First of all as the originator of the idea of these monthlies, let me say this: They were not designed to push anyone into a "competition" mode, but to encourage us to view the world a certain way and try to capture that on camera. I had gone on a sunday shoot and saw so many many possibilities for the oddest things, and thought we could all learn this way. These monthly competitions are not about being the best here, because often times what one likes another does not as is evidenced by voting. Alpha, I enjoyed your courage in your post. It takes guts to spell it out exactly as it is. Raw, hard, unflinching, and true. Reminds me to keep in mind an old proverb or thought about "never judge a man till you walk a mile in his shoes". I applaud your singlemindedness that in the face of adversity, you kept hold of one thought and carried it through. With what was going on in your life, this would be extremely difficult to do, and you did it, you walked out the other side, and this is not an easy thing to accomplish. I know. Slynky in all honesty, I think its fantastic you are working on a pinhole camera, I've seen people here get amazing results from them, and find that creativity, and desire and end results are astonishing. However, I feel it would be detrimental entirely to this forum to end those monthly contests because for a handful of you that cant stand the thought, there are a handful of others that are learning, and love it. As far as the category goes, I've never done reflections except for eyes, and it was one that was put up for suggestion, and nobody said otherwise. I am saying think in terms of group. This is a forum, as a whole, perhaps there are people here who are not as familiar with doing something that others have done a thousand times. If you know something through and through and you are tired of the subject, know that there a hundred others who don't and want to learn about it. Perhaps you could share your knowledge of such a subject and help another along to achieve that knowledge and get to another point in their efforts. Photographic subjects are endless, but we are thinking of moving along as a whole. So we always have to remember that not everyone is at the same point. These are just my thoughts for what they are worth. Syyd