cizucu Presents 'Zoon In' | Challenge #334

‘Zoon In’ is a global online photo contest curated by cizucu, open to all creators registered on cizucu. Outstanding works will be curated from the submissions, with the aim of discovering new talent as a platform and supporting the community.

This edition’s theme is ‘Zoom’.

How many types of lenses do you own? Telephoto, wide-angle, and more—depending on your subject and the artwork you wish to create, your choice of lens and angle of view will change.
By utilizing specialized lenses such as macro lenses for close-up photography, you can capture worlds invisible to the naked eye.

Zoom is not merely a function to enlarge your subject. The details and textures revealed by getting closer, as well as the negative space and atmosphere created by pulling back, both reflect your artistic intent.

The distance from which you frame your subject can create entirely different narratives, even with the same place or subject.
There is no single correct answer in art. Show us your most exceptional shot, born from your unique approach—whether you move closer or farther away.

mamachan flower
Dahlia

📷 CANON EOS R5 mark2

cizucu Editorial Team
A vivid portrait of a dahlia. By boldly zooming in on a single bloom, you can feel the ‘layers of color’. The gradation from the vibrant orange at the center to the soft pink on the outer petals evokes the energy of life radiating outward like ripples. Through zooming in, the texture of each petal and the beauty of their seemingly calculated arrangement are accentuated.

sachiiiko
When photographing with a macro lens,
the veins and structure of the leaf appear beautifully.

cizucu Editorial Team
A close-up of a fallen leaf captured with a macro lens. It is striking how a leaf, having completed its role and fallen to the ground, can become such a powerful and moving image simply by being photographed in macro. The traces of its life—once producing and transporting nutrients—are clearly etched, making this a work that evokes the cycle of life.

Junya
“Hot Winter”

📷 NIKON Z7II

cizucu Editorial Team
A dynamic shot capturing birds of prey in fierce conflict. The swirling snowflakes, the sharp texture of talons poised for the hunt, and above all, the intense gaze as if their souls are clashing. What would be a mere ‘winter landscape’ in a wide shot is elevated to a raw ‘drama of life’ by zooming in.

TanTan
~ Frost Flowers ~
Snow that fell on Sunday
At the tip of a branch viewed through a telephoto lens,
countless crystals overlapped,
forming a single white.

📷 CANON EOS R6 Mark II

cizucu Editorial Team
Snow piled on a branch, captured with a telephoto lens. Quietly yet proudly blooming ice flowers atop cold branches. With a macro perspective, we can capture the beauty of nature that often escapes the naked eye. The contrast with the dark background highlights the geometric perfection of the crystals, making them sparkle like jewels.

[Contest Period]
Saturday, March 7, 2026 – Monday, April 6, 2026

[Award Announcement]
Around Monday, April 13, 2026

[Reward]
Free participation ticket for the cizucu “Photo Poster Project” (for 2 artists)

[How to Submit]
・Select the contest ‘Zoon In’
・Tap “Agree to the submission guidelines and post”
・Select your submission content and submit your work

[Jury Criteria]
(1) Thematic Relevance: Does the work align with the stated mission?
(2) Subject Matter: Is the photographer’s intent clearly conveyed?
(3) Expressiveness: Does the work demonstrate expressive power in viewpoint, 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?