Decay and decomposition keep ecosystems under control. Larger entities need to breakdown into smaller parts in order to be used as food or building blocks for other organisms.

In this contest, we are going to take photos of this natural process. We're limiting ourselves to photos of decay in plants, fruits, and objects. This means that tooth decay and any form of animal decay are off-theme. Plants, fruits, and objects that are suffering from a naturally caused decay such as reaching the end of a lifecycle, rotting, rust, mold, fungi... are on-theme. The stage of decay can be freely chosen.

The decay has to be caused by natural elements and must show that the subject is visibly reaching the end of its existence. This means a broken toy, a cut-down tree or sunken boat are not on-theme.

In case it's not immediately clear what kind of decay that your photo is showing, please add the necessary info in the description. For smaller forms of decay, macro photography is your friend.

If you are looking for some inspiration, have a look at this contest on Pxleyes from 5 years ago: Decaying nature.

Good luck!

PS: Try to vote on all entries in the contest. The more votes we get, the more accurate the rankings will be. Also, when you see something on someone's entry that can be improved, let them know. That way, we can learn new skills from each other!

PS 2: Ideas for future contests can be submitted here. The best ideas will be picked and turned into a contest. Make sure to clearly define the rules and objectives of the contest.

Staaan avatarLevel 20
Staaan

If you have any questions/suggestions/comments about this contest, reply to this comment!

Good luck! 👇

9 reactions
Olga.L avatarLevel 17Gold awardGold award
Olga.L avatarLevel 17Silver award
2 out of 24
65%

Past Prestige created by Olga.L

2 reactions
Olga.L avatarLevel 17Bronze awardHeart award
3 out of 24
65%

Last Hurrah created by Olga.L

4 reactions
Olga.L avatarLevel 17
4 out of 24
64%

A Process of Decay created by Olga.L

4 reactions
Zizounai avatarLevel 16
5 out of 24
63%

Abandoned village in the Alps created by Zizounai

3 reactions
Superfly avatarLevel 7
kyricom avatarLevel 13
7 out of 24
61%

Still Strong created by kyricom

2 reactions
Olga.L avatarLevel 17
Olga.L

Your subject is clear, sharp, in focus and the background only adds to the beauty of your capture. A nice tight crop holds our eyes on the detail and patterns of "decay" ( the rust). Your choice of portrait format vs landscape gives greater meaning to the subject elongating it and giving a steady strong feel that goes hand in hand with the cold iron/steel strength. A well-thought-out photograph, nicely composed, nicely cropped and good exposure with natural colour saturation, a winner!

1 reaction
kyricom avatarLevel 13
kyricom replied to Olga.L :

Thank you

kuvitella avatarLevel 8
8 out of 24
60%

Inky Cap created by kuvitella

3 reactions
kyricom avatarLevel 13
9 out of 24
60%

Holiday is Over created by kyricom

Zizounai avatarLevel 16
10 out of 24
60%

Thirsty Greek thistles created by Zizounai

photonut avatarLevel 12
11 out of 24
59%

Decaying Building created by photonut

Taken on the island of kefalonia after they had earthquakes in 1953 and 2014,this building has been left to rot

photonut avatarLevel 12
12 out of 24
58%

Earthquake Damage created by photonut

This was taken on the greek island of kefalonia,they had a serious earthquake in 1953 and another one in 2014,don,t no which one caused this but the building has been left to rot since.

Zizounai avatarLevel 16
13 out of 24
57%

Death of a frozen hydrangea created by Zizounai

Zizounai avatarLevel 16
14 out of 24
57%

A slice of bread drove me over the moon created by Zizounai

Take a slice of bread, put it in a transparent box. Add some sugar and water, place the box over a warm radiator. Put something dark over the box, so the bread will have the impression of being in a cellar. Wait for 4, 5, 6 days, oh my the contest is almost over!!! Take some pics. Close the box and put it back in place on the radiator. Wait for what's going to happen next.

2 reactions
kyricom avatarLevel 13
15 out of 24
56%

Seen Better Days created by kyricom

MyMindsEye avatarLevel 12
kyricom avatarLevel 13
17 out of 24
54%

Dead Apples created by kyricom

denlig avatarLevel 9
18 out of 24
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Where is my life jacket ? created by denlig

This is the ex Yugoslavian Navy Transport Landing Ship DBM-241 now belonging to the Montenegro Navy, seen here in Kotor Bay, Montenegro. The DBM-241 has not been operational since 2005. The photo having been taken in 2015, I don't even know if it is still in one piece!

denlig avatarLevel 9
19 out of 24
54%

On the way to nowhere created by denlig

Olga.L avatarLevel 17
20 out of 24
53%

Post created by Olga.L

Zizounai avatarLevel 16
21 out of 24
53%

Claimed by the wind created by Zizounai

photonut avatarLevel 12
22 out of 24
52%

Decayed Tree created by photonut

photonut avatarLevel 12
23 out of 24
50%

End Of Life created by photonut

Came across these vivid flowers that were wilting and drying up,would like to know what they are.

Vibeke avatarLevel 12
24 out of 24
50%

Circle of life. created by Vibeke

New life developing in a rotting tree stump. Most likely the egg of a White-Fronted Tern, as they lay their eggs on the ground rather than building a nest.

2 reactions

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