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by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 24th of November 2025
In order to make 1x an even better platform for learning, growth and recognition, we are introducing some changes to the way images are curated and showcased. These important changes have now been implemented, as announced.
'Attention grabber' by Hans-Wolfgang Hawerkamp
Let’s start with the improved and enhanced curation voting system for greater accuracy and fairness, reflecting the quality and impact of submitted works more effectively.
Curation voting system
Voting
At first glance, nothing has changed.
It is important to note that you can click on the circle with the + sign if you wish to communicate something relevant.
Please do not write here unless you have specific feedback for the photographer. Repeating, re-using or copy-pasting is not allowed and will be removed automatically.
This screen will also appear automatically once in a while.
Please note that the 'graphics' regarding 'What the curators like...' and 'What the curators don't like...' have been removed as they often contradicted each other. However, you still have the opportunity to write an optional curation comment or skip it.
The same rules apply as stated in the previous screenshot: do not write here unless you have specific feedback for the photographer. Repeating, re-using or copy-pasting is not allowed and will be removed automatically.
For some images, an optional critique is requested.
We recommend answering 'SURE'.
Then you will need to rate eight major questions.
The optional request to write an in-depth critique is subject to the same conditions as the curation comments: do not write here unless you have specific feedback for the photographer. Repeating, reusing or copy-pasting is not allowed and will be removed automatically.
Evaluating the critiques given by other members.
Here, you can either skip the critique or give it a number of stars according to its relevance.
Points are given for each handling:
Votes 1 point
Curation comment 10 points
Curation comment (extensive) 30 points
Critique on an image 5 points
Critique written in depth 30 points
Evaluation of critiques by other members 5 points
Louder Showcasing and more transparency
A new status indicator will show exactly where an image is in the curation process — whether it’s under review by members, experts, or head curators. This added clarity helps photographers better understand feedback and progression.
New curation Status – “Accepted”
Images approved by member curators will now be given the status Accepted.
These images will appear on the photographer’s profile page but not in the main front-page gallery.
This creates a more inclusive space for photographers who are developing their craft while still maintaining high standards for publication.
Curation Status - “Published”
Images approved by expert curators will be Published.
These images can be seen by visitors in the galleries for published photos and on the photographer’s profile page.
Curation Status – “Awarded”
Images approved by head curators will be Awarded.
They will be featured on the front page of 1x. This is the greatest achievement on 1x.com.
Important to know about Awarded images
Once awarded by the Head Curators, the image will appear immediatly in the author’s 1x portfolio as awarded BUT it can take about 1-5 days before it will be featured on the front page. Means that your image is in the queue or ‘queued’.
This tiered recognition structure makes it clearer how images are evaluated and celebrated within the 1x community.
We are confident that these meaningful and impactful changes will elevate your experience on our platform.
We truly hope you will enjoy the improved curation and showcasing system, and we look forward to seeing your inspiring work continue to shine.
Thank you for being part of our creative community—may you find great joy and satisfaction
in sharing your art with the world.
 | Write |
 | Subhajit Das PRO Thank you so much for the article. This new format is excellent. Best Regards! |
 | Miro Susta CREW Dear Yvette, I appreciate your explanations to revised photo evaluation procedure, it was a good and necessary move. This "what curators like" and "area for improvement" was very often confusing.
By the way I don't understand where expert curators comes from?
One more question, is 100%yes or 100%no correct? Sometimes I like one photo very much, but because of small error my vote is NO,
I'd prefer to give such photo e.g. 70%YES.
Just my idea. |
 | Yvette Depaepe CREW Hi Miro ... Before the changes, we had member curators and expert curators (just members who are very active in curating). BUT the Head Curators weren't mentioned at all and finallyt they are the ones who can award an image. So ... the expert curators are there since ever and don't just appear out of nowhere.
Your idea of giving % instead of just Yes or NO is not possible in this complexe curation system. A long time ago, curation started that way. It happens to everybody to make an error and click the wrong feature. Looking better to the images before clicking on Yes or No is the solution ;-) Best regards and thanks, my friend! |
 | Anita Singh PRO Thanks for the update dear Yvette |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW My pleasure, Anita! |
 | JA Ruiz Rivas PRO Me alegro que se vaya consiguiendo un sistema más claro de evaluación. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thanks for your appreciation, my friend! |
 | Eiji Yamamoto PRO Dear Yvette, thank you so much for the detailed information, and thanks to everyone involved in this change. I sincerely hope that 1X will be a place of world-class excellence and positive inspiration in the world of photography. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Dear Eiji ... it is already and we are doing all we can to keep it there forever ;-) Thanks for your appreciation and positive reaction. |
 | Thierry Dufour PRO Thank you so much Yvette and the team, this new format is excellent and much easier for photographers to read. Well done everyone !!! |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thank you so much for your positive reaction, Thierry! |
 | Ryan J Hutton PRO Very positive changes, thank you |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Fine to hear, dear Ryan! |
 | Gülay Sween PRO Liebe Yvette, vielen Dank für die ausführliche Erklärung des neuen Auswahlverfahrens. İch finde auch dass das neue Verfahren besser und verständlicher ist. İch habe allerdings bemerkt, dass Kuratoren, es sind 2, immer die gleichen, sich wiederholenden, nichtssagende Kritik ausüben, es wäre schön, wenn diese auch tatsächlich gelöscht werden würden. Zum B |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW I know about this problem, Gülay ... we are working on it ;-) Glad you appreciate the changes ♥ |
 | Hans-Wolfgang Hawerkamp PRO Excellent explanation of the new look of the curation process.
I'm delighted that one of my images was selected. My sincerest thanks, dear Yvette.
The shorter curation time is particularly noticeable and I appreciate that the award emblem is displayed immediately after selection for images in the award queue. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Great to hear you appreciate the changes, Hans-Wolfgang ;-) |
 | Andrew Beavis PRO I think these changes are an improvement, I often had trouble identifying the most appropriate pros and cons for each image, and, as you stated, frequently the most common pros and cons on my own pictures were the same. In reviewing therefore I also like the ability to state and explain simply what I do or don't like about an image. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW thanks for your appreciation, Andrew! |
 | Sam Long PRO Still not clear for learning, what areas should it improve and how to improve. And about the percentage in the curation process, does it mean anything? Thanks |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Dear Sam, if you want to learn, improve, please submit your images to the senior critics. You can do that when uploading your photos. And about the percentage, it is just to give you an idea compared to other uploads and to know what the curators think about your image. But it doesn't really influence the final result (acceptation, publication, awards). |
 | Jacob (Jian) Xu CREW Thank you, dear Yvette and team, for the article and the clarification. These updates are excellent, and the curation process is now much clearer. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Glad with your positive reaction, dear Jian! |
 | Giovanni Cavalli PRO The change is very interesting and useful, compliments for the hard work ansd the effort. A question: are the technical details of each published or awarded image available in this new version? I can't find them. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW No, they aren't for the viewers, Giovanni. Sorry ... |
 | Kristjan Vuk PRO There were some teething problems, but now I have to admit that it’s better than before. I welcome the option to delete the photos that were only Accepted.
It is also a good decision to remove Feelings and What the curators like. The first one didn’t have any deeper meaning, and the second one was most often contradictory.
Many of the comments I received, unfortunately, were not constructive. What I got was mostly copy/paste of the same comments. I hope it will be better now. Keep up the good work. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thank you for your positive feedback, Kristjan! |
 | Gustavo Galue PRO I like the focus on fairness while rewarding in extensive, and in depth comments. This is a welcome update, thank you! |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Glad you appreciate the update, Gustavo! |
 | Douglas Neese
Some new ideas! Thank you.
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| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thank you, Douglas! |
 | Tony Galvin PRO Thanks for these changes. Just a pity the blunt 'Reject' term retained. A simple 'No' or 'Don't Publish' is much less brutal. I may not like a fellow member's work but just don't feel comfortable rejecting it. Just a though |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thanks for your suggestion, Tony ... |
 | antonio vasques PRO Good changes |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thank you, Antonio! |
 | Steven T CREW Thank you, Yvette. The clarification is welcome! |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thanks, Steve. I hope everything is clear, because it was a real challenge to me to explain all details ;-) |
 | Rafael de Vicente PRO Thank you so much for your effort and outstanding quality. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thank you, Rafael. Highly appreciated! |
 | Gabriela Pantu PRO Thank you for article and the effort, dear Yvette, I think the changes are really good.<3 |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW so glad with your positive answer, Gabriela ... |
 | Yuanwei Zuo APA PRO We have reason to believe that these significant and profound changes will enhance 1X’s influence in the global photography world. |
| Yvette Depaepe CREW Thanks for your positive reaction, Yuanwei ;-) |