Small town Missouri is dreary and cold around this time of year.

Going outdoors is a bit of a chore. No more running out the door at the spur of the moment. One must be prepared, bundled up.

Because despite the chill in the air, there’s still so much beauty to be discovered. Even in overgrown fields.

And along the back roads of rural Missouri, where the smallest of wildflowers still cling to hope and the promise of warm summer days.

But back at home, we’re bundling up. Finding warmth under the covers.

In the arms of each other.

And in the memories we make on the simplest of days.

Freebie and Photography Tip of the Week

We’re bringing you tips, tutorials, discounts and freebies each week in the Poetic Winter Photography Challenge. This week’s photography tip and freebie can be found at Rebecca’s lovely blog, Bumbles & Light. She created a wonderful, easy-to-use Black and White Action exclusively for our challenge. And she’s sharing a little bit of black and white photography insight as well.

Trust me when I say that she’s a genius when it comes to black and white photography.

Her photographs are raw, provocative and have an edginess to them that I just love. I am so pleased with her Black and White Action and I know that you will be too! Head on over to Rebecca’s blog, Bumbles & Light, to download your free action and to learn a little bit about her photography process as well.

You’ll be so glad that you did.

*In case you’re wondering, last week’s freebie texture and tutorial are still available for download if you missed it the first time around.

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Exclusive Discounts From Our Sponsors

Thanks to the following sponsors for partnering with us to bring you these fabulous deals; created exclusively for Poetic Winter Photo Challenge participants and valid throughout the month of February. Click on the images to be taken directly to their sites.

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I’m teaming up with Rebecca of Bumbles and Light, Alicia of Project Alicia and Faith of Sweet Violet for the Poetic Winter Photography Challenge – an inspiring 4-week photo challenge aimed at capturing the poetic beauty of winter through photography.

Just a few details:

All are welcome regardless of skill level, time commitment and geographic location.

Each Friday, we’ll have freebies, discounts to some of the hottest photography resources, photography tips and inspirational quotes or poems to get your creative photography juices flowing.

Share your favorite images inspired by the weekly prompt. The linky will remain open from 9am Friday – 9am Thursday CST. Link directly to your Poetic Winter blog post or Flickr photo, not your blog’s home page or Flickr Photostream.

Feel free to share your photos in our Poetic Winter Flickr Group as well and don’t forget to visit and comment on the previous entry in the linky list.

This time around, we’ll be pinning our favorite photos to the Poetic Winter Pinterest Board. Not on Pinterest and need an invite? Let me know in the comments section and I’ll be more than happy to send you one.

And last, but not least, don’t forget to grab our lovely button.

Next week’s prompt will be Passion. For a complete list of upcoming prompts, head on over to the Winter Photo Challenge page.