cizucu Presents 'Nothing But One' | Challenge #389

'Nothing But One' is a global online photo contest presented by cizucu, open to all creators registered on cizucu. Outstanding submissions will be curated, with the aim of discovering new talent on the platform and supporting the community.

This edition’s theme is .

Try narrowing your photographic subject down to just one.
One flower, one chair, one window, one back.

By intentionally excluding the multitude, the form and texture of the subject, the light that falls upon it, and the surrounding negative space begin to quietly speak.

Even the most ordinary presence, when gazed at intently, can rise up imbued with meaning unique to the individual.

Show us the you have discovered through your lens.
We look forward to your submissions.

Sam Ting
Dog walking moment.

cizucu Editorial Team
By focusing solely on the single dog running toward the camera, the joy and dynamism of the moment are conveyed directly. The background softly dissolves, and the texture of the grass and the diffusion of light further accentuate the presence of the subject. The dog’s flapping ears and lolling tongue as it approaches exude a sense of familiarity and trust that transcends words. By engaging with just one subject, the charm and vitality of its existence fill the frame.

sho sato
Heart

cizucu Editorial Team
By focusing on a small heart drawn on the asphalt, an ordinary street scene is transformed into a moment that makes you want to pause. The faded white lines, the roughness of the ground, and the interplay of light and shadow highlight the warmth of the hand-drawn mark. Even if it’s not a grand event, having an eye for the 'one' in the corners of everyday life can make the world appear a little softer. This work conveys the joy of such discoveries.

@nickydaphotography

cizucu Editorial Team
A single butterfly perched on a wall of neatly arranged tiles. By narrowing the gaze to this small presence, an unexpected sense of life emerges from the inorganic background. The quiet negative space created by the repetition of tiles delicately accentuates the color and form of the butterfly, generating a subtle tension across the entire frame. By not including many elements and focusing on just one subject, a fleeting moment that might otherwise be overlooked is remembered as a special encounter.

Mushi
—Asuka III—

📷 SONY α7 III

cizucu Editorial Team
The composition, with a single ship illuminated on the night sea beyond the circle of a lifebuoy, is striking. While the focus is on 'one ship,' the red lifebuoy in the foreground acts as a frame, making the subject stand out even more. The shimmering lights on the dark water and the glow of the ship approaching from afar evoke the anticipation of departure or arrival. Through negative space and framing, this image imbues a single subject with narrative depth.

Boon Chew Low

cizucu Editorial Team
A solitary child standing in a vast expanse of negative space. By focusing solely on this figure, an ordinary street scene is elevated into a quiet narrative. The monochrome play of light and shadow sensitively draws out the subtle tension of the moment before stepping forward and the sense of movement toward somewhere unknown. The shadow stretching along the ground appears as another expression of the subject, adding depth to the frame. By not including many elements, this work invites us to imagine the solitude, strength, and the time that lies ahead in the gaze of a single presence.

[Contest Period]
July 18, 2026 (Saturday) – August 17, 2026 (Monday)

[Announcement of Awards]
Around August 28, 2026 (Friday)

[Reward]
Free participation voucher for the cizucu 'Photo Poster Project' (2 recipients)

[How to Submit]
・Select the contest 'Nothing But One'
・Tap 'Agree to Submission Guidelines and Post'
・Select your content and submit your work

[Jury Criteria]
(1) Thematic Relevance: Does the submission align with the stated mission?
(2) Subject Focus: Is the photographer’s intent clearly conveyed within the work?
(3) Expressiveness: Does the work demonstrate expressive qualities such as perspective, composition, balance, focus, and color?
(4) Timing: Does the submission capture a decisive moment or opportunity?
(5) Originality: Does the work demonstrate unique creativity in location, subject, or approach?