We asked our community to help celebrate 20 years of ON1 by submitting their best ON1-edited images from across the decades—and you delivered. The submissions were nothing short of spectacular, capturing moments both powerful and personal, showcasing both creativity and technical mastery.

From emotionally charged portraits to sweeping landscapes, the ON1 community showed the heart and soul behind every image. It was truly inspiring to see how far photography—and our users—have come since 2005.

After careful consideration of composition, subject, lighting, editing techniques, and creative use of ON1 software, we’re proud to announce the top submissions that stood out among hundreds of entries.

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🥇 First Place – Jean-Yves Monard

Golden Gate

In the Artist’s Words:

(Translated) Photo taken during a trip to the West Coast of the United States (I’m French). Having been fascinated by San Francisco, what could be more emblematic than the Golden Gate to illustrate this city? Photo taken on May 17, 2014, mid-afternoon.

Post-processing notes:

ON1 Raw Photo 2025 only, sky change, motion blur on the water, brightening of the small building under the bridge deck, a bit of contrast, sharpness, structure

Exif information:

Why We Chose This Image:

Jean-Yves Monard’s Golden Gate is a masterclass in technical precision and visual storytelling. His balanced use of ON1 Photo RAW 2025 features—sky replacement, motion blur, localized adjustments, and subtle sharpening—elevates an already-iconic subject into a uniquely personal capture. The image draws the eye through the frame with intention, while maintaining an atmosphere that’s both cinematic and emotionally resonant. It is a stunning example of how thoughtful editing can amplify the spirit of a moment without overwhelming it.

🥈 Second Place – Len Greene

Frog Sleeping On an Orange

In the Artist’s Words:

This frog is enjoying a nap in the bright sunshine on an orange in Costa Rica.

Post processing notes:

I took this photo on my farm in Costa Rica in 2017. I used ON1 photo raw to edit the original RAW photo and, after importing it into Adobe Photoshop for some corrections, I brought it back into the latest version of ON1 Photo Raw 2025 for some final touching up before exporting it as a jpg.

Exif information:

Why We Chose This Image:

Len Greene’s whimsical and skillfully composed macro image embodies harmony between natural subject matter and editing restraint. The photograph’s unusual subject—a tree frog resting on a bright orange in Costa Rica—is both attention-grabbing and charming. The subtle retouching using ON1 Photo RAW, layered with gentle corrections in Photoshop and finalized again in ON1, shows the strength of a hybrid workflow while staying true to the photographer’s original vision. A brilliant showcase of color theory, depth, and light.

🥉 Third Place – Al Stegeman

These “Eyes” Are Watching You!

In the Artist’s Words:

This photo was taken in my home studio 01May2025 using Canon EOS R5 Mark II camera and Canon MACRO Lens EF 180mm 1:3.5. Water drops placed on sprig of Baby’s Breath with a Sunflower as the background. Light using SmallRig COB LED Video Light and handheld LED flashlight.

Post processing notes:

Edited using ON1 PHOTO RAW MAX 2025. Cropped the original image, applied Brilliance AI, added Dynamic Contrast to the water droplets, and a Big Softy Vignette to finish it off.

Exif information:

Why We Chose This Image:

This highly detailed macro composition by Al Stegeman stood out for its ingenuity and creative execution. Using water droplets to reflect a background sunflower, the image turns a simple sprig of Baby’s Breath into a surreal landscape of miniature “eyes.” ON1 PHOTO RAW MAX 2025 tools were expertly leveraged to fine-tune contrast and tone, delivering a final image that is bold, crisp, and undeniably captivating. A true celebration of curiosity and creative technique.

Honorable Mentions

The following photographers also blew us away with their powerful submissions. These honorable mentions reflect the diversity and passion within our community.

Volker Gottwald – Look

View The Submission Here

Peter Gude – Incoming

View The Submission Here

Charles Cohoon – ReCoil

View The Submission Here

Antoine Sicot – Falling Leaves, Flying Paws

View The Submission Here

Robert Bowhay – Secretive Hunter of the Boreal Forrest

View The Submission Here

Thank You to Everyone Who Participated

This challenge wasn’t just about stunning edits or award-worthy photos—it was about celebrating the creativity, passion, and history of the ON1 community over the past two decades. Your stories, your submissions, and your dedication are what continue to fuel us.

View the Full Submission Gallery

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And stay tuned for more creative challenges and opportunities to get featured. This may have been a look back—but what’s ahead is even more exciting.