title: python - how to get the data from an plt.imshow()?
body: <p>I have the following code</p>
  
  <pre><code>import scipy.misc
  import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
  
  a = plt.imshow(scipy.misc.lena())
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>and what I'm hoping to achieve is get the data on lena by accessing <code>a</code> or it's children.</p>
  
  <p>The reason is I'll be accessing the image as <code>plt.gcf()</code> or <code>plt.gca()</code></p>