Hi Julien, I like your version much better, the additional contrast and extra leaves makes it a more interesting picture. Unfortunately it is not near where I live, but if I get back there again, I'll try what you suggest, and take more pictures from different angles. I really appreciate your help on this! Sheri
Yes compositionally this is what I had in mind. The shell is less centered, and the lines that twirl around it play a more guiding roll, I think they attract the eye's attention better this way, simply because the main subject is in the corner and leaves more playfield for the lines.
Call me crazy but I like this photo :-) Forgive me for having played around with it a bit for 10 minutes... I gave it a bit more contrast hoping the colours of the stones would come forward better.
If this is near where you live, you might want to pick up some leaves and place them in an imaginable line that gets closer and closer to the shell, not too obvious but just to give it a hint. Tell me what you think of such an idea. :-)