cizucu Presents 'February Diary '26' | Challenge #322

‘February Diary '26’ is a global online photo contest curated by cizucu, open to all creators registered on cizucu. Outstanding submissions will be curated, with the aim of discovering new talent for the platform and supporting the community.

This edition’s theme is ‘February Diary’.

The ‘Diary’ series invites you to submit photographs taken in your daily life, accompanied by stories of the day, much like entries in a diary.

A diary is a valuable way to record your life and experiences. Reflecting on your entries allows you to objectively observe your growth and changes, gaining new insights. We encourage you to organize your thoughts and feelings, and share your story.

February is a month where the last traces of winter linger, and the light gradually shifts toward spring. Mornings walking through the cold air, cheeks tinged by the chill; stars twinkling in the crisp night sky. The moment your heart stirs as you gaze at chocolates in shop windows.

In the midst of days that pass quickly, why not capture those fleeting moments as photographic diary entries? The emotions that sway between winter and spring will surely become irreplaceable images unique to this time.

Share the photographs you capture this month from your perspective with the cizucu community. We look forward to your submissions!

tel__11p
On this day, I woke up to a landscape blanketed in snow. Unable to resist, I took the day off work and spent about seven hours wandering around Tokyo, completely absorbed in photographing the city. This is a scene from Shinjuku, the last place I visited that day. My whole body was chilled to the bone and I was fighting fatigue, but I was determined not to miss this rare snowy Tokyo, making this a memorable shot.

📷 NIKON Z6II

cizucu Editorial Team
On a snowy night, a solitary figure walks illuminated by the city lights. The snow piling up at their feet and the falling flakes vividly convey the chill of a January night. Amidst the bustle, there is a sense of solitude and quiet time flowing. Even familiar scenes take on a distinctive atmosphere in this season, emerging with striking presence.

calm…

cizucu Editorial Team
A photograph capturing flowers tinged with winter hues as the main subject. In contrast to their vibrancy, the scene evokes a sense of melancholy and transience. It tells of the presence of life that was certainly there, enveloping the entire image in a dramatic atmosphere. This work seems to capture the threshold between the end and beginning of the seasons.

月うさぎ | Runa
Evening playtime with my beloved cat

📷 FUJIFILM X-T4

cizucu Editorial Team
This image captures a cat seemingly delighting in warmth amidst the cold. The contrast between the soft fur and shadows highlights the gentle flow of time indoors. A moment full of warmth that makes you forget the cold outside—a simple yet cherished instant worth recording in your diary.

Yuka Igarashi
In Hokkaido, February is usually when the cold becomes even more severe, but this year has been unusually mild, with heavy snowfalls but relatively warm temperatures. Still, when the humidity is high, you can witness beautiful rime ice like this.

📷 NIKON D300S

cizucu Editorial Team
Rime ice spreading across the landscape, telling of the crisp, cold winter air. Countless branches delicately outlined in white, as if gazing at a painting. This image seems to encapsulate the tranquility and indescribable emotions that filled the scene.

萩原武流｜ハギハラタケル
Spending February

📷 FUJIFILM X-E4

cizucu Editorial Team
The winter sunlight streaming in and the quietly burning stove create a striking image. Familiar, simple elements like tatami mats and the stove evoke a sense of intimacy. Everyday moments are elevated by light and shadow, captured as a dramatic scene.

[Contest Period]
February 1, 2026 (Sunday) – February 28, 2026 (Saturday)

[Announcement of Awards]
Around March 16, 2026 (Monday)

[Rewards]
Free entry ticket to the cizucu ‘photo poster project’ (worth 6,000 JPY, for 2 participants)

[How to Submit]
・Select the contest ‘February Diary '26’
・Tap ‘Agree to Terms and Submit’
・Select your submission content and submit your work

[Selection Criteria]
(1) Thematic Relevance: Does the work align with the stated mission?
(2) Subject Focus: Does the photograph clearly communicate the photographer’s intent?
(3) Expressiveness: Does the work demonstrate expressive power in perspective, composition, balance, focus, color, etc.?
(4) Timing: Has the photographer captured the decisive moment or timing of the subject?
(5) Originality: Does the work show unique creativity in location, subject, or approach?