cover image by Masamori Nagakuma
Introduction
'Mountain Mystery' is a global online photo contest hosted by cizucu, open to any creator registered with cizucu. The contest curates outstanding works from the entries, aiming to discover new talents as a platform and support the community.
'Because it's there' is a famous quote by British mountaineer George Mallory. We are captivated by mountains, we gaze at them, climb them, and photograph them. But why are we so drawn to them?
This contest's theme is 'Mystery of the Mountains'. Some are captivated by their grandeur, others by the diversity of life they hold. Some may find joy in discovering a new self through climbing. We invited submissions that capture the power of mountains.
This time, we welcome mountain photographer ATSUSHI HIRANO as the official curator to select and critique the winning works.
Now, let's introduce the submitted and winning works.
Introduction of Submitted Works
Image by ATSUSHI HIRANO
ATSUSHI HIRANO
'November / Kuju'
📷 OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. | E-M5
cizucu Editorial Team
This is a piece by HIRANO, who serves as the official curator. One of the charms of mountains is the unique ecosystem isolated from human daily life. When people step into it, they can feel a sense of unity as living beings.
Image by Masamori Nagakuma
Masamori Nagakuma
'Mountains Far Away'
cizucu Editorial Team
Is this a mountain photo taken through binoculars? Mountains viewed from afar cut through the sky and tower as if to rival nature. Their grandeur inspires awe in us.
Image by the Oji brown
the Oji brown
'Blocked by Trees'
📷 SONY | ILCE-7M4
cizucu Editorial Team
A shot where dead trees appear to block the path. Perhaps it's not just an illusion, but nature's energy warning us in a form understandable to humans.
Award-Winning Works
Image by ishii
ishii
'Autumn in Gassan'
📷 NIKON D750
HIRANO's Review
A shot capturing autumn in Gassan, Yamagata Prefecture. The scene of two hikers walking through the Tohoku mountains' autumn foliage, with its blend of orange, yellow, and green, evokes a story that makes you want to keep walking. The balance of the drifting autumn clouds in the upper right is also a wonderful composition. It's a work that captures a quietly profound moment that might be missed during a mountain walk.
Image by yuriwochi
yuriwochi
📷 FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD. | SP-3000
HIRANO's Review
A shot capturing the remaining snow season in Tateyama, Toyama Prefecture. The bluish tint of the film photo expresses the pleasant chill and beauty of the snowy mountains. The balance of Kurobe Lake, the Ushiro-Tateyama mountain range, the sky, and clouds is also excellent. It's a work that makes you want to visit the Alps transitioning from winter to spring, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
In Conclusion
How was it?
We were able to see many photos from creators captivated by majestic mountains.
'By climbing with a camera in hand, I was able to recognize once again that there are many ways to enjoy mountains beyond just standing at the summit. The forest where light shines, flowers blooming at your feet, clouds rising, and the white shining rime ice—the charm of mountains is scattered everywhere. Since then, the camera has become an indispensable companion on my mountain journeys.'
This is a quote from HIRANO's interview, and this contest became a rediscovery of the relationship between cameras and mountains. We look forward to seeing more photos taken on mountain journeys at cizucu.
Here are some circles related to mountains
