"Images for each contest should be photographed after the entry start date and before the finish date." [Cynlee is in charge of the Monthly Challenge, so she may have a different perspective on things.] In my view, the Monthly Challenge is something to sharpen EVERYONE's viewpoint. It should be something NEW. I've been photographing for forty-some years. On almost any subject, I can pull something out that fits. But it would not be NEW. Forcing it to be something new in a way keeps us all young; we continually need to challenge our vision. Kick the cobwebs out! Explore where we haven't gone before!