Just my 2c. Mainly because I haven't still participated in any challenge, but I had great pleasure to see the images and to vote them and to read the tips and comments (often making mine). I don't want to raise any flame, but only to state my opinion. The reason why I didn't participate was, in both cases (I'm here only since two months plus change), they were limited to "Bryce only". I feel postwork as an important matter in my images, so I stayed off the challenges. IMO, Bryce is a wonderful tool, and is ever more wonderful because it allows to import meshes, phototextures etc. I mean, I don't think there's any "cheating" going on... in the case one models a mesh into a modelling prog and import into Bryce, what's the problem? Other questions raised by Drac: aiding newbies. I couldn't agree more with what tjohn said. When I was a newbie, constructive criticism was what made my images become better and better. I'm a pro writer, so I have my truckful of experience in costructive and bad criticism about my novels, and the difference between one and the other is not only blatant, but -- I assure you -- deeply felt by the one who receives the criticism. You simply can't criticize an image without pointing out what is good and deserves further tweaking. (Alway MO, of course.) And I agree also with FWTempest on what he said in the above postings. Being judged by this forum as a winner is a big satisfaction and surely Drac couldn't be blamed in saying that he was pleased by that! I would be IMMENSELY pleased to win a challenge! Last thing: I don't think this month's images average quality was low. I spent a great time looking the voting gallery, and I was the first (or second) to express my votes because I simply coulnd't wait to see the whole bunch. But I have to admit that I always wondered if maybe someone could feel bad because I'm voting without participing... hope it's not the case. Stefano