It’s been 80 years since the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb over Hiroshima. The explosion etched “nuclear shadows” like scars across the city—formed in the likenesses of any people or objects standing in the path of the blast. (80 years later, you can still see the shadow of a Hiroshima bomb victim.)

Oregon-based photographer Will Matsuda was inspired by the legacy of the nuclear shadows. On a recent trip to Hiroshima, he made these images that honor the resiliency of the city and the memory of his relatives, who he only recently learned were killed in the bombing.

To create them, Matsuda held pieces of photographic paper up to objects while quickly exposing them to a light source. The process imprints the shadow of an object on the paper—“in the same way that the violent process of the bomb did,” he says.

The premise of this Photo Ark from nearly a decade ago was that these photos of spiders are so beautiful, they’ll get you to love them. Now, I’m not sure the photos accomplish that tall task, but they really are stunning.

Before you go, watch this for free: Life Below Zero; An exploration of the remote corners of Alaska.

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter, which was edited and curated by William O'Connor with the help of National Geographic’s photo team. It was produced by Alisher Egamov. Did someone forward this to you? Sign up here to catch next week’s Photo of the Week newsletter.