First of Spring in Late Winter (Editor's Pick Award)

Sure surprised me! I shot a series of images of Crocus flowers in this style. Not sure of its reception among other viewers, I posted it in the Photo Art Forum for critique. An Editor's Pick award and 250+ views in that gallery, and I decided it better go in the portfolio! This image was made on Feb. 20, 2007-- hardly Spring; it was cold! The flowers are Crocus chrysanthus, the earliest blooming variety. Their 3" height required that I lie motionless on the sidewalk with the camera on the ground. Brrrr. Several neighbors and a passing driver stopped to ask after my health. Not every day does one find a person lying on a sidewalk looking dead. Once they heard my voice and saw the camera, though, all were relieved; and I was left to my (seemingly) eccentric project. I am happy to report that in Seattle people do care if someone looks dead on a sidewalk!

A big thank you to everyone at NPN for your comments and your support of my photography.

D200, 105/2.8 macro, handheld; f5.6, 1/250s, ISO 400, spot meter.
In Photoshop: darkroom adustments; painted in green foliage along right edge of frame to balance the composition. (Not everything grows exactly where you might want it....)