Green Hours
‘Green Hours’ is a global online photo contest organized by cizucu, open to all creators registered on cizucu. Outstanding works will be curated from the submissions, aiming to discover new talent as a platform and to support the community.
This edition’s theme is “Moments with Greenery”.
When we encounter nature or greenery, we simply want to admire it and take a deep breath.
The flicker of sunlight through leaves, the sound of foliage swaying in the wind, the greenery hidden between city buildings.
Such “moments with greenery” gently unravel our feelings and quietly bring calm to our hearts.
Sometimes, a fleeting memory or emotion may quietly resurface.
Share with us the “moments with greenery” you have discovered, through your photography.
Your image may offer someone a small breath of fresh air in their daily life.
We look forward to receiving your submissions.
Inspiration
Photo by Suzuki Kousuke
Suzuki Kousuke
Center of the World
📷 LEICA Q2
cizucu Editorial Team
The generous negative space embracing the green lawn and the blurred, melting contours of the figure create a truly soothing atmosphere. Like a landscape flowing by in the wind, this photograph captures a moment where all tension leaves the body and only breathing remains. Precisely because the image is not sharply defined, the air of the scene and the sense of “liberated time” are conveyed directly.
Photo by saciiiko
saciiiko
Remarkably, the plants
were vibrantly reaching out to us
in the light filtering through the shade.
📷 SONY α6000
cizucu Editorial Team
The light piercing the darkness gently illuminates each leaf, inviting a quiet breath. The depth of the shadows accentuates the softness and freshness of the green, calming even the viewer’s gaze. Even the most ordinary greenery on a wall can become a “moment with greenery” the instant it is touched by light. This photograph offers such a realization.
Photo by はくらく
はくらく
At my shrine, the rice used for offerings is cultivated from planting to harvest in a designated paddy called the Shinsen-den. This year, the ritual of planting the first seedlings for offerings, the Otaue-sai, was held.
📷 Panasonic DC-GH5M2
cizucu Editorial Team
You can almost feel the weight of the mud and water in the hands, reminding us that green is something that grows. The freshness of the seedlings and the warmth of human hands side by side in the frame bring the start of the season closer. Like a deep breath after touching the earth, this image quietly brings calm to the heart.
Photo by KITA
KITA
Nature’s Canvas
📷 RICOH GR III
cizucu Editorial Team
The shadows of dappled sunlight on the white wall are captivating, as if visualizing the path of the wind. Amidst the orderly forms, only the greenery sways freely, allowing both gaze and spirit to gently unwind. Even in the midst of urban life, “moments with greenery” that invite a deep breath are always close by. This photograph offers a quiet assurance of that presence.
Photo by eriko
eriko
Beyond the Green Curtain
📷 Canon EOS KISS M
cizucu Editorial Team
The gaze looking back from within the lush greenery by the moist waterside is truly striking. The view peeking through the leaves seems to quietly signal, “I found you,” making one instinctively hold their breath. The flow of time in a tranquil place and the presence of living beings are simultaneously conveyed, making this a calming image for the soul.
Contest Information
[Contest Period]
Saturday, June 20, 2026 – Sunday, July 19, 2026
[Award Announcement]
Around Wednesday, July 29, 2026
[Reward]
Free participation voucher for the cizucu “Photo Poster Project” (2 recipients)
[How to Submit]
・Select the contest ‘Green Hours’
・Tap “Agree to Submission Guidelines and Post”
・Select your content and submit your work
[Jury Criteria]
(1) Thematic Relevance: Does the work align with the stated mission?
(2) Subject Focus: Is the photographer’s intent and message clearly conveyed?
(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 ingenuity in location, subject, or approach?