Cover photo by Aya
Introduction
'14 Palms' is a global online photo contest organized by cizucu, open to any creator registered with cizucu. The contest curates outstanding works from submissions to discover new talents as a platform and support the community.
The theme this time was Focal Length 1m.
In photography, focal length is not just a physical distance but is deeply connected to psychological distance as well. Whether it's people, animals, plants, or inanimate objects, without interest, understanding, affection, or mutual relationships, one cannot choose to close the distance and capture the shot.
Are you familiar with the word 'palm'? In old England, 'palm' was a unit of measurement using the width of a human hand. Although it varies from person to person, it is defined as 1 palm = approximately 7.4 cm, making 14 palms about 1 meter.
We invited submissions for works that embody this relational focal length of 14 Palms. Don't overthink it; just try shooting a little closer than usual! We look forward to seeing your wonderful creations!
Contest Information
Duration:
March 8, 2025 (Saturday) – April 7, 2025 (Monday)
Announcement of Winners:
April 25, 2025 (Friday)
Reward:
5,000 yen credit to cizucu account (for 2 winners)
How to Enter:
・Select the contest '14 Palms'
・Tap 'Agree to the terms and submit'
・Choose your submission content and apply
Judging Criteria:
(1) Thematic Relevance: Does it align with the stated mission?
(2) Subject Matter: Does the photographer's intent come through?
(3) Expressiveness: Is there skill in perspective, composition, balance, focus, and color?
(4) Moment Capture: Does it seize the shutter chance and timing of the subject?
(5) Originality: Is there unique creativity in the location or subject?
Submissions
Photo by Kazuhiko Watanabe
Kazuhiko Watanabe
cizucu Editorial Team
The simplicity of a single glass. It seems like a trace of someone who was there, or perhaps someone is sitting there right now. The ambiguous 'absence' draws you in. The distance of the gaze directed at the glass, trying to capture the presence, is delicate and the motif is beautiful.
Photo by 穂（スイ）
穂（スイ）
Focus Stolen
📷 FUJIFILM SP-3000
cizucu Editorial Team
The focus is on the man in the back, while the person in the foreground is intentionally left out. This choice reveals the photographer's emotional expression through the distance and composition, showing feelings like awkwardness, familiarity, tension, and comfort.
Photo by kahoru
kahoru
What?
cizucu Editorial Team
The tilt of the bird's neck, its gaze, and its expression peering at us seem to convey a human-like 'inquiry' or 'bewilderment'. The photographer's gaze towards this bird reflects curiosity and respect, which is mirrored in the bird's expression.
Award-Winning Works
Photo by Yuichi Kasagami
Yuichi Kasagami
📷 RICOH GR II
cizucu Editorial Team
The sky and person reflected in the puddle function as a fleeting intersection of 'reality' and 'inverted world'. Approaching a subject is not just about physical proximity but also touching the 'other side' or 'shadow' of its existence, offering a new perspective in this contest.
Photo by Aya
Aya
'Gaze'
📷 APPLE iPhone 11
cizucu Editorial Team
The expression of the boy facing the camera is somewhat ticklish and shy, yet it's a relaxed smile shown to someone he knows. This indicates a definite relationship between the photographer and the subject. The soft light also plays a part in the expression. This 1m is not just a physical distance but a '1m allowed by trust' and '1m invited into the child's small world'.
In Conclusion
How was it? The works submitted this time conveyed the shape of each distance and the warmth of the gaze embedded within. Within the mere 1m focal length, relationships with people and objects, the atmosphere of the scene, and even the photographer's emotions seemed to be captured. Moving forward, let's cherish the scenes that arise by slightly closing the distance in everyday life. We look forward to meeting your gaze in the next contest.
