Complete A Visual Diary: Unexpected Daily Photos Of Anything

The last 365 daily photo visual diary I was a part of was back in 2014. I had so much fun that I wanted to do it again. My visual diary for 2025 will be broken down by month with a different theme for each month.

My Goals For My Visual Diary

Improve my photography and digital photo art
Challenge myself creatively
See the beauty in the ordinary
Try different techniques
Get out of my comfort zone
Take at least one photo daily,
process photo in Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop,
upload photo to social media (instagram and facebook) to share with others.
learn camera inside/out
setting my white balance
getting comfortable with using high ISO
more knowledgeable with Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop

Theme for January

For the month of January it is “A Visual Diary Of Anything”. Which means the genre of photography is open to anything.

For example:

street photography,
macro photography,
nature photography,
newborn photography,
water droplet photography,
dog photography
self portraits

Whatever interested me that is what I took a photo of. Along with sharing my photos I will also be sharing my settings for each image and providing a bit of a backstory.

January Visual Diary Begins

Week 1 Daily Photos

01-01-2025 Squirrel having first meal of 2025

Started the new year strong. What better place to start taking photos: My front porch with a cup of steaming hot coffee to start the day. There a ton of squirrels running around, burying and unburying there nuts. This one was up in the oak tree eating on a nut. I manually set the White Balance.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED
ISO 2500
focal 500mm
f/5.6
1/320 sec
White Balance 7429

01-02-2025 Brown Pelican flying over the water

I was fortunate the following day to be next to a body of water. Saw this adult brown pelican teaching their youngster how to dive. At least that is what it seems they were doing. They would just skim over the water then crash into the water over and over. I loved how I caught this one skimming over the water.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED
ISO 400
focal 500mm
f/5.6
1/1000 sec
White Balance 4950

01-03-2025 Female Painted Bunting checking out the bird seed

On this beautiful morning while sitting on the front porch drinking my coffee I was greeted by this female painted bunting at the bird feeder. Luckily I had my camera already set up. Isn’t she beautiful?

Lens AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED
ISO 800
focal 500mm
f/5.6
1/320 sec
White Balance 6400

01-04-2025 Mabel the Dogo Dane napping in a sunny spot

Got back from taking the fur babies for their 4.5 mile walk. Saw Mabel (Dogo Dane) taking a nap in a sunny spot in the family room. I immediately grabbed my camera to take a shot. She was none the wiser.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.8G
ISO 100
focal 85mm
f/2.5
1/800 sec

Week 2 Daily Photos

01-05-2025 Blue Jay quenching their thirst in the bird bath

I started out trying to catch birds coming to the bird feeder when this blue jay landed on the bird bath. Luckily I switched gears to capture this pretty guy.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED
ISO 800
focal 500mm
f/5.6
1/500 sec
White Balance 6800

01-06-2025 Droplets of water dropping into a blue cup full of water

Tried my hand at some water droplet shots. Used a blue coffee cup filled with some water. Then had a bag full of water that I poked a hole to start the dripping. With camera set up on tripod and the flash to the left I shot away. Took a lot of shots until I felt I had a few good ones. I will definitely try this again at a later date.

Lens AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8G ED
ISO 400
focal 105mm
f/5.6
1/250 sec
White Balance 3000

01-07-2025 Man walking down street with their underwear showing

While running errands with my husband I brought along my camera to try my hand at street photography. So glad I did. I caught this guy walking down the street holding up his pants even though he has a belt. His underwear was very bright and colorful. Decided to process it black and white with only the underwear in color. My girlfriend came up with a very good title for this image “Southern Saggus Pantus exhibiting his bright red mating plumage”.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 100
focal 200mm
f/5.6
1/800sec
White Balance 7029

01-08-2025 Orange-Red Flower with some beautiful bokeh in the background

Almost didn’t get my daily photo today. Grabbed my camera and just walked around the yard to find something to take a picture of. This was hand held. This is the flower of the honeysuckle bush.

Lens AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8G ED
ISO 640
focal 105mm
f/5.6
1/800 sec
White Balance 6450

01-09-2025 Motion Blur of a body of water along I-95

On our way up to St. Augustine for the birth of my first grandson. I knew I was not going to have time to take any photos once I got there since I would be visiting my daughter in hospital and taking care of their dogs. So I decided to try some abstract motion blur while riding in the passenger seat. Came across the body of water. Had my f-stop set high to slow the shutter speed down. Then move the camera up while we drove by. Really like the feel of this one.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.8G
ISO 64
focal 85mm
f/16
1/10 sec
White Balance 6450

01-10-2025 Tangled Vines in an old oak tree

Another day where I didn’t have the time to spend taking a photo of anything interesting due to the fact my daughter was in hospital that day bringing in my first grandson. What an exciting day it was. Picture not so much.

Lens AF-S 85mm 1:1.8G
ISO 100
focal 85mm
f/3.2
1/1250 sec
White Balance 7321

01-11-2025 Taking a Selfie in Rearview Mirror

Took a selfie in the rear view mirror while waiting for my husband to grab food to take to the hospital for ourselves and my son-in-law who has not left my daughters side.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.8G
ISO 500
focal 85mm
f/3.2
1/200 sec
White Balance 6800

Week 3 Daily Photos

01-12-2025 Swaddled Newborn in hospital

The day after my grandson was born. Took this in the hospital room so the lighting in the room was horrible. Corrected the lighting in Lightroom. Also, cleaned up his face to remove his battle scars from the birth.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.8G
ISO 800
focal 85mm
f/2.5
1/200 sec
White Balance 3429

01-13-2025 Mabel (Dogo Dane) and Gyda (GSP) out for a walk

On this day I decided to start carrying my camera with me when I take my fur babies for their 4.5 mile walk. I termed the walk as my dog/photo walk. We are getting exercise and I am getting some good photographs. Thought this old bridge at the closed golf course would make for a great shot.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 1000
focal 18mm
f/3.5
1/160sec
White Balance 7600

In July 2022 I made the decision to convert all my dog photos to black/white when uploaded to my dogs Instagram account, @gyda_n_mabel.

01-14-2025 Pair of Merganser Ducks swimming in a nearby pond

On my 4.5 mile dog/photo walk I came across a pair of Merganser Ducks swimming in a local pond. Wishing I had my big lens but it is too heavy to carry on my walk with two dogs. Had to crop in tight.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 250
focal 200mm
f/5.6
1/1600sec
White Balance 5600

01-15-2025 Black Vultures hanging out next to garbage cans

Next day, while on my 4.5 mile dog/photo walk I came across a pair of Black Vultures sitting on the fence around the big commercial trash bin. Not pretty birds but they do look good in black and white.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 250
focal 200mm
f/5.6
1/200sec
White Balance 6100

01-16-2025 Egret looking for fish

While walking on the pond during my 4.5 mile dog/photo walk I saw this white egret through the brush looking for a fish to spear. Converted it to black and white so the bird stood out more.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 3200
focal 200mm
f/5.6
1/2500sec
White Balance 6100

01-17-2025 Two Mottled Ducks In-flight

The day before I stumbled upon this bird photographer, TravInTheBush. Who was providing for free his “Bird Photography Settings Cheat Seat”. I immediately signed up to receive the cheat sheet. So glad I did. It made me even more comfortable to use higher ISO in order to get my shutter speed where it needs to be in order to catch birds in flight. So while on my 4.5 mile dog/photo walk and with my new found knowledge I set out to catch birds in flight. Came across some Mottled Ducks swimming in the water. Got my camera ready for when they took flight. They did not disappoint. This was all hand held. Such beautiful birds. Love the patch of color in their wings.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 640
focal 200mm
f/5.6
1/2000sec
White Balance 6800

01-18-2025 Female Painted Bunting looking pretty at the bird feeder

The female Painted Bunting came back to the bird feeder. Not sure it was the same one. Tried to catch her in flight but after this shot she didn’t come back.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED
ISO 2000
focal 500mm
f/5.6
1/800 sec
White Balance 6400

Week 4 Daily Photos

01-19-2025 Dancing Sandhill Crane in the field

While on my 4.5 mile dog/photo walk I came across a pair of Sandhill Cranes doing their mating dance in the field. Guess what? You guessed it? I stopped to take some action shots with my new found knowledge from TravInTheBush. This is all hand held shooting.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 640
focal 200mm
f/5.6
1/2000sec
White Balance 5250

01-20-2025 Three Mottled Ducks In-flight

Went out again to shoot some more birds in flight. Came across the Mottled Ducks in the water. Got myself ready for when they took off. This time I caught three Mottled Ducks in-flight.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 2000
focal 200mm
f/5.6
1/2000sec
White Balance 6300

01-21-2025 Raindrops dropping into Bird bath

Today was raining so I did not go on my dog/photo walk. Noticed the raindrops falling in the bird bath. So I decided to try to catch some droplet shots.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 3200
focal 170mm
f/7.1
1/2500sec
White Balance 6700

01-22-2025 Red-bellied Woodpecker taking flight from birdfeeder with seed in beak

Another rainy day so I was confined to my front porch yet again. Decided to see if I could catch some birds flying into the bird feeder. Lucky for me the Red-Bellied Woodpecker obliged. Love how he has a seed in his mouth and is flicking water behind him.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED
ISO 6400
focal 500mm
f/7.1
1/1600 sec
White Balance 6100

01-23-2025 Male Cardinal sitting pretty in palm tree

Visited my son today. We had to drop some of his stuff off. He always has birds in the woods behind his townhouse. So I made sure I had my camera at the ready. Good thing because I caught this beautiful male Cardinal up in the palm tree. He was such a bright red. Love these birds.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 2000
focal 200mm
f/5.6
1/500sec
White Balance 7800

01-24-2025 Carolina Wren sitting under bird feeder

Beauty of having a bird feeder off your front porch. You are usually guaranteed to have bird somewhere near by. This Carolina Wren did not disappoint. Almost didn’t see him. Love how he is looking right at me. I had to move real slow while I got into position.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED
ISO 6400
focal 500mm
f/7.1
1/2000 sec
White Balance 6100

01-25-2025 Flesh Fly Sitting on Green Leaf

So frustrating when I realize I haven’t taken my daily photo and I am running out of light. Grabbed my camera with my micro lens and headed out to see if I could find an insect or something. Came across this Flesh Fly sitting on a green leaf. Had to crop in tight during post processing.

Lens AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8G ED
ISO 800
focal 105mm
f/5.6
1/2000 sec
White Balance 6800

Last Week Of January Visual Diary

01-26-2025 Red Damselfly Sitting on White Fence Post

Set out today in search of another insect besides a fly. Came across the Red Damselfly sitting on the white fence post.

Lens AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8G ED
ISO 1250
focal 105mm
f/7.1
1/1000 sec
White Balance 5500

01-27-2025 Baby freshly changed on Changing Table

Went to stay with my two week old grandson. Love him so much. Such a cutie pie. He was born with a full head of hair. Hope he keeps it.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 2500
focal 27mm
f/5.6
1/40 sec
White Balance 6100

01-28-2025 Baby with Pacifier during changing

Instead of trying to do a newborn session I did more of a lifestyle session. I just took photos of my grandson everyday in the middle of whatever my daughter was doing with him.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.8G
ISO 3200
focal 85mm
f/3.2
1/200 sec
White Balance 6450

01-29-2025 Baby napping on mother

Little sleepy head.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.8G
ISO 4000
focal 85mm
f/2.5
1/320 sec
White Balance 4100

01-30-2025 Burping baby after a feeding

Getting burped by Grampa.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 1000
focal 120mm
f/5.3
1/40 sec
White Balance 3900

01-31-2025 Mother taking baby for a stroll

Enjoying an afternoon walk with my daughter and grandson.

Lens AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED DX
ISO 125
focal 95mm
f/5.3
1/400 sec
White Balance 5250

Anything Goes Visual Diary for January has come to a close

The month of January went by too fast but I am happy to report that I successfully took at least one photo a day. In addition, I am getting more comfortable with my camera and processing the images. So looking forward to continuing my visual diary in February. Below is a compilation of “A Visual Diary Of Anything” for January. It is so cool to see all the photos I have taken for the first 31 days of 2025

The last time I did a 365 Daily Photo challenge was back in 2014 with the my_365 community on Instagram. Check out “Goodbye 2014: Completed My First 365 Photo A Day” for some inspiration. Couple of other Photo A Day challenges can be found here:

For my visual diary in February I am doing Faceless Self Portraits. This should be fun and challenging. Hope you enjoy this journey and are inspired to do your own visual diary. Enjoy!