I like the patterns in this one, especially how the black sand is making its way up the shell in a similar shape as the end of the shell.
Just a thought, but if you were to have an artist brush or something to remove the random black specs of sand on the body (other than where it's creeping up), it may look a little cleaner.
Thanks for commenting , the plan was to clone the random specks and leave the end just as you describe but in reality ... I'm too lazy and now it seems like too much work .
great capture of texture. it almost looks like the top of a fingerprint.
i don't have a problem with the few specs of sand on the shell, it allows you to feel as though the sand is slowly revealing the shell as opposed to you just laying a purchased shell there.
At first glance. I didn't like the specs, but now think I could live with them. Have you tried Curves or some more contrast to give the pattern a bit more definition?