Flickr user m hoek has taken a series of pictures that seem perfect to celebrate this unusually warm week in January. The unique light flare is the fun result of using a Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim, a plastic toy camera that some have called the “poor man’s Lomo.” The point and shoot can often be found very cheap and is a testament to the belief you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on camera gear to get a great photograph. EXIF.

Just a few more days left to submit your favorite three photos to the 2008 DCist Exposed contest. In just a couple months you could see one of your images hanging at Civilian Art Projects with hundreds of on-lookers ooh-ing and ahh-ing at (and perhaps even getting out their checkbook for) your talented work. Remember, to qualify for the contest we must receive your application and $5 entry fee, as well as your photos, by midnight on January 13. We’ve noticed there are a lot more members of the Flickr pool than the number of applications we’ve received, so don’t delay!