February 2025

One month down, eleven to go...

Welcome to February, the month of love. We hope that you are settling in to a photo a day routine. Coming off of all of the end of the year excitement can make starting this daily discipline a little difficult. We promise that it does become easier; rather than being one more task in our days, it becomes something to look forward to, something we miss if we don't do, something that adds a little love to each of our days.

We also hope that you are feeling the love and suppoirt that is such a big part of the 365 Picture Today community. It is amazing how well we come to know and care about one another through sharing a split second of our days every day.

We'll start the month with everyone's favorite prompt, Picture Me. This will be followed by several other recurring monthly prompts--macro Monday, a tecnical challenge, character day. February's color challenge is pink. Also this month, we'll have our first scavenger hunt of the year. There is something for everyone!

February is kind of an "in-between" month, the transition between seasons for many. It may feel like there is nothing interesting to photograph. Remember that most of our lives are made up of the everyday moments, moments that we often take for granted and that are easily forgotten. Years from now, these will be the moments that we wish we remembered a little better. Photograph that favorite pair of socks, winter hat, sweater that hangs on the back of your office chair. Photograph that tree that you've walked past a hundred times. Take another picture of your dog or cat. Take a picture of the little person in your world even though they have crumbs on their face, dirt on their knees, or are throwing a fit. All of those things are part of your every day and deserve a place in your 365 day project.

We wish you a month filled with light and love!

We will be continuing with many of the same prompt categories as last year but we do have a few changes for you to note. We hope you like the modifications that we have made.

MONTHLY CHALLENGES

A PICTURE IS WORTH...

You know the saying that “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words? Well, on the 13th of each month you will have the opportunity to include words in your photo. You can use a letter board, include a saying on a photo using a writing app or even photograph something that has words on it such as a sign. The choice is yours.

PICTURE A CHARACTER

This one is for all you lego enthusiasts! Each month you will be encouraged to break out the lego, playmobil, little people, action figures or any other type of toy character you want to use with your prompt.

IN MY HANDS

We are replacing the monthly Where I Stand prompt with a monthly “In My Hands” prompt. On the 15th of each month, you are encouraged to photograph what is in your hands on that day. You can be as creative as you want but the challenge is to include you hand in your daily photo.

COLOUR WEEK

We are returning back to a colour week instead of just a day. The colour will be introduced on the Sunday and you can include it as little or as much as you’d like during that week. You can choose to include the colour for only one day of the week, three or four days, or even the whole week if you like.

MACRO MONDAY

On Macro Monday we focus on the little details! On the first Monday of every month we are asking you to use your macro skills to enhance the prompt of the day. We encourage you to get in close! You can use your macro lens, macro filters or simply crop your photos.

CHALLENGE DAY

We introduced this prompt last year and it was well received. Therefore, we will continue to include it in our monthly prompts. On this day we will be offering you a photography challenge and ask you to recreate it.

TECHNICAL DAY

This one is for the inner techies in all of us! On Technical Day we will be giving out instructions on specific photography technical skills. There will be a variety of skills explained to help you learn or enhance your abilities. We can all learn from one another.

PICTURE ME

It's selfie day! On the first day of the month, we will be asking you to include a picture of yourself in the daily prompt. This gives us a chance to let our community members know what we look like!

QUARTERLY CHALLENGES

SCAVENGER HUNT

The scavenger hunt is a quarterly challenge. We will give some specific words to use to go camera hunting with. You will be asked to take 4 photos while on your scavenger hunt. This is a fun challenge that also includes your chance to make a collage.

SEASONAL PHOTO – MY WORLD

We will revisiting the My World prompt again this year but it will be quarterly instead of monthly. Once a quarter, starting in January, you will take a picture in the same place. You will be asked to revisit this prompt once each quarter and document the noted changes. This will show the changing seasons or changes in your environment. If you cannot be in the same place each quarter, just take a picture of where you are and what your world looks like on that day.

GUEST PROMPT

Once a quarter will honour a member of our community with a Community Profile and the chance to write a prompt with an accompanying photograph! It is a special day for community members and a chance for all of us to get to know one another just a little better.

February

Day 32 - February 1

Snow

Picture Me

Living in Canada you kind of have to embrace the cold and snow. If you are in a climate where there is snow, get out there and play around today. Throw some snow in the air, make a snowman or snow ball, or do a little shoveling. It's picture you day so make sure you capture yourself playing in the snow. If you don't have snow where you are, show us what the weather is in your area. Maybe you can dance in the rain or splash in the pool. Don't forget to get out and play, regardless of where you are!

Diane

Day 33 - February 2

Help

Who or what is helpful to you? Capture the people or things that help make your life better. Two of my grandkids gave me these mitts for Christmas one year. These two are now 16 and 21 years old. Having this special gift for me helps me to remember all of the good times we have had.

Garnett

Day 34 - February 3

Withered

Macro Monday

Right now, Mother Nature is about to change. Here in the southwest U.S. that change is from the withered browns of winter to the budding greens of springs. It is amazing, however, that when we take a close look at those withered leaves, stems, and pods, there is rich beauty within.

Take a walk outside today. Keep your eyes open for some withered beauty. Get in close and show us the colors.

Kris

Day 35 - February 4

This is mini me and my husband. I put some lights behind us to get some bokeh, and used a cover over my lens with a heart.

What represents you today?

Lee

Day 36 - February 5

Love

The Outer Banks is a winter hot spot for a lot of migratory birds, and I love it when I happen upon one of their hang-out spots!

Share something you love with us today!

Amy

Day 37 - February 6

Tiny

I have to admit - I am a collector. Little bits of nature: rocks, tiny seed pods, interesting dried (dead) seed or bloom heads, you name it and I will pack it home. I purchased this little huckleberry dish on a recent trip to Glacier National Park and it holds some of my treasures. Do you collect tiny things? Show us some "Tiny" today.

Connie

Day 38 - February 7

Are you a baker, or do your cookies come from the bakery or a box? Whichever method you prefer, today's the day to indulge and have yourself a cookie. If cookies aren't your thing I'm sure a grandchild or partner will likely be willing to help you out! If you like, it's a great time to try some food photography. Can you make us say yum when we look at your photo?

Diane

Day 39 - February 8

Vary

Technical Day

Today is our technical day.... The technical challenge today is to take a photo of the same subject in the same location using 3 different lenses and compare your results. You may post all three images or just your favorite capture. If you are using a camera with a fixed lens, try different apertures. If you are using your phone, use different modes... portrait mode or panarama for example. My sample photo was taken with a Lens Baby Sol 45. It's interesting to see how your subject will look with different focal lengths and apertures.

Garnett

Day 40 - February 9

Pink

Picture Color

They say, "when you see red, photograph it." This week, we are changing red to pink. Photograph pink today. And for an extra challenge, add the color pink to each of the week's other prompts and create a "pink-licious" week of photos.

Kris

Day 41 - February 10

Twisted

Extra Challenge: Color Pink

Twisted and pink, that was a bit of a challenge, but at this time of year in our house you can usually find a hyacinth and this one seemed to be too heavy for it's stalk, so was twisted on the table.

What can you find that is twisted today?

Lee

Day 42 - February 11

Little

Extra Challenge: Color Pink

A little bit of color can be just enough...

especially when it comes in such a tasty form!

As Pink Week continues, think about incorporating a bit of it into your day!

Amy

Day 43 - February 12

Message

Color Day

Extra Challenge: Color Pink

A new book of pretty papers had this wonderful message on the first page. What I love is exploring nature and photographing wildlife and birds. What is it that speaks to you today? Is the message written on pink paper or with pink ink? Share the message that resonates with you today.

Connie

Day 44 - February 13

Protect

A Picture is worth ...

Extra Challenge: Color Pink

I thought I'd share a good suggestion should you ever find yourself face to face with a Polar Bear! You must protect yourself by fighting it. Good to know eh! I think I'll just stay right here thanks!

What does the word protection mean to you? What makes you feel safe or what do you do to make others feel safe? It's A Picture is Worth... day so include words in your photo. A sign, a letterboard, even handwriting is just perfect. And for an extra challenge, are you able to add some pink into your photo. It's up to you whether you carry the colour throughout all your photos this week so don't stress too much trying to include too many things in one photo.

Diane

Day 45 - February 14

Heart

Extra Challenge: Color Pink

Happy Valentine's Day! There should be no shortage of hearts to photograph today. If you are participating in our color challenge, make sure to include pink in your image!

Garnett

Day 46 - February 15

Outside

Extra Challenge: Color Pink

Every now and then, the weather is perfect for sitting outside and playing my guitar. Music and nature are good for the soul.

What are you holding in your hands while outside today?

Kris

Day 47 - February 16

Double

This photo of the two geese was taken when the local lake was frozen over and the sun was setting. I like the fact that they are on the diagonal and that there is a reflection so seeing double!

Think about where to position your subjects.

What you are seeing double of today?

Lee

Day 48 - February 17

Stripes

Keep a look out for stripes today and show us the ones you find - it's that simple!

Amy

Day 49 - February 18

You

If you ask family and/or friends to describe you, you will get many different ideas of "who" you are. My instagram name is oldidahocowgirl - I am that, but I am also a sister, daughter, friend, step-mom, artist, photographer, nature lover, animal lover, and very haphazard gardener. I love many things and will try my hand at a lot of different projects. Here I am in my greenhouse, something I have wanted for a very long time (even though I am not a great gardener). Show us a bit of yourself today, one of those tiny little parts of you that are important.

Connie

Day 50 - February 19

Map

Picture a Character

Time to pull the mini figures out and play! It's Picture character day.

Do you still use a paper map? They're getting harder and harder to find. More folks use their phones for maps and directions these days. What is your favourite type of way to use a map? Pull out your mini figure or character and show us what type of map is your go to choice. My lego photographer is trying to decide where her next trip will be. The possibilities are endless.

Diane

Day 51 - February 20

Footprints

If you are living in an area where it snows, this should be an easy prompt! If you don't, it could get more challenging. You may have to go for a walk on a beach, or throw some flour on the ground to walk through! You could make your own footprints or find some left behind by another person.

Garnett

Day 52 - February 21

Frame

Frame can mean many things whan it comes to composing a photo. You can use a literal frame. Or, you can use elements in the photo to create a frame around your subject. In this photo, the frame of the loom frames the weaver, who is the subject.

As you take today's photo, think about some aspect of framing in your image.

Kris

Day 53 - February 22

Easy

My photo is the snowdrops that our outside our front door.

Today the prompt word is easy, so don't over think it, take a photo of something that is in front of you.

Lee

Day 54 - February 23

Brush

Challenge Day

Today is Challenge Day! This is the day that we want you to recreate the example image with your own twist. Use any kind or size of brush and any color or paint medium. If you get a drip, that's even better!

Garnett

Day 55 - February 24

Try

This little cat is one of several feral cats on our property. She is not friendly but follows me everywhere when I am outside. We have tried and tried to get her to let us pet her but she hisses and swats at our hands. I am sure my husband will continue to try and tame her, but I think she is happy knowing she has a good meal and warm place to sleep. How do you imagine the word "Try" today? Is it extra effort, tasting something new or maybe just a quiet attempt at a new task or project. Show us your try for the day.

Connie

Day 56 - February 25

Focus

Today's prompt is focus. I decided to focus on a single object today for my photo. A single tree in the snow always makes for a nice photo don't you think. If you'd like to do the same, find one object and focus on it for your prompt today.

You could also look at other ways to show focus such as making your object out of focus or using in camera motion. The choice is all yours! What will you focus on today?

Diane

Day 57 - February 26

Viewpoint

Scavenger Hunt

Get ready - our first scavenger hunt of 2025 is here! Every quarter, we’ll ask you to capture four photos and create a fun collage that showcases the day’s prompt. I can't wait to see which points of view you choose - the possibilities are endless!

Wondering where to get those collage templates?

Here are a few options and many of them are free and come with a wide variety of customizable templates.

Adobe Photoshop Express - Canva - Collage App - Diptic - Layout for Instagram - PicMonkey - Pic Stitch App - Lightroom - Check out Garnett’s blog post for step by step instructions to create a template

Amy

Day 58 - February 27

Muffin

Take the opportunity today to enjopy the muffin of your choice. Bake it or buy it from your favorite bakery. Don't forget to photograph it before you eat it. You may want to tell the story of your muffin. Photograph it with your favorite coffee mug or teacup. Or, in the container with the bakery's name. Or, in a muffin tin. What does your muffin have to say today?

Kris