Introduction
'Between Light & Shadow' is a global online photography contest organized by cizucu, open to all creators registered on cizucu. Outstanding submissions are curated from the entries, with the aim of discovering new talent as a platform and supporting the community as a whole.
This edition's theme was Monochrome.
Precisely because color is stripped away, monochrome photography brings the contours of light and shadow, textures, and even the atmosphere into sharper relief.
The tension found in strong contrasts, the lingering resonance in subtle gradations.
The boundaries of shadow and the tranquility of negative space are etched into the photograph as a tangible presence.
The works submitted this time showcased expressions unique to monochrome, such as tonal contrasts, the rhythm of shadow, and the quietude of space.
Now, let us introduce the submissions and the awarded works.
Submitted Works
Photo by Jh.wu719
Jh.wu719
Ready to start.
cizucu Editorial Team
The circular framing tightly narrows the field of view, transforming a fragment of the city into an immersive act of 'peering in.' The stripes of the crosswalk inside the aperture and the vertical line of the central pole create a quiet tension, and the addition of a single step by a figure brings a narrative to life. The bold black-and-white contrast is graphic, yet the depth of shadow retains a sense of warmth. This image impressively captures the act of everyday movement as a striking visual symbol.
Photo by Lawrence Liou
Lawrence Liou
Natural playgrounds of the local kids in a small village on the southeastern side of Guam.
cizucu Editorial Team
The fleeting moment of a body suspended in midair becomes a vivid accent against the calm of the horizon and water, leaving a lingering sense of time standing still. The weight of the structure on the left, the roughness of the rocks, and the brightness of the distant sky create a pleasing balance within the frame. The silhouette of the figure, rendered with minimal information, powerfully invites the viewer to imagine the 'reason for the leap.' The depiction of everyday play as a primal memory is masterfully achieved.
Photo by iNo
iNo
📷 SONY α7R II
cizucu Editorial Team
At the delicate boundary between blown highlights and crushed blacks, the flow of people emerges as symbols in a bold monochrome expression. Rather than depicting the main subject head-on, the overlapping silhouettes of backs and surrounding shadows evoke the city's bustle and humidity with remarkable skill. The rhythm between dissolving contours and sharp edges is pleasing, drawing the gaze deeper into the scene. This work elevates an everyday moment into abstraction.
Awarded Works
Photo by Kevin Fan
Kevin Fan
Refuelling
cizucu Editorial Team
The silhouette of a horse, captured from a low angle, rises powerfully toward the negative space of the sky, imparting a striking sense of scale to the entire frame. From the texture of the grass in the foreground to the moisture on the horse's muzzle, the monochrome gradation renders tactile qualities that feel almost tangible. The light is pure and clear, the shadows deep and profound, and within the stillness, the breath of life is unmistakably present. The upward perspective heightens the immediacy of the moment.
Photo by min hwan kim
min hwan kim
cizucu Editorial Team
Mist softly diffuses the light, with only the illumination of the gas station emerging as a white glow—the 'invisibility' itself becomes the subject of this work. The reflections on the pavement and the driving lines quietly guide the viewer's gaze into the depth of the scene, while the silhouettes of trees on the left and distant points of light delicately evoke the atmosphere of night. The blacks are not overly deep, nor are the whites too dazzling, achieving a perfect tonal balance that conveys the density of the cold air. An everyday landscape is vividly transformed into a cinematic stage.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this feature.
The submissions for this contest revealed textures, negative space, and the narratives that drift between light and shadow—qualities that only monochrome can evoke. Each work demonstrated the creator's unique perspective and bold experimentation: the tension born from strong contrasts, the ambiguous contours shaped by mist and reflection, and the audacity to abstract a fleeting moment of daily life. The breadth of the theme was once again made clear.
We look forward to your participation in the next photography contest.