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Message from our founder Ralf Stelander, and from the management
Published the 24th of June 2026 by Head Editor Yvette Depaepe
1X has always celebrated creativity, personal vision, and meaningful artistic exploration.
Our strength lies in our photographers, who push themselves to create unique images through their choice of subject matter, composition, light, storytelling or emotion.
by Laura Mexia
Recently, however, a growing trend has emerged that deserves reflection. More photographers are submitting multiple versions of essentially the same image: a colour version alongside a black-and-white version, or a series of nearly identical photographs where only a very minor detail differs.
Experimentation is a vital part of artistic development. The issue arises when multiple versions of the same creative work are presented as separate submissions within a curated community whose purpose is to showcase distinct artistic achievements.
A color image and its black-and-white conversion may offer different emotional interpretations, but they originate from the same moment, the same composition, and the same creative decision. Likewise, a sequence of images captured seconds apart, differing only by a slight change in expression, posture, or crop, rarely represents a new artistic concept. Instead of expanding the diversity of the collection, such submissions can unintentionally reduce it.
The value of a curated platform lies in encouraging photographers to make creative choices. Selecting the strongest interpretation of an image is itself part of the artistic process. Presenting several variations dilutes the impact of the work.
This principle is reflected in the spirit of the 1x FAQ and submission guidelines, which emphasize originality, uniqueness, and meaningful distinction between published works.
The intention is not to discourage experimentation but to encourage photographers to share their most compelling final vision rather than multiple versions of the same idea.
A strong portfolio is not built on variations; it is built on distinct creative statements. Each image should justify its place through its own visual identity and artistic purpose. When photographers focus on presenting their strongest interpretation rather than every possible interpretation, the entire community benefits.
As photographers, we all face the challenge of deciding which version best represents our vision. That decision can be difficult, but it is also an essential part of the creative journey. By embracing that responsibility, we help preserve the standards, diversity, and artistic integrity that have long defined the spirit of the 1x community.
Read here the entire FAQ
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 | Turgan Gürmen PRO I would like to thank you for bringing this topic to light. Ever since I joined 1x, this platform has contributed immensely to my growth as a photographer.
I think that the artistic process naturally includes the responsibility of selection. No matter how many frames I shoot of a single subject or scene, I always challenge myself to find and submit the absolute best one. I honestly find it hard to comprehend the satisfaction of getting multiple, nearly identical versions awarded or published. I think the true joy lies in pushing the limits, getting published and/or, if possible, being awarded for completely different, unique frames that tell new stories.
I believe this shouldn't just be about hard system restrictions or technical bans. It is about fostering a collective artistic consciousness within our community. Otherwise, we will get lost in endless, debates like "the subject looked right in this one, but turned left in that one." In my opinion, the real solution lies in practising self-control and setting our egos aside.
On a final note, I believe there is another pressing issue that affects the quality of our community: Yesss, the copy-paste comments problem. We frequently see generic "nice" or "good job" remarks, and sometimes even absurd automated responses like praising the "vibrant colors" of a black and white frame. Are there any solutions being considered for this, or will we have to wait for a similar community consciousness to develop here as well? |
 | Yvette Depaepe CREW Thank you for your appreciation, Turgan. Regarding the copy/paste comments, if they are detected, a warning is sent to the relevant members. Recently, we made it impossible for some of those members to comment. You can always report this to one of the moderators or to support. |
 | Miro Susta CREW I fully agree with this idea except the color and monochrome version of the same photo. Why shouldn't we post both versions of the same subject. It,shouldn't be forgotten that published photos are not only for display in 1x photo gallery but these photos are also for purchase. I'm sure that they are many buyers preferring black-and-white white version and also many preferring color version.
For example I love black-and-white architectural and also special landscape photos.
Read my recent article "Black-and-white photography" for better understanding.
Summarising my commentar to color versus black-and-white, the author shall decide which version has better chances for sale, because this more important for many photographers than the number of positive comments.
Please think about this. Thanks 😊 |
 | Ralf Stelander FOUNDER Hi Miro, you have a point when it comes to selling prints. However, in that case try to select what fits best for each scene, color or black and white and try to upload a mix of color and black and white photos (but not of the same scenes) in your portfolio. We have had this rule ever since 1x was started in 2007, but it might not have been clearly communicated, especially to newer members. |
 | Marko Klavs PRO I highly welcome this move. Lately, it has been hard to miss the flood of nearly identical shots the same photo in both color and B&W, or series differing only by a slight crop or pose.
While experimentation is essential, choosing the final, strongest image is a crucial part of the artistic process. Doing this yourself rather than leaving it to the curators strengthens your vision. Uploading multiple versions doesn’t show diversity; it only dilutes the power of your best shot.
Fewer duplicates mean a cleaner, more inspiring feed with more room for unique stories. Kudos to the 1x team for keeping the standards high! |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thanks for your appreciation, Marko !!! You nailed the goal of this article. |
 | Heike Rompf PRO I can certainly understand the criticism, especially since I’ve sometimes had these same thoughts myself during the curation process. But on the other hand, I’ve also found that when I look at my own older photos, my perspective on the subject and the image’s expression has changed over time. So every now and then, I’ll edit them again, even though the original image is still the same. In my view, this new edit is essentially a new image, and I’m entitled to upload it.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version) |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW No problem, Heike ... I think many of us are going through the same process. This is not at all what is ment in this article and the members who are concerned will certainly know. |
| Ralf Stelander FOUNDER Hello Heike, it's possible to reupload new versions of already published/awarded images, so if it's a new edit of an old image I would choose that approach rather than upload it separately. |
 | Manuel Gayoso PRO Hello everybody, I agree with Ralf´s concern in general, but, you know, sometimes just one photo can´t express all the idea you intend to tell, I like geting a theme and work it with different photos, what in general is called a "series", I personallly have published on 1X a serie "Tango", a serie of pubs, coffes and bars, a series of different photos of the "Coeforas" play at the greek theatre in Siracusa, and so on. I think there shoud be a place for that kind of work (the series), like a new category and uploading all the serie together... I know this is very different from the actual staus, upload procedure and curation process... it´s just an idea for the future
And to finish, I want to thank all the work the head curators are doing in this site |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Dear Manuel, this is not at all about series which are generally accepted (submitted one by one). This is about real similar images submitted in an endless raw or indentical images uploaded in colour and BW. Thanks for your appreciation ;-) |
 | Kazutoshi Ono PRO I’m a photographer who takes pictures of my two cats at home.
Since I take these photos at home, the backgrounds inevitably end up looking similar. Also, because I’m photographing the same two cats, even though they aren’t a series of photos, they can sometimes look very similar.
Would this still violate the recent rule change? |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW No if the poses of your cats aren't too similar, my friend. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW In fact, there is not rule change at all. Creativity always was the mean purpose. It is just a warning for some members who certainly will know this article is ment for them. |
 | Cláudio Vicente PRO But yes, Ralf, I’ve seen a lot of identical images with different edits. But this is just one (minor) issue among many that are really bad on the site—a site that prides itself on the extraordinary quality of its photos.
On the other hand, we see images on Ai—street photos without meaning or relevance to the viewer. Photos with absurd crops, images with horrible edits and no quality whatsoever. For me, this topic/alert about identical images with different edits is one of the less confusing issues for 1X members—and I speak for myself—but these are members who pay an annual fee to have their photos published, yet they spot all these inconsistencies in the photo publications.
Ralf, a word of advice: visit the forum more often and read the complaints from your site’s members. |
 | Chong Q. Wu PRO Exactly 👍 Time to eliminate the Accepted Category! If it’s accepted, it is published. Otherwise, kick them out. |
| | Cláudio Vicente PRO I was more concerned about award-winning images created by AI—no one really understands yet how those images are selected. |
| Ralf Stelander FOUNDER It's strictly prohibited to upload images generated by AI on 1x. There is a big banner informing about this when you upload. We investigate when we suspect AI and it has lead to some users being entirely deleted from 1x. However, it can be quite difficult to spot AI since it's getting better and better. |
 | Alberto de la Cruz PRO It makes perfect sense, and I think what is being requested in this article is necessary. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thank you, Alberto! |
 | Peter Krenek PRO I understand your intention not to have very similar photos on the site, but I do not fully agree about not being able to publish photos taken on distinct occasions. For example, I have a series of mainly sunset photos from the same location, with the same composition, but the light, clouds, wind, waves and other elements showing the location in a different context. Do you discourage us from submitting such work? |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW No Peter, it is about images which are really similar to each other with very small differences. Not about landscapes from the same spot with other weather conditions and other perspectives. |
 | Oscar Lopez PRO That’s a very good point Ralf. In that very same spirit you should enable the delete function and let the photographers decide which photographs to remove from the gallery. By doing this you ensure respect for the photographer’s artistic vision and choice. |
 | Petra Dvorak PRO Very good point, dear Ralf and Yvette!
I have unfollowed photographers on other platforms because of this issue. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thank you, Petra ;-) |
 | Cristiano Giani PRO Right. I agree... |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Fine, thanks for your understanding, Cristiano! |
 | Bruce H Wendler PRO I see so many non-inspiring bird shots of taking fish out of the water, nothing original there. And the same bird attack mode so how it that original. So, if no strict rules on originality then the asian women smiling having picture taken will keep on coming. I remember with landscape, taking ice on black sands was a rage for a while, but then they lost their originality after a while and they stopped coming. Rules need to be even across the board. |
| Ralf Stelander FOUNDER These motifs usually don't get awarded. However they tend to get very high scores from our members voting. There are all sorts of trends in photography and when we get a lot of a certain theme we start becoming more and more restrictive about publishing and awarding those. |
 | Rana Jabeen PRO Dear Ralf and Yvette
This is a very important point, thank you for highlighting this.I have been here on 1x for years ever since my 'beginner' days and I have enjoyed being here for the original and quality work ,also most importantly images with individual style. It was always a visual treat to scroll images and learn so much.Recently I have also started noticing 'almost similar' images in the feed and it is a good time to focus on this. Hope we can work hard to experiment more and brush up on our creativity.
Best regards
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| Yvette Depaepe CREW Dear Rana, I'm so glad that you also noticed this new trend. We want to preserve the creativity on the site and hope that this article will be a wake-up call. |
 | Tore Johansson PRO Dear Yvette, I have noted the managements comments. But I would like to ask, if I come to a special set up with people, taking 50-100 maybe more photos during some time, can I only upload one of them? I normally upload a few from such a session (if I think they are good enough). They shall of course be diffferent from each other, another angle, look etc etc. If only one, I have to consider leaving 1X im afraid. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Of course you can, Tore. It's just that we have to avoid 10–15 images from the same shoot that only differ slightly (for instance, a model looking to the right and an identical image of the same model looking to the left, or the same image in black and white and in colour). We know your work, so don't worry. Part of your creativity is choosing the very best, which is what you have always done. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW I fully agree with Rana's reaction, Tore. That is really the reason of this article. Warm greetings, Yvette |
 | Hemanta Swain PRO Improve the image curation system by making it adaptive and skill-aware. The platform should first assess a user’s skill level, preferred genres, and demonstrated interests based on past interactions and curation history. Using this profile, it should dynamically select and present images that are appropriately matched in difficulty, style, and genre relevance.
Introduce a performance-based feedback loop where the system tracks curation outcomes—such as accuracy, consistency, aesthetic alignment, and genre correctness—and converts them into a “curation proficiency score” per genre. Based on this score, the system should continuously adjust the selection of images shown: guiding beginners with simpler, more structured sets, and progressively challenging advanced users with more nuanced and ambiguous compositions.
Over time, this creates a personalized learning and evaluation path where users are not randomly shown images, but are instead guided through a structured progression of curation tasks tailored to their strengths, weaknesses, and evolving expertise. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW That is another matter, dear friend. Avoiding that members upload several versions of awarded images is a first and important step, also a strong message to the member curators, the expert curators and the head curators not to accept it. |
| Ralf Stelander FOUNDER A great idea, but very technically challenging. We have something like what you describe in place, but not equally advanced. |
| | Hemanta Swain PRO Perfect! Also I have some recommendation.
Improve the curation system by personalizing image selection based on each user’s skill level, genre preference, and past interaction history. Track performance across genres to build a curation proficiency score, and use it to adapt difficulty and style of images shown. Beginners receive guided, simpler sets, while advanced users get more complex and nuanced selections. Over time, the system should continuously refine image delivery to match user growth and strengths. |
 | William Trainor I stopped submitting to 1x several years ago. Part of the reason was that as I examined the selected images every day, I had found a remarkable number of similar photos selected as though "Unique" was not a regular part of selection. That made me wonder how the selection process was done. I suspected that the committee allowed individuals to "Select" based on their image preference. So Bird day, Spiral staircase day, portrait day, Street day, Landscape day etc. Since I found 1x, I have examined most of the "Selected" images daily in order to see what the world of photography was doing, hoping to improve my image selection and projects. I commented a lot of times about that issue and even did some analysis of the image choices with hundreds of the selected images. I am glad that this issue is being raised and hope that the process of selection raises the level of importance to images with unique intent. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW We hope to see your work here again, William and of course, the selection process will be correct and more efficient. |
 | Vladimir Funtak PRO I agree 100%. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Glad with your positive reaction, Vladimir. Cheers, yvette |