Question Author
Ok. sorry I neglected a significant chunk of this thread.
To answer Mick Talbot's suggestion of an assignment, how about this:
"Everyday Objects or Scenes That Have Faces In Them".
It could be a heap of folded towels, a curtain, a reflection on a window, a deliberately arranged heap of stuff, something revealed ina bit of sliced fruit ...whatever, get creative, and don't forget: posh DSLR, crappy phone camera, iphone, scan etc. it all counts!
(My one is on the way - give me about 15 min)