I don't believe for one minute that any of the contests here "are Fixed". I do believe that there is "vote" padding but I enter when I can,anyways, simply because it gives me an "idea", to do an image. I really don't worry about "winning", if I do, that is Grand, but If I don't, that's ok too. I feel like you do, Vivianne....the picture that was chosen would not have been my choice, (although, I did think it was good) but I was not the final judge, so.....I accept the decision that was made. You really, have to keep it in your head, that you are doing this for "fun", if losing a contest makes it "Un-Fun" for you, then.............maybe.......you should not enter anymore? You can't take it personal, as there is/was Nothing wrong with your image.....it was just the judge of the contest didn't choose it. I don't know if the "community" votes had anything to do with it or not, but I have to give "Sprinter" the respect that she/he deserves, and say, that the winning image was the one that he/she likes most, for what-ever reason he/she feels. That's just my two cents, and I entered the contest too, didn't win, but don't have any problem in Not being the chosen one. (: For me it was the "challenge" and I had fun, soooo, I didn't win..........Oh Well! (: genny