherapy last year, and my friends at NPN were a huge factor in getting me outdoors again to share the beauty I find in Nature, even on the ground in my back yard. You all have made a real difference in my life.