harold_davis2

<p>One further thought: it's easy to think of reasons not to take photos. But eschew negativity! Think positively. Anytime you are hesitating, just go for it. Start with this assignment.</p>

<p>Great conversation!</p>

<p>True, I live in California where there are flowers in my garden most of the year...BUT some of my best flower photos involve inexpensive flowers from Trader Joe's, available all year round. Here's a recent Trader Joe's special: <a href="http://www.digitalfieldguide.com/blog/1949">http://www.digitalfieldguide.com/blog/1949</a></p>

<p>Also, winter frost creates great effects on flowers like this thistle: <a href="http://www.digitalfieldguide.com/blog/1763">http://www.digitalfieldguide.com/blog/1763</a></p>

<p>Part of the point of a challenge like this assignment is that it should be a challenge, and should spur out-of-the-box thinking. Who said the flower needed to be living? Who even said the flower needed to be floral? Crystal flower shapes on a frosted window would work well for me.</p>

<p>So there are many ways to render unusual flower images even if you live in territory buried under whiteness, and without a florist. Think expansively, and don't be too literal about things! Logic is the enemy of the creative unconscious. At the same time, as poet Randall Jarrell put it, "Art being bartender is never drunk."</p>

<p>Regarding the question of whether it could be a photo that has already been taken, my idea when I gave the assignment was that it would be new work. The point is to spur creativity. However, there are no rules in photography. I'd prefer you go out and shoot something new for this challenge, but I'll look at any work you are proud of, and want to submit.</p>