cizucu Hosts 'Illuminate Yourself' Award Announcement | Challenge #138

'Illuminate Yourself' is a global online photo contest hosted by cizucu, open to any creator registered with cizucu. The contest aims to curate outstanding works from submissions, discover new talents as a platform, and support the community.

This time, the theme was 'Backlight', where photographers face the light head-on, not with front light or side light.

Clear light illuminates the shadows of oneself and others, exposing everything to daylight. Meanwhile, the mercy of light can strengthen the recognition of existence for oneself and others. It seems like the photographer is capturing the subject, but they are also capturing themselves.

Now, let's introduce the submitted works and the winning entries.

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Swaying Pampas Grass in the Light

📷 SONY | ILCE-7M4

cizucu Editorial Team
A shot capturing pampas grass illuminated by backlight. The flare adds to the softness of the plumes, conveying the warmth of the scene and the gentle gaze of the photographer. The comfort of standing at the entrance of autumn is well expressed through the backlight.

Tsubasa Mfg
Morning Sun Reflecting on the Window

📷 PENTAX K-1 Mark II

cizucu Editorial Team
A shot capturing the morning sun reflecting on a window. The light, once reflected, gently envelops the inorganic, as if it had always been there, illuminating us. Or perhaps, the sunlight breathes life into the inorganic.

S.Yasu Photo
Illuminating the Sea and Myself, the Breakwater Blocks

📷 PENTAX K-1 Mark II

cizucu Editorial Team
A shot capturing the sunset over the sea. It might be the most straightforward expression of backlight. The decayed breakwater partially blocks the light, sparking imagination about the view from atop the breakwater.

akdl
The end of six months in a foreign land was approaching. Leaving a place filled with friends and memories was sad, but the encounters and memories here are treasures that will continue and grow dear. Surely.

📷 SONY | ILCE-6300

cizucu Editorial Team
A shot capturing light reflecting on the floor of a building. Knowing the photographer's feelings behind the photo, I hope that all the experiences gained here will become a light of hope for the photographer. A bittersweet yet joyful feeling is beautifully expressed through backlight.

Loui
A Boy Realizing the Delight of Mist

📷 SONY | ILCE-7M2

cizucu Editorial Team
A shot capturing a child approaching mist and the light streaming in. The caption reads 'A boy realizing the delight of mist', which made me chuckle. Without backlight, this expression might not have been achieved. It was a wonderful piece humorously capturing the light's performance, as if the boy had made a great discovery on stage under a spotlight.

How was it?
The contest showed that 'Backlight' is more than just strong light entering the camera. Light illuminates our past and future, creates narratives, and offers hope. Next time you encounter backlight, you might expect something to happen.

See you at the next contest!