As it stands so far we have 5 very excellent entries in Zone II for the monthly challenge..... and only 1 for Zone I.....!! Don't forget you have until the end of February! Let me have more entries! I have noticed over the last few months that the quality of the the entries in Zone II hardly looks like beginner work....and I'm beginning to wonder if we should consider having only one Zone? Yes, no, maybe?.....Just thinking aloud at the moment, but wondering what others think/feel about this as well.

Mich, haven't we warned you about thinking? Uh I tend to agree in a way because where do you draw the line between "advanced intermediate" and "intermediate", although I consider my self an "moderately intermediate". I have only been shooting "seriously" for about a year and a half, and have only had a camera about 2-1/2 years this go round. I did use a Minolta 110 SLR Zoom for a couple of years back in the '70s, but not having shot any pictures in nearly 30 years, it's kinda like starting over. As for "advanced", heck I still don't have a clue to the technical side of photography. I just point the thing, hit the button, play with the settings and hit the button again and hope something ggod happens...DUH!

Hmmm I wanna keep the zones, for my benefit. ;-) hee hee hee (*

Well, I will have a go, in Zone II, but if you go to only one zone, then there is no point in my even thinking about trying. But I can understand why you might want to. Just my 2pennth worth.

Thanks for the thoughts.....like I said it was just a thought and I certainly wouldn't want to scare people off from entering!....we'll keep two zones....it was just a thought anyway!

@Jack.....I know I shouldn't think....it always makes my head hurt!

Ohhh.....I didn't mean to stop you...now I feel guilty, I'm not up to alot of the challenges anyway.......

I think having two levels encourages folks to try, who may be too timid otherwise. [patmartj should NOT feel timid, considering the quality of the work!] Strictly speaking, according to the definitions: "Zone I is for advanced intermediate, expert and professional photographers. People who post to this level are usually experienced photographers. They are shooting with prosumer, or better cameras, and generally have a solid understanding and working knowledge of the basics of photography. Zone II is for beginning and intermediate photographers. This can be defined as still learning the basic technical aspects of making good exposures, and/or learning the basic concepts of composition. Their equipment can run the full range of the spectrum from professional gear to point-and-shoot cameras." ...I should be posting in Zone II, which is where I started posting, (maybe should have stayed there... maybe will go back...) For me, the whole monthly Challenge thing to to see how other folks attack a problem. [This way, when I come in dead last against the Big Guns I need not feel too bad!]

Hug Awww....don't feel bad....sometimes I think out loud and I value your opinion....you have a valid point. And I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want opinions. I'm sure others feel like yourself and might be too intimidated by the thought of entering because there were only one level there.... We would never up and change things anyway unless everyone here could agree.... we like to be democratic about these things. :~)

Sorry, but even after all this time I find the terms 'Zone I' and 'Zone II' misleading and confusing..... can we call a spade a spade and call them 'Beginner' and 'Advanced' again? Just for those like me...... Cheers Mike (",) (And just to dispel the rumours, this has NOTHING to do with the fact I won 3 months running under the old headings, and hardly got a vote when it changed to 'Zones'. Course, entering some time in the last 6 months may have improved my chances, I'll admit, but still.........)