Yesterday I watched an episode of The Grid with Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski. It was one of their blind critique episodes, which I always find a bit irritating (even though I have learned SO MUCH from those two- and this week I get to see Scott in person!). They totally dismissed flower photography, because flowers are naturally pretty and all have been photographed before. And you should never photograph a flower with spotty irregularities on it. I get their point, but there are some wonderful flower photos out there.
My intention was to go down to the waterfront at sunset tonight, but I’m losing steam. In desperation, I took some shots in our yard of an oleander just budding. I know, I know- it not only has flowers, but the most mundane of flowers! But I liked how the late afternoon sun was lighting it. It was windy, which made my attempt to do a macro shot of a moving target a kind of comedy of errors !
Since the oleander is white and the background turned black when I shot it, I decided to turn these into black and whites. Feeling rebellious, I chose to not use the spot healing brush on these flowers, which I normally would have done. There are specks of dirt on the blossom!!!
I like the lighting on this one. . .
and the shape (of the same bud) in this shot.
melinda anderson photography 
You are a rebel ~ look at all those black spots!! 🙂 I say, photograph all the flowers you want.
Melinda, these are beautiful shots. Gorgeous light, gorgeous detail. I love Scott and Matt, too, but it’s your photography and one of the things you excel at is flower photography. And especially macro flower photography. These are interesting, haunting, lovely images. Do not ever apologize for photographing flowers.
I love your spunk, AND all of your lovely flower shots. These are not exception! whatever you do or study, keep your individuality.