I’ve made it. It’s Day 31. The last day of the first month of the year. I was thinking that the month had really flown by but it hasn’t really. The smallish hangover I work up with on January 1 is but a fond, distant memory.
As too are those lazy, hazy days of beachy summer (the two weeks that we did actually get … sun. Sun where have you been lately and what have you done with my beach?).
The “because we can” long lunches, afternoon naps and early wine times have made way for the crack-the-whip routine of back to work and school.
Ah, January 2012, we kinda had fun. Didn’t we?
I think, yes, we did. And the photos I took for Fatmumslim‘s January Photo A Day (#janphotoaday) challenge prove it.
I’ve floated in pools, lazed on the beach, gone shopping, revealed my handbag contents, not to mention the contents of my fridge … and recorded each moment on each day on Instagram – along with thousands of others around the world.
Amazing stuff.
Anyhoo, here’s what I’ve learned from doing the challenge:
1. I CAN stick to something. Even when one of the days’ themes was Something You Made and the last thing you actually made, as in crafty-sewy, was a drop-waist pastel lemon cotton frock the summer you finished first year uni. So I photographed the tea cup showing the tea I’d “made” instead.
2. I photograph myself. A LOT. My teenagers say this is what’s called a Selfie, which sounds like something young people put in other young people’s drinks at bars but it is not. No, a Selfie is the act of taking a photo of oneself. It’s not as easy as it looks. You may even get a sore arm from holding your camera at just the right angle. And people (especially those aforementioned young teenaged ones) will mock and gaffaw in your general direction when you do. Should this occur either go the Zoolander pout or peace sign with your spare hand. Either action will see them promptly remove themselves from your immediate vicinity. Job done.
3. Other people are REALLY creative. I mean REALLY creative. Say, hypothetically the theme is Reflection. Instead of, say, racking their brain trying to work out how they’re possibly going to get a reflection photo with it pouring with rain outside, they go for the mirror Selfie. REFLECTION. In the mirror. Ah DER! (*Does a Selfie smack around the head*) Why didn’t I think of that?
4. I play favourites with my choice of filters. Earlybird, it just never seems to be your day. You must get so excited as I flick through, past perennial favourites X-proII and Lomo-fi. It’s not you, it’s me. I’m just not that into you. I do love me a bit of Walden, Hefe, Valencia and Nashville though.
5. I AM up for the next challenge. February you may be 29 days this year but I’m ready. What are you going to give me?
Who’s in? I might just start cleaning my wardrobe and bathroom cabinet/s now.
Are you on Instagram? What do you like seeing in other people’s photos?
Comments 32
I loved your photos Nikki! I thought this was a fantastic challenge and enjoyed trying to be creative with each photo, february is going to be just as fun! I’m a self-confessed ‘selfie’ taker, many a photo from night’s out. (ps-my instagram is @imogenw)
Author
Ahhh Selfies Unite, I say!
Hi Nicky
I already do a daily photochallenge, and a fair few of the callenges you have listed have been done by my group.(or variations of). Are there any that you are struggling to find inspiration for? I can set it for the challenge one day and you can pinch an idea.
You can search our pools for inspiration http://www.flickr.com/groups/odc_the_new_one/
Author
Oh thanks Jenny – I do love a bit of visual inspiration!
Like you Nikki, I had a go during January. I am nowhere near as creative as some of the amazing tweeps out there but boy did I have fun with it!!
I’ve already taken my first pic of my ‘view’ today (my drive through the backstreets of my neighbourhood to get to work) and will be continuing….I hope for all of 2012. Why not?!
xx
Author
Exactly! I like that it might help improve my photography too.
bahahaha love the zoolander selfie defence move
Author
It’s a good one!
Hmm. That sounds interesting. I was really into instagram and then just forgot about it. Maybe this is a way to get back into it, although it doesn’t look that easy….
Author
Some days were easy but some required a little more thought. I loved seeing everyone’s take each day!
Thanks for sharing Nikki. I’ve loved seeing your photos this month, and am so excited I get to see another month of them. I hope you’ll play along all year. x
Author
I think I will do just that Chantelle – you are the queen of Instagram!
‘selfie’ ! Love it.
Author
The things I learn from my teens …
I loved the images from your January challenge, and you know what? I think hearing of another challenge for February has been just the thing to get me to finally join instagram! I’ve been meaning to for ages now & I too would like to see if I can stick to something for once, plus I’ve always enjoyed a challenge 🙂
Ok wow, what a blonde moment!!! I seriously didn’t realise instagram was a iphone app…. until now 🙁
Author
It’s an app but it’s also a social media network – the app works both as something to apply the filter but also to share what you photograph with others!
ooh ooh, so this means I don’t actually have to own an iphone to participate?!!
Author
Sorry, yes, you’ll need an iPhone to create instagram photos (there is an android app coming out this year) but Chantelle has said anyone can do the challenge – take photos with their phone or camera and blog or Facebook it – still following the theme.
Lovely post Nikki. Agree with your point about how creative people have been. Some of the shots have been great. I’m up for February. If Chantelle is doing one per month for 2012 I might even see how long I can keep going for. I figure I Instagram everyday anyway, so why not!
See you there tomorrow!
Author
It makes me think of something different for my instagram feed and I like seeing everyone else’s so it creates that networking thing. See you tomorrow!
I’m in, I missed jan but am going to do this one, I’m even trying to get 12 year old daughter and 9 year old son to do it so they can improve their skills. They love photography too.
Author
That’s a great idea! My kids have been interested during January, asking why I was taking a photo of the letterbox, for instance?!
I’m in – just have to join Instagram and work out what to do, but I’m in, in, in!
Author
Do it Liz – get the app and you just have to tag your photos with #Febphotoaday
I am loving these challenges. Sometimes it’s a last minute snap, or you see a moment unfolding before your eyes that fits the theme perfectly. It also challenges you to think outside of the box and work with what you have, and THAT I love.
Author
Me too. It makes me look for things to photograph that I otherwise wouldn’t.
I’m totally in! I only started catching up on my blogs on Jan 2nd so I missed it but I’m totally doing Feb.
Author
Can’t wait to see your photos!
I have really enjoyed the challenge and so up for the next one too!
It’s been fun for me and it’s amazing, as you said, looking at everyone else’s creativity and different take on things…
Hmmm, there were similar selfie comments from this household…pot calling kettle black I believe 😉
As you can imagine I am looking forward to the 23rd, haha
Author
I think you should do a Beach Cottage Shoe Instagram challenge – your shoes for a month!